How to Decorate Living Room Walls

Decorating with Traditional Pieces

Hang a painting for a simple and classic solution. One of the simplest, most obvious options for living room wall décor is a wall painting. You can even consider asking an artistic friend to create something or commission an artist to get a truly personal piece. If you’re on a budget, get a print of previously-created artwork. If you have a young family, consider turning your living room into a kid-friendly space by featuring your kids' artwork on the walls. The pictures will likely add a bright splash of color and your kids will feel proud. You can create a polished “art gallery” look by using matching frames. For a simple yet elegant look, try hanging a textured piece of artwork against a smooth wall. Paint the wall behind the artwork in a color that closely matches the color of the artwork.

Add shelving to increase your storage and decoration options. Shelves are a simple, inexpensive way to decorate your walls. You can place a variety of objects on your shelves, from knick-knacks and photographs to lamps and mementos from family vacations. Line your shelves with objects that say something about your family to give your living room a warm, personal touch. Try hanging a small ledge and placing pictures on it. Lean the pictures against the wall. You can also group several ledges together on one wall for an inexpensive and simple solution to fill a blank space. Take care not to overcrowd the shelves. Arrange decorative items so that you can see everything and are able to dust easily.

Display a favorite photograph to draw focus to it. You can go a standard route by hanging small photographs of loved ones on your wall, or you can make a more dramatic statement by enlarging a single photograph and centering it above a sofa or other large piece of furniture. Get a large, decorative frame that matches the look of your other décor. This will help the photo look like it belongs in the space.

Make a gallery wall to display several pictures or paintings. Cluster a group of framed photos or prints on a blank part of the wall. Use identical frames for a classic, unified style, or try mixing different colors and textures to create a more modern look. Use only black and white images in your gallery wall for a clean, classic display. For a low-cost option, use washi tape on the wall to create the “frames” for your pictures. Start by sticking your photos onto the wall with a small piece of double-sided tape on the back of each picture. Then, cut off strips of washi tape and stick one along the edge of each photo, creating a frame. You can mix up the colors and widths of the washi tape frames or keep them all the same color.

Line the walls with books for a functional solution. Select sturdy shelves that can handle the weight of books. You can either line these shelves around the perimeter or focus them on a single wall. The books not only act as decoration, but as entertainment, making this an aesthetically-pleasing and practical option. Try adding additional character to the bookshelves by using bookends, or placing small plants, candles, or other decorations on the shelves next to the books.

Using Modern Decorations

Paint a glossy stripe along the perimeter of the room to add subtle depth. If the walls of your living room are painted with a matte paint, adding a wide, horizontal stripe creates a subtle hint of texture. Choose a glossy paint color that closely matches the matte color already on your wall. Keep the stripe at eye level or higher to maximize the effect.

Cover an accent wall with fabric to create a warm atmosphere. Fabric is a unique alternative to paint or wallpaper, and it gives a wall texture and design. Start by upholstering one wall with it, since covering your entire living room space in fabric may make your space look too busy. Stick with lightweight fabrics, like cotton or linen, since thick fabrics may look too heavy and overbearing. You can also create a classic, rustic look by using burlap, however. For a less dramatic approach, hang a framed square of fabric on your wall instead of upholstering the wall itself. This option is less expensive and easier to change out.

Transport yourself away with clocks set to different time zones. If you have loved ones in other cities, or if you simply dream of visiting faraway places, incorporate the sentiment into your living room wall décor by hanging several simple analog clocks in a straight line above your sofa. Set the clocks to whatever time zone your dream destinations lie in. You can also place a small plaque beneath each clock to identify the city that each respective clock belongs to.

Give old plates a new life by hanging them on the wall. Select plates in varying hues, and made of differing materials, to cheaply add both color and texture to your wall. Place the most eye-catching plate in the center to act as a focal point. Make sure the plates are securely fastened to the wall so that they don’t fall and break.

Use frames to add an artistic touch to otherwise ordinary objects. Select a poster, vintage landscape blueprint, fancy calendar, or a greeting card with a nice front design. Fix these objects to the back of the frame. If you hang a calendar, remove the front glass so that you can still access the pages.

