10 Ideas to Decorate a Large Wall

If you’re looking for an easy and stylish way to decorate large living room walls, consider adding shelves. Floating shelves are easy to install and give your wall a modern look. Bracketed shelves are also easy to mount and deliver a more classic feel. Alternatively, you can use pre-cut and finished shelf boards. Try using boards with different finishes, lengths and thicknesses to showcase your style. Fill the shelves with your favorite photos, mementos and accessories. For a more seasonal look, consider updating your displayed items according to the holiday or season.

Few things make a bolder statement on a wall than a large or oversize piece of art. Large wall art can evoke a specific mood and set the tone for the entire room. The subject matter, art style and frame design are completely up to you. Enlarge your favorite photos, choose a classic painting, showcase something from an up-and-coming local artist, or exercise your creativity and create a do-it-yourself piece. Put your personality on display through your art selection.

If large art isn’t your style, consider creating a classic gallery wall display. Do you have a favorite type of scenery, like sunsets, mountains or beaches? Or do you have a collection of favorite family photos? Alternatively, showcase a color palette to create a specific mood. You can use matching frames and sizes or mix it up. Similarly, you can either arrange the pieces in an organized grid or scatter them in a freestyle pattern across the wall. You can even incorporate items like baskets, hats or clocks. The only limit is your own imagination. If you need a little help, read our article on How to Create a Gallery Wall.

Mirrors don’t just serve a functional purpose; they’re also great wall decorations. Similar to wall art, large mirrors make a bigger statement than small mirrors. A round mirror can add a sophisticated look to your room. If you have a rectangular mirror, consider hanging it vertically to accentuate the height of your room. If you don’t have a large mirror, consider hanging several small mirrors of assorted sizes and shapes. Mirrors can also brighten a room and make it look bigger by reflecting light.

Literature is one of the oldest forms of art, but did you know that your book collection can also be physical art? Use your collection to create an authentic masterpiece on your living room wall. You can organize your books in a variety of ways, such as by their sizes, spine colors or title fonts. You can even orient some with the covers facing out to create visual points of interest. And don’t forget about the shelving. Whether you use pre-made bookcases, wall-mounted bookshelves or even a custom-made unit, displaying your book collection on the wall can make your living room feel like a stylish library.

Do you or does someone you know like to knit? If so, consider hanging a large woven piece of art or tapestry on your wall. It’s a great way to add a textural element to your space, and one that many people overlook when brainstorming wall decoration ideas.

If you’re comfortable using tools like saws, hammers and construction adhesive, consider decorating your walls with custom trim and moulding. A board-and-batten wall combines vertical boards and thin wood strips, or battens, to create a textured panel effect. It’s a popular look that’s easy to install. Check out our article How to Build a Board-and-Batten Wall for a simple way to replicate this look using only battens. Wainscoting is another stylish option that adds a classic look to any room. You can make it yourself or purchase pre-made panels that are easy to install.

Instead of using wall art to decorate your empty wall, consider turning the whole wall into a piece of art via a wall mural. Choose from several types of wall murals, including pre-printed pictures or graphics. You can create a custom design using patterns, such as stripes and circles, or paint your own scene. Whichever option you choose, a mural is a great way to add color, personality and mood to your wall and room.

Decorating with plants is a popular design choice. Plant walls are a great way to show off your green thumb while adding some life, color and vitality to your living room. Install wall-mounted planters or create your own with small pots and shelves. Paint the pots the same color as your wall to make your plants stand out or use different-colored pots for extra visual flair. If you haven’t had much luck growing plants in the past, consider using realistic faux plants instead.

Wallpaper is available in countless patterns, colors, styles and installation methods. The traditional installation method is to hang wallpaper with glue and water, a process we explain in How to Hang Wallpaper. For easy installation and removal, consider self-adhesive peel-and-stick wallpaper. Check out our guide on How to Hang Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper for more tips and instructions.