Every home starts out with barren walls. Deciding what to hang on them can be a challenge at first, until you realize that walls are the perfect place to display pretty much anything you desire. Doing so provides your space with a very personal touch. Consider the following ideas the next time you can’t decide what to put on your walls.

Frame drawings that your kids have created or if you still have them, frame your own childhood drawings. These look great in family rooms, hallways or stairwells. As your collection grows, swap out older work with newer drawings for a fresh look.

Commission work from art students at local colleges. This is often a win-win opportunity because it helps such students create their portfolio and provides you with one-of-a-kind art at an affordable price.

Shop neighborhood art festivals for unique items to hang in your home. You’ll be exposed to all sorts of art from beaded wall hangings to metal sculptures. The choices may inspire you to take a chance on something new and different for your home.

Hang your favorite collections on the wall. Whether it’s pretty china plates, old metal signs or pictures from your favorite calendars use the wall as a canvas to showcase your interests.

Go crazy with paint! Buy an inexpensive artist canvas from the local craft store and have fun spattering paints, creating geometric patterns, swirls and polka dots. Get your kids involved and make it a family project!

Prefer something more defined? Do some paint by numbers and then mat and frame your finished work. Look for discounted sets in yard sales, dollar stores and hobby shops.

Naturally, photos always look good on the wall, especially when hung in groupings. Grab your camera and shoot a favorite landscape in different seasons or enlarge close-ups of small items like insects and flowers. Black and white photos of architecture or people always provide a tasteful look to a room.

Hang articles of clothing on the wall: a collection of hats; old-fashioned handkerchiefs, baby shoes, family christening gowns or an assortment of interesting belt buckles. Clothing that has a common theme adds texture and interest to a wall.

Display natural objects on your walls. Groupings of pressed flowers, leaves, feathers, seashells or different species of wood offer interesting elements to a room. If you can’t find anything in nature that pleases you, consider photocopying botanicals, insects or birds from old books and display in vintage frames.

All of these ideas are relatively inexpensive ways to add art to your walls. They are fun, inventive and can work in any room in your home. If nothing else, turn to words and stencil some meaningful quotes or passages from your favorite books to let your personality shine through.