Decorating Large Living Room Walls

Hang a large painting to quickly and easily decorate a large wall. Select a single large canvas to cover a wide living room wall, or speckle the wall with multiple paintings of varying sizes. Covering a large wall (or 2) in paintings is a great way to use the extensive space in a big living room. For a low-cost option, buy a blank canvas and use interior latex paint to paint the canvas a bright color. If you are using several pieces, choose complementary artwork by the same artist or in the same style to unify the look of your living room.

Split a large photo to make a dramatic statement. Split a photo into 2, 3 or more panels and give each section its own frame. Make all the frames the same color for a unified look, or use frames with different colors or textures for a more unique, eye-grabbing look. Hang the pieces next to each other on a large wall. Leave at least 2 inches (5.1 cm) between each one. If you have a very long wall, you can leave much more than 2 inches (5.1 cm) between the frames, but keep the spacing consistent. You can also buy paintings that are split up into multiple canvases to achieve the same look. Use a smaller frame for every other section for a more abstract look.

Add color to the wall with a tall potted plant. Large plants add warmth and interest to a big space. Place it against the wall in an empty corner of the room, or put it in the middle of a large wall to make it the centerpiece. Try a Kentia palm or a yucca if you want a low-maintenance option. You can also go for a bamboo tree or ficus for a real statement piece, although these will require more of a green thumb to maintain. Position a large plant right next to a large wall painting or other decoration to draw even more attention to the artwork and make more of an impact.

Use large-scale mirrors to add depth and light to your space. Use accent mirrors with windowpane overlays that look like windows. Use a pair of mirrors side by side on a particularly large, blank wall. You can use smaller mirrors to mimic regular windows, or extra-large mirrors to cover more wall space. Don’t place any furniture directly against the mirrors. Instead, leave enough space so you can walk between the furniture and the mirrors, giving the space a feeling of being more open. Don’t feel you are limited to using square or rectangular mirrors. Play with mirrors of all shapes. Try an extended half-round or a cathedral window shape. Accent mirrors come in a variety of colors and can be made from metal, wood, or plastic. Choose a color and material that match the existing decor in your living room.

Hang large textiles to balance out a bright space. Use a vintage rug or hanging textile in the center of a blank white wall to add warmth and coziness to a bright room. Find a textile that will cover about 70% of the wall space to keep the space balanced. You can also hang several complementary textiles next to each other. Try framing vintage scarves or other pretty fabrics to make your own hanging textiles. You can use a tapestry, rug, or colorful quilt to add texture and color to the space.

Optimizing Space in a Small Living Room

Use room dividers as space-saving wall decor. If you have a small area of blank wall space in your living room, find a room divider in a fun color or pattern. Place it up against the wall for a simple accent piece to cover a boring wall.

Hang an oversized painting or photo to draw attention in a small space. Just because you have a small living room doesn’t mean you have to use small-scale art. Cover one wall with a large piece of art to make it the focus and set the tone for the whole room. Use a black and white photo to complement a minimalist space, or add color with a bright abstract painting.

Add mirrors to make a small space feel bigger. Select one wall, preferably one facing a window. Hang one large mirror or several mirrors next to each other on the wall to capture the light and send it bouncing around the rest of your living room. Your room will look brighter and more inviting. Selecting mirrors in a variety of shapes and sizes can add more character to your wall. Try a large rectangular mirror over your couch instead of a painting or a photograph to instantly expand the space. Create a subdued version of this technique by hanging polished silver platters or trays on the wall. The silver will still reflect the light, but will not reflect images as well. You can also let the mirror sit on the floor and prop it against a wall. This is an easy way to add flair and drama to a small living space.

Make your wall space double as storage for hats or other accessories. Mount several wall hooks on the wall and hang hats in an abstract pattern or a cluster. You can also hang other objects, like instruments or vintage pots. Use self-adhesive wall hooks if you don’t want to damage the walls.