Tape, the Multipurpose Decorating Wonder

Stop thinking of tape as something to peel off when the paint is dry. Masking, painter's and duct tapes now come in all sorts of killer colors and peppy patterns (seriously, there's even blue lace patterned masking tape!) This very inexpensive hardware store item upgrade has not slipped by the crafty designers, bloggers and homeowners around Houzz. They are sticking tape around the house and leaving it there. Here are eight great ways to get stylish with tape.

Create a stunning faux tile mosaic wall. Upon first glance, I'd swear this was a very expensive floral tile design from Italy, however, it is made from very carefully cut and placed pieces of tape.

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Add some personality to a vase or jar. These clever tape borders pick up on the colors of these happy blooms. Tape now comes in all sorts of patterns; my personal favorite is the Japanese masking tape called Happy Tape. Another great tablescape use is to add a custom tape border to plain placemats.


Create an inspiration "board." This way, it can be as small or large as you want, in any color you like for about one-one thousandth of the cost of a bulletin board. Plus, taping off a rectangle won't damage your walls or require you to find a stud behind the drywall.


Frame your child's artwork. Painter's tape now comes in vibrant colors and can provide temporary frames that won't damage your walls.


Give your snapshots a casually cool tape up. These little ripped pieces are somewhat haphazard yet punctuate the picture wall with pleasing swatches of pink and blue.


Blogger Anna Beth Chao used her keen eye for graphics when adding this grid of photos to her bath. Little dashes of pink tape hold them up and pick up on other colors in the bath.


Make your own wall decals. Personalize a wall with artful use of colored and patterned tapes.


This is also a good strategy for temporary holiday decorating.


You may also opt to outline an existing board with a unique tape design.


Use patterned tape to customize your gift wrapping. I have used Happy Tape to enliven plain old brown paper packages many times myself. I'm not the least bit crafty but it makes me look like I am. Only a little unrolling and some quick tears are required.

Learn how to make these decorated mini gift bags


Wrap your furniture in duct tape. A cool and very inexpensive way to take dormitory quality furniture to modern art status is with duct tape. Give a bench bold stripes, a table some Mondrian-esque blocks or a plastic chair the good old fashioned silver duct tape treatment.

Are you showing off some tape stripes around the house? If so, please share with us in the Comments section.

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