Texture on Display

How to Use Quilts as Wall Decor

By Emily Shiffer » Photos by The Canopy Scottsdale

Adding character to the walls of your home may be as simple as opening your linen closet. A popular new trend in interior decorating is displaying quilts and textiles, such as African mudcloth, on the walls of your home. “Quilts bring texture and color to walls,” says Brooke Sperau, Design Consultant at Celadon in Mount Pleasant. “They are like pieces of art, especially vintage quilts. Most quilts are one of a kind, and they bring an eclectic look.”

Displaying quilts on walls is a unique way to honor family history and heritage, as well as folk culture–especially in the United States. Quilting has been a pillar of home and textiles since Colonial times, when it was brought by immigrants from countries such as England, France, Holland and Italy. 

In the early 19th century, quilting had its “golden age” thanks to American-produced cotton fabric becoming more widely available and affordable to the masses, as well as the invention of the sewing machine in the 1840s. The 1970s also saw a “quilt revival.”

“Most quilts are handmade, and people spend hours making them,” says Sperau, adding that she owns a quilt her mother made in the 1970s, as well as another quilt from the 1800s that was passed through generations of her family. 

Sperau adds that African mudcloth, which originates from Western Africa, is another handwoven, one-of-a-kind textile dyed with fermented mud and plants such as indigo that can bring color and patterns to plain walls. 

“Incorporating textiles such as an African mud cloth brings in a rich cultural heritage and storytelling into a space,” says Kellie Sirna, Principal and Founder of Studio 11 Design. “Using textiles also has a historical significance, as it can speak to the nostalgia and ethos of the region and connect us emotionally to the space using an old and valuable technique.”

Geographical quilts and textiles, like maps, are a unique way to show your love for a region or place that holds sentimental value to you and your family. Celadon offers a cotton and poly silk Charleston Quilt, a map which highlights the entire Holy City region and beyond—from Edisto Beach to Sullivan’s Island and up to Bull’s Island.

“The Charleston quilt will bring an elevated coastal flair to any room,” says Sperau.

Hung fabrics also can transform your space with a cozy aesthetic, as well as adjust the acoustics in the room.

“Quilts and textiles can soften the hard edges of a space and bring a sense of comfort that other types of art might not provide,” adds Sirna. “Softening spaces with textiles helps with acoustics which is also a welcomed solution in large spaces, rooms with high ceilings and architectural finishes that may not absorb sound as well.”

Display tips

Adding a quilt or textile to your walls in living rooms, primary and kids bedrooms, and nurseries will give your space a curated look, as well as a point of interest. 

There are many ways to display quilts on your walls, including framing–especially heirloom and baby quilts, which may be smaller in size. (Sperau notes that Hermés scarves are another example of commonly-framed textiles.) Depending on the size, she adds that framing (especially custom framing) may be a pricier option. Instead, using a shadow box may be a more affordable option.

However, quilts and textiles do not necessarily have to be framed for a finished look.

“You can tack them up on a wall in a main space or over a bed with finishing nails,” says Sperau. “A lot of people will mount them on boards and attach the board to the wall. Or you can choose to do padding for a headboard, putting padding behind and fabric (like a quilt or other textile) on top.”

In bedrooms, Sperau notes that quilts can also be hung above headboards or cribs. And if mounting them on a wall is not an option, you can display your quilt on your bed as an accent.

Another easy way to hang your quilt is with a rod.

“When we decorate with quilts and textiles we like to use a hanging rod,” says Sirna. “Using a hanging rod is ideal for preserving the integrity of the quilt while displaying it in a sophisticated manner.”

There are two important things to consider when hanging your quilts or textiles as wall decor:

» Cleaning. They do collect dust, so be gentle when cleaning them. “Use a gentle soft bush or vacuum lightly,” says Sirna. “Use your best judgment and if the quilt or textile is delicate, take it to a professional cleaner.”

» Location. Do not put the quilt or textile in direct sunlight. “That will damage it. Colors will fade and too much sun will deteriorate the fabric,” adds Sirna.

With these things in mind, let your creativity grow.

“Don’t be afraid to mix your art,” notes Sirna. “You can mix mediums and incorporate paintings and photographs into the space as well.”