Want to know a little secret about macrame?
Those big, impressive wall hangings you see on Pinterest mostly use just two or three knots. Square knots, half hitches and a lot of repetition.
That is it. Once your hands learn those, you can make almost anything.
Below are 15 DIY macrame wall hanging ideas, starting with easy beginner pieces and moving up to big statement hangings, flowers, color and driftwood boho art.
1Start with Cotton Macrame Cord
Your cord decides the whole look. Thick rope gives a chunky, sculptural piece. Thin cord gives fine, detailed patterns.
For wall hangings, 3mm cotton cord is the sweet spot. It is easy to knot, brushes into soft fringe and that warm cream color looks great on any wall.
- Best all round size
- Soft fringe
- Beginner friendly
Project Card · 2 hours · Easy
Materials Needed
- About 50 yards of 3mm cotton cord
- A 12 inch wooden dowel
- Sharp scissors
- Measuring tape
- A fine comb for the fringe
How to Make It
- Cut 12 cords about 3 yards long each.
- Fold each in half and attach to the dowel with a lark’s head knot.
- Tie a row of square knots across all cords.
- Drop two cords on the next row and tie alternating square knots to make a V shape.
- Comb out the ends and trim the fringe into a straight or V shape.
My Pick
3mm Cotton Macrame Cord
Soft natural cotton in the most versatile size for wall hangings. Easy on the hands.
2Use a Beginner Kit for Your First Project
A kit takes all the guesswork out of starting. The cord is already cut to length and the dowel comes in the box.
With a beginner macrame kit you will not run out of cord halfway, which is the most common first project fail.
- No measuring
- Clear steps
- Done in one sitting
My Pick
Beginner Macrame Wall Hanging Kit
Pre cut cord, a dowel and clear steps. You finish a real piece in one sitting.
3Mount on a Wooden Dowel Rod
The dowel sets the width of your hanging and where it hangs from.
A smooth wooden dowel rod will not catch the fibers. Go thicker for big, heavy pieces and slimmer for small ones.
- Sets the width
- Clean finish
- Easy to hang
My Pick
Wooden Macrame Dowel Rod
Smooth sanded wood that will not snag the cord fibers.
4Add Wooden Beads for Detail
Beads add texture and a little rhythm that knots alone cannot give you.
Slide wooden macrame beads onto single strands between knot sections, or use a row of them to mark the change from one pattern to the next.
- Adds texture
- Easy upgrade
- Looks polished
My Pick
Wooden Macrame Beads
Mixed sizes with big holes that slide right onto standard macrame cord.
5Work on a Metal Ring Hoop
Swap the dowel for a ring and you get a round, medallion style hanging. It feels like a piece of art more than a textile panel.
Knot from the top of a metal macrame ring down and let the bottom hang as loose fringe for that dreamy half circle boho look.
- Round silhouette
- Bold wall art
- Boho feel
Project Card · 2 hours · Easy
Materials Needed
- One 10 inch metal ring
- About 40 yards of 3mm cotton cord
- Scissors
- Comb for the fringe
How to Make It
- Cut 16 cords about 2 yards long each.
- Attach them around the top half of the ring with lark’s head knots.
- Tie a row of half hitch knots just below the ring to lock the cords.
- Work alternating square knots down into a soft V.
- Leave the rest as fringe, then comb and trim it into a curve.
My Pick
Metal Ring Hoop for Macrame
A smooth ring for round, medallion style hangings and dreamy half circle fringe.
6Make a Macrame Feather Wall Hanging
Macrame feathers are quick, easy and look amazing in a group of three or five.
Brush the fringe hard with a stiff comb to get that soft feathery shape, and spray with a little fabric stiffener so it holds. Dip the tips in dye for a pretty ombre effect.
- One afternoon
- Great in groups
- Easy ombre
Project Card · 1 hour · Easy
Materials Needed
- 3mm single twist cotton cord
- Sharp fabric scissors
- A stiff comb or slicker brush
- Fabric stiffener spray
- Cardboard leaf template
How to Make It
- Fold one long cord in half to make the feather spine with a loop at the top.
