Let’s face it. Most fully furnished apartments in Shanghai weren’t designed by the most enthusiastic interior decorators. Chances are the furniture leaves much to be desired, never mind the endless expanses of blank white wall. It’s hard to make this city feel like home if there’s no trace of “you” to be found in your own home! Luckily, there are some fun (and often fairly cheap) options when it comes to sprucing up your lackluster walls. Whether you’re in the market for fun, funky, or classic, there’s a picture, wallpaper design, or poster out there just for you.

1) Les LuciolesView In Map
French in origin, this small shop prides itself on supporting “up-and-coming” European artists and designers. Here you will find, among other things, unique photos and wallpaper (most of which is only sold here in China). Tres Tintas and Lene Toni Kjeld are the must-see wallpaper brands, while Labokoff’s photos make for great conversation pieces.

Add: 203 Jinxian Lu, near Shaanxi Nan Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市进贤路203号 近陕西南路, 地铁1号线陕西南路站
Tel: 021 6513 5110
Opening hours: Daily, 11:00-21:00

2) Life Experience PaperView In Map
While technically these environmentally friendly and surprisingly durable paper lamps hang on your ceiling, their funky shapes throw amazing shadows on your wall and their bright vivid colors instantly brighten up a room. Made from “cotton paper” (a thin, pliable paper produced from cotton fibers), each lamp is made by hand and contains no pesticides or chemicals. And at 10-35 RMB a pop, you can afford to have a little fun.

Add: 849 Julu Lu, near Fumin Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市巨鹿路849号 近富民路
Tel: 021 138 1886 5907
Opening hours: Sun-Sat, 13:00-21:00

3) Propaganda Poster Art CenterView In Map
Yes, this is a gallery full of poster art from post-1949 China. And yes, you have to pay 20 RMB just to get in. But not only is it worth the money to catch a glimpse of the ridiculously colorful propaganda posters that helped shape this country’s current government, the gift shop at the end is where the real jackpot lies! Originals are offered for sale, but for those who can’t casually drop thousands of RMB on a whim, check out their prints. They’ll make you laugh, they’ll make you roll your eyes, but they’re certainly not boring.

Add: Room BOC, B/F, Bldg 4, 868 Huashan Lu, near Wukang Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市华山路868弄4号地 下室BOC室 近武康路
Tel: 021 6211 1845
Opening hours: Daily, 10:00-17:00

4) Dengke Artworks StoreView In Map

For those wishing to go the more traditional route, this art store carries a wide range of paintings from Southeast Asia. Whether you prefer prints, watercolors, or oil paintings, there is a piece of wall art (or two) that will add that one last touch to your home that you’ve been craving. These classy pieces are timeless, meaning you don’t have to leave it behind if you wind up going back to your home country.

Add: Shop C12, 56 Maoming Nan Lu, near Changle Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市茂名南路56号C12商铺 近长乐路
Tel: 021 5157 5939
Opening hours: Daily, 10:00-20:30

5) Poster JoyView In Map
This store is perfect for those wanting a truly personal way to liven up their walls. You can take a picture of your choice and make it into a poster or canvas wall piece, and you can do all this online! Just go to their website, download the picture of your choice, choose your size and material, and sit back and wait for your wall art to arrive. Customers in Shanghai have the unique option of stopping by the office and paying in cash (normally they only take credit cards online). Sounds like a good gift idea to me. . .

Add: Room 802, Bldg 27, 1025 Xinyuan Lu, near Minfeng Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市新源路1025号27栋802, 近民丰路, 嘉定
Tel: 021 3957 9057
Opening hours: Daily, 08:00-20:00
Website: www.posterjoy.com/language.php?set=en

6) Casa PagodaView In Map

This store is great for people who really have no idea what they’re looking for. The owners are a married couple who basically just import anything they think is cool, meaning their Union Jack wall hangings fit in perfectly next to the vintage-looking hanging lamps and the surprising amount of zebra print. Come here to browse and chances are you’ll find something completely funky and unique to throw up on that boring blank wall.

Add: 15-17 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市泰康路15-17号, 近思南路
Tel: 021 6466 7521
Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 10:00- 20:00; Sat-Sun, 11:00-20:00

7) Tune LongView In Map

If you’ve strolled through Taikang Lu, chances are you’ve seen this photograph shop (or something like it) featuring the artwork of Ma Hongzen. Full of real (and Photoshopped) photographs of daily life in modern China, no one can deny that you can find some powerful and striking images here. Speaking of Taikang Lu, it’s probably the best one-stop-shopping area for wall art, if you don’t mind the tourist prices.

Add: Tianzifang, Lane 210 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市田子坊泰康路210弄, 近思南路
Tel: 021 6473 2600
Opening hours: 09:00-20:00

Warning：The use of any news and articles published on eChinacities.com without written permission from eChinacities.com constitutes copyright infringement, and legal action can be taken.

Keywords: shanghai wall art shanghai posters shanghai decorate an apartment