Wall Décor Inventory Guide for Insurance Claims and Policy Coverage
Wall décor is an essential part of home design, adding personality, warmth, and aesthetic appeal to your living spaces. Whether it's framed pictures, mirrors, or fabric wall hangings, these items not only enhance the look of your home but can also carry significant financial value.
Proper documentation of wall décor is important for insurance purposes either during a Claim to replace what has been lost or to ensure you’re fully covered in the event of a major incident. This guide helps homeowners create a comprehensive inventory of their wall décor, covering various categories and highlighting the need for proper insurance coverage.
What Is Insurable Wall Décor?
Wall décor includes all decorative items designed to be hung or displayed on walls, such as framed pictures, mirrors, fabric pieces, and other decorative accents. While some items may be purely aesthetic, others, particularly custom-made or high-end décor, can carry substantial value. Ensuring these items are properly insured helps protect against financial loss in case of damage or theft.
Importance of Appraisals for Wall Décor
Appraisals are not necessary for mass-produced or commercially available wall décor. However, high-end, custom, or designer wall décor items may require appraisals to establish their market value. Custom mirrors, handmade fabric art, or unique wall sculptures, for example, should be appraised to ensure your insurance policy provides adequate coverage.
Depreciation and Wall Décor
Most mass-produced wall décor items will depreciate over time. However, custom-made or high-end pieces may appreciate, depending on their materials, craftsmanship, and uniqueness. It’s important to review your insurance policy to ensure it accounts for the replacement cost of wall décor rather than its depreciated value.
Ensuring Proper Insurance Coverage for Wall Décor
Riders for Custom or High-End Décor: If you own custom or high-end wall décor, such as designer mirrors or handmade fabric art, consider adding a rider to your insurance policy to ensure these items are covered for their full value.
Replacement Value Coverage: Ensure that your insurance policy covers wall décor at replacement value rather than actual cash value, which accounts for depreciation. This way, if any items are lost or damaged, you can replace them at today’s market price.
Detailed Documentation: Keep a detailed inventory of your wall décor, including photographs, receipts, and descriptions of each item. For custom pieces, include additional documentation such as appraisals or certificates of authenticity.
Regular Updates: Regularly update your inventory to reflect new purchases or any changes in the value of existing pieces, ensuring that your insurance coverage stays accurate.
Quick List of Wall Décor by Category
Here’s a categorized inventory guide for various types of wall décor. This guide will help you organize and document your collection for insurance purposes.
Pictures (Framed)
Framed pictures are a versatile form of wall décor, ranging from family photographs to custom-printed art. While some may not hold significant monetary value, others, such as custom framing or limited-edition prints, may require insurance consideration.
Framed family photographs
Custom photo collages
Framed botanical or nature prints
Hand-painted wooden picture frames
Floating glass frames for minimalist designs
Personalized framed prints (family names, dates)
Metal or Wrought Iron picture frames
Shadow Box picture frames
Gallery Wall sets with various-sized frames
Framed inspirational quotes or typography art
Framed maps or cityscapes
Multi-panel canvas prints
Framed children’s artwork
Collage frames with multiple openings
Wood or metal grid photo display frames
Mirrors
Mirrors serve both decorative and functional purposes in a home. While many mirrors are mass-produced, high-end or custom mirrors made from rare materials or featuring intricate designs can add significant value to your home.
Custom-cut wall mirrors
Antique-style gilt-framed mirrors
Full-length mirrors with decorative frames
Contemporary beveled-edge mirrors
Sunburst mirrors with metal accents
Decorative mirror sets (hexagonal, circular)
Vintage-inspired Venetian mirrors
Reclaimed Wood-framed mirrors
Round mirrors with leather straps for hanging
Oversized floor mirrors (leaning or mounted)
Multi-paneled mirrored wall installations
Frameless oval or round mirrors
Distressed wood-framed mirrors
Metal-framed mirrors (brass, gold, silver)
Statement mirrors with geometric patterns
Fabric Wall Décor
Fabric wall décor adds texture and softness to a room, and these pieces range from tapestries to fabric wall panels. Custom-made or handmade items, in particular, can hold substantial value.
Macramé wall hangings
Woven wall tapestries (cotton, wool, silk)
Custom embroidered wall art
Quilted wall hangings
Textile art installations (fabric sculptures, panels)
Fabric-covered bulletin boards
Silk-screened fabric art prints
Large woven or knotted wall decor pieces
Hand-stitched textile murals
Framed vintage fabric or textile fragments
Fabric wall decals or murals
Felt wall hangings for children’s rooms
Layered fabric wall art (multi-textured)
Wool or cotton fabric wall banners
Upholstered fabric wall panels
Miscellaneous Wall Décor
Miscellaneous wall décor includes any decorative items that don’t fit neatly into the categories above - and realistically there are limitless options. These can be anything from wall-mounted sculptures to clocks, books, heirlooms and functional pieces that add both design and practicality to your home. These are ideas just meant to get you started.
Wall-mounted sculptures (metal, wood, or resin)
Geometric or abstract wall shelves
Rustic or industrial-style wall hooks
Wall-mounted candleholders (metal or ceramic)
Wall-mounted planters (wood, ceramic, or metal)
Oversized wall clocks (rustic, modern, or industrial)
Metal or wire wall grids for hanging photos or art
Decorative wall letters or monograms (wood, metal, acrylic)
Wall-mounted jewelry organizers
Key racks with decorative accents
Wall-mounted bike racks (wood, metal)
Chalkboard or dry-erase wall boards
Vinyl wall decals (geometric, quotes)
Wall-mounted folding desks (space-saving)
Functional pegboards with custom decor
Key Considerations for Wall Décor Collection Management
Digital Inventory: Maintain a digital inventory of your wall décor, especially for custom or high-end items - of course Loti can help. Include descriptions, high-quality photographs, and any purchase receipts or appraisals to ensure proper documentation.
Protection from Environmental Damage: Protect fabric wall hangings and mirrors from environmental factors such as moisture, sunlight, and dust. Use UV-blocking glass for framed pieces and ensure proper humidity control to prevent fabric deterioration.
Insurance Reviews: Review your insurance policy periodically to ensure that it covers any new wall décor items. Be sure to adjust the policy if you make any major additions or changes to your collection.
Wrap-Up: Protecting Your Wall Décor Collection
Wall décor, from framed pictures and mirrors to fabric art and sculptural installations, is an essential part of home design. While some pieces may not carry significant monetary value, others—especially custom or high-end items—can be quite valuable.
By keeping a detailed inventory, securing appropriate insurance coverage, and ensuring that valuable or custom items are properly documented, you can protect your investment in wall décor from potential loss or damage.