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Spotted! Creative and Clever Ways to Decorate With Washi Tape
There's more to this little roll of Japanese paper tape than pretty stationery
Chiquit Brammall
26 May 2017
Design journalist and freelance editor. Dollhouse architect. Serial renter.
Originally made by the Japanese from the fibres from the bark of the gampi tree (Diplomorpha sikokiana), the mitsumata shrub (Edgeworthia chrysantha), or the paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera), washi tape comes in a wide variety of colours, patterns and even widths. Now also made using rice, bamboo, hemp or wheat, it’s easily removable (except when stuck to thin papers like wrapping tissue). This makes it a great tool for decorating when you’re a renter, like to change up the way your space looks every so often, or have fast-growing kids who will quickly outgrow their spaces.
In the play area
Add your own customised graphic to demarcate a play area within a room, like this washi tape house outline does for the toy shelving.
Add your own customised graphic to demarcate a play area within a room, like this washi tape house outline does for the toy shelving.
In the study
In a small room, you may not have enough space for decorating as you’ve maximised the walls (note the shelves-desk system here). Washi tape allows you to add a cohesive and continuous design to the cabinets, such as the skyline on the glossy laminate-covered cabinets here.
In a small room, you may not have enough space for decorating as you’ve maximised the walls (note the shelves-desk system here). Washi tape allows you to add a cohesive and continuous design to the cabinets, such as the skyline on the glossy laminate-covered cabinets here.
For a mini picture gallery
Create a polaroid gallery on a sliver of wall using washi tape to affix your photos. You can even update them seasonally for a change of mood.
Create a polaroid gallery on a sliver of wall using washi tape to affix your photos. You can even update them seasonally for a change of mood.
Mark out a notice board
Who says you can’t put up a notice board just because you’re not allowed to drill into the wall? Create a border using washi tape, and put up pegs, hooks and framed items using renter-friendly 3M Command strips.
Who says you can’t put up a notice board just because you’re not allowed to drill into the wall? Create a border using washi tape, and put up pegs, hooks and framed items using renter-friendly 3M Command strips.
Graphic ‘headboard’
No art to hang above your bed? No problem – create one using washi tape. Instead of ‘Sweet Dreams’, a favourite quote of yours will make the space even more personalised.
No art to hang above your bed? No problem – create one using washi tape. Instead of ‘Sweet Dreams’, a favourite quote of yours will make the space even more personalised.
Colour your light switch cover
Pop some fun into a serious electrical piece with some creatively-attached washi tape.
Pop some fun into a serious electrical piece with some creatively-attached washi tape.
It’s a sign
Add some cheeky signage throughout your house using washi tape, such as this ‘here’ arrow in this photo.
Add some cheeky signage throughout your house using washi tape, such as this ‘here’ arrow in this photo.
Geometric artwork
Work out some of your OCD-energy by taping a perfectly symmetrical, straight-lined art installation on one wall.
Work out some of your OCD-energy by taping a perfectly symmetrical, straight-lined art installation on one wall.
DIY wallpaper
Seemingly random slashes of washi tape create a grand entrance for this home – sans the costly wallpaper.
Tell us
Have you decorated with washi tape? Share a photo of your idea in the Comments section below.
Seemingly random slashes of washi tape create a grand entrance for this home – sans the costly wallpaper.
Tell us
Have you decorated with washi tape? Share a photo of your idea in the Comments section below.
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