- Cut 20 to 30 short cords and attach them in pairs along the spine with square knots, working downward.
- Untwist every short cord fully and brush it out from the spine toward the tips.
- Lay the leaf template on top and trim around it into a feather shape.
- Spray lightly with stiffener and let it dry flat.
7Create a Large Statement Macrame Hanging
A big hanging, wider than two feet and longer than three, becomes the focal point of a room.
The tricky part is keeping even tension across lots of cords, so practice on a few small pieces first. It hangs beautifully above a bed or in an entryway.
- Real focal point
- Above the bed
- Great next step
8Make a Macrame Flower Wall Hanging
Macrame flowers are knotted in a circle around a small ring, so they stand out a little from the rest of the piece.
Mix a few sizes across one hanging and dye some in soft pastel tones before you attach them.
- 3D detail
- Soft colors
- Botanical feel
9Try a Colorful Dyed Macrame Hanging
Color makes macrame feel fresh and modern. Dip dye the fringe, dye whole bundles or weave a few colored strands through natural cord.
Terracotta, blush, sage and mustard all look gorgeous with cream cotton. Use fabric dye made for cotton so the color stays.
- Pops of color
- Modern boho
- Endless combos
10Mount on Driftwood for a Natural Look
Driftwood gives a hanging natural curves that a straight dowel never will.
Clean and dry it fully before use. Pieces with a gentle bend or a little branch make the most interesting hangings.
- Natural texture
- One of a kind
- Free from the beach
11Make a Simple Boho Wall Hanging
Spiral knots and long fringe. That is all this one needs.
The spiral happens on its own when you repeat the same half knot. Let the fringe be at least as long as the knotted part for the best look.
- One knot only
- Minimal look
- Lovely movement
12Create a Macrame Shelf Wall Hanging
This one is wall art and storage at the same time. A small wooden shelf sits right inside the knot work.
Hang a short board from four cord groups at the corners, then keep knotting above and below. It is perfect for little plants or candles.
- Art plus storage
- Holds small plants
- Very practical
13Try a Weaving and Macrame Combined Hanging
Weaving and macrame together make a rich, layered piece. Woven yarn adds color, knots add texture.
Mount your cords on the dowel, weave colored yarn through one section, then knot the next.
- Rich texture
- Uses yarn scraps
- Lots of color
14Make a Macrame Planter Wall Hanging
A knotted cradle holds a small pot right in the middle of the hanging, with plant leaves trailing down.
Use a light plastic pot inside a pretty cover so the cord does not get wet or too heavy.
- Living wall art
- Trailing plants
- Fresh look
15Add Fringe Finishing for a Professional Result
Fringe is what makes a hanging look professional. Untwist each cord fully, then brush from the tip up toward the knots.
Trim only after brushing. A wavy or V shaped cut is more forgiving than a perfect straight line on your first try.
- Pro finish
- Soft and fluffy
- Easy to fix
Frequently Asked Questions
What size cord is best for a macrame wall hanging?
3mm to 5mm cotton cord works best. 3mm is great for detail and beginners, 5mm gives a chunkier look.
How much cord do I need for a wall hanging?
A good rule is to cut each cord about four times the finished length, then fold it in half. Dense knot patterns need a little more.
What knots should a beginner learn first?
Start with the lark’s head knot, the square knot and the half hitch. Those three make most wall hangings.
How do I make macrame fringe fluffy?
Use single twist cotton cord, untwist each end and brush it with a fine comb. Trim after brushing, not before.
Final Thoughts on DIY Macrame Wall Hanging Ideas
Macrame is all about patience and repetition, not talent. The same square knot can make a tiny feather or a huge statement piece.
Start with a kit or one small hanging, practice your tension and fringe, then go bigger. Your walls will look so much warmer for it.
Amir Ali is the founder and site administrator of HomeDecorEdge, a modern home decor and interior design platform. Since starting the site, he has combined his passion for interior design, practical styling, and color coordination with hands-on content strategy and site management. He guides authors, curates high-quality articles, and ensures readers have access to actionable, visually inspiring, and user-focused home decor advice for apartments, small rooms, and family homes.