If you’ve been staring at a bare wall in your living room for way to long trying to decide what to do with it, one of these six living room wall decor ideas should help!
Do you have a big bare wall in your living room like I do? I don’t think every bare wall needs to be decorated, but I feel like this wall needs something. I’m just not sure what! After searching for some inspiration, I’ve gathered together six favorite living room wall decor ideas to share!
1. Gallery Wall
Just to the right of the bare wall in the pic above you can see the solution that I used to decorate the largest of the four walls in our living room – a gallery wall of art! I used ten framed art prints in an evenly spaced grid formation surrounding our media console and TV:
Sources: TV console (similar) | Chandelier (satin bronze) | Textured white pillow cover | Faux fiddle leaf fig tree | Rug | Pair of floor poufs | Art prints (details in {this post} | Acrylic coffee table (similar) | Coffee table tray (28″ square) | Black and white striped box (on coffee table) | Gray plaid throw (similar)
My art prints are art prints from Minted in 18″ x 24″ matte brass frames – you can’t buy my exact frames separately (my art was shipped pre-framed) but {these frames} are very similar and come in the same and larger sizes or check out {these frames} if you don’t need them quite as big.
This same grid-like gallery wall could also be used on a large wall behind a sofa without removing the center frames like we did to accommodate the TV. You could also create a gallery wall with a more eclectic look like the one in our home office. Check out my post on gallery wall ideas for tips on creating your own!
2. Oversized Art
Another great option for large living room walls is hanging two or three pieces of oversized art such as {these gorgeous oversized fern silhouettes};
I LOVE this look and those fern prints are stunners! For a cheaper option, check out {this trio of botanical art prints} that you could frame on your own for less. I think doing a series of frames with one continuous image is a neat idea too such as {this octopus} for a coastal style home:
This art is actually one of the final contenders for the blank wall in our blue and white guest bedroom}!
3. Tapestry
A large tapestry is a great living room wall decor idea because with a single piece you can fill up a large wall while also adding color and texture to your space! You just have to be careful of how your tapestry is hung because some tapestries can give your room more of a dorm room vibe which probably isn’t exactly what you’re looking for. I like the more tailored look of hanging them by quilt hanger such as {this black & white tapestry} that’s hung on a quilt hanger:
And if you’re looking to add some color to your space I think {this colorful tapestry} is gorgeous (and huge!):
You could also hang a beautiful woven rug or throw on your wall!
4. Large Bookcase
I’ve seen some fabulous transformation of large empty living room walls with built-in bookcases but if that’s out of your budget, large freestanding bookcases can give you a similar look! {This large white bookcase} is a stunner:
It also comes in a smaller width {here} and in a configuration to accommodate a TV {here}. Using two of {these open bookcases} end to end would do the trick too:
{This rattan bookcase} is also a stunner:
And for smaller budgets, check out {this affordable bookcase option} that could be doubled up to make a bigger impact.
5. Floor Mirror
A large floor mirror can work beautifully on a bare living room wall, especially when it’s across from a window and can reflect light into the room. {This large floor mirror} is an absolute stunner and has a very traditional design with an updated twist so would look good with a wide variety of decor styles:
Also check out {this oversized floor mirror} if you’re looking for a simpler style.
6. Wall Baskets
Living rooms often have a lot of square-edged pieces – coffee tables, TV, media consoles, etc. so adding some round baskets to a wall breaks things up and adds texture and softness. I love the look of a grouping of different shaped baskets like this set of wall baskets:
If you’re more of a color-lover, I found a lot of gorgeous options from {this Etsy shop}:
It’s where I got this basket (mine is a size large) that sits on the shelves of our living room in NC:
Also check out {this Etsy shop} and {this Etsy shop} that have some beautiful basket options!
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Instead of a cluster of smaller baskets you could also just use two or three oversized wall baskets like {this huge 37″ wall basket};
I bought it to put on the wall in our master bathroom and just hung it in this spot temporarily until I move our furniture around in there but I’m kinda loving it in this spot in our entryway! Our entryway is actually the next space that I’m tackling – now that we don’t have contractors going back and forth through the space, I’m ready to finally put up the wallpaper I’ve been holding onto for over a year now. Stay tuned…
So which empty wall solution is your favorite? I’m leaning toward doing a grouping of baskets on my bare wall since I not only love the look but feel like I could always find a spot to reuse them easily in a future home. What do you think?
Want ideas for decorating other rooms in your home? Check out my post on dining room wall decor ideas and my post on living room corner ideas.
Julie says
Kris: My vote is for the baskets. You were so right about living rooms being full or square / rectangular shapes. Definitely need to change that up to offset the blockiness. I love the baskets too for the texture. Nice choices!
Mary Kadry says
I’d prefer one large item as opposed to a grouping, simply because the adjoining wall has the grouping prints. But my aesthetic is minimalist, so that may not sound right to you!
Kellee says
Though not a minimalist, I agree with Mary. I looked at pictures of the full room to consider the overall impact of the basket display. Too much visual activity so close to your lovely picture grouping may upset the symmetry in the room. But definitely find a place for a basket display…the NC home!
I found your blog when searching for tips on how to decorated shelves. I immediately followed your guide and what a difference the changes made to the entire living room! Thank you for all the inspiration you share!
Mary says
I loved all your ideas especially the baskets and tapestry. Definitely makes me want to change my sofa wall.
Your blog is so warm and welcoming!
Cindy S Welch says
I agree. I love all the options and going to use those ideas inside and in my outside patