The ceilings in my Midtown Atlanta apartment are gloriously high—and while that's always a welcome design challenge, it definitely presented a puzzle in making the space feel personalized and grounded. I knew I needed a large-scale statement to define the living room area and fill the expansive wall above the sofa, but I wanted a renter-friendly solution that would soften the space without the tedious effort of curating and hanging a massive gallery wall.
I've always loved the look of paneled fabric walls and upholstered wall treatments, and I realized that my wall height could easily accommodate a standard hollow-core door. The solution presented itself: use flat doors as the base for DIY upholstered wall panels, wrapped in the prettiest floral striped linen from Decorator's Best. The result is a dramatic, high-impact focal wall that looks custom but is surprisingly accessible for any skill level.
The Project Supplies
Flat Hollow-Core Doors
Using flat, hollow-core doors gives you a large surface for maximum visual impact while remaining fairly lightweight to maneuver and cost-effective. These interior doors are readily available at any home improvement store and provide the perfect blank canvas for upholstery. I chose 28x80 inch doors for my project, which worked perfectly with my ceiling height.
Lee Jofa "Indiennes Stripe" Fabric
I chose Lee Jofa's Indiennes Stripe in Ivy from Decorator's Best because it combined the two elements I was looking for: a fresh but classic floral pattern and a strong vertical stripe element to emphasize the height of the panels. The green colorway feels timeless and works beautifully with my existing furnishings. When selecting fabric for this project, look for something with enough body to wrap smoothly but not so thick that it's difficult to staple.
Electric Staple Gun
You'll need the power of an electric stapler to secure your fabric properly—a manual staple gun simply won't have enough force to penetrate the door frame consistently. Even with an electric model, I kept a hammer handy to bang in any staples that weren't sitting completely flush. Trust me: you'll need more staples than you think, so stock up on extras before you begin.
French Cleat Hangers
To ensure your fabric panels hang as flush to the wall as possible, use slim French cleats to mount them. This hanging system also makes it much easier to ensure the panels hang perfectly level—critical when you're working with multiple panels side by side. Pro tip: attach your cleats to the doors after upholstering the panels, not before, or else you'll have to awkwardly cut away the fabric covering them.
How to Make and Hang DIY Fabric Wall Panels
Step 1: Cut Your Fabric
First, I laid the hollow-core door on top of the fabric flat on the floor and cut around the door, giving myself a generous border on each side—at least 3-4 inches—to wrap around the frame securely.
Step 2: Staple the Fabric
Starting at the middle of each side (not the corners), I stretched the fabric taut—but not so tight that the pattern would warp—and stapled my way around the back of the panel. Working from the center outward on each side ensures an even, smooth finish on the front face.
Step 3: Trim and Attach Hardware
After stapling was complete, I trimmed the excess fabric on the back to allow the door to sit as close to the wall as possible when hung. Then I screwed in the "male" French cleat, aligning it with the edge of the door to ensure it's as level as possible.
Step 4: Mount and Style
I marked down from the ceiling where I wanted the top of the doors to hit on my wall, then used a level to screw in the "female" cleats. After hanging the panels, I added a picture hanger to the center panel to layer a framed photograph with a picture light attached to the frame—creating that collected, layered look I love.
The Final Result
I absolutely love what these fabric wall panels have added to my apartment—they really feel like they're part of the architecture of the room, as if they were always meant to be there. They're also the most complimented element of the space because they make such a large-scale, dramatic impact on the room.
While the project requires some patience, it's genuinely straightforward, and I love how accessible it is for any skill level. You could easily adapt this technique with your favorite fabric or even wallpaper for a different look. If you're a renter looking for a statement-making, removable solution—or a homeowner who wants to add architectural interest without construction—give these DIY fabric wall panels a try and see what they add to your space.
Work With Us
Whether you're building a new home, refreshing your living room, or looking for creative solutions for a rental apartment, Atlanta interior designer Kevin Francis O'Gara can help bring your vision to life with personalized design services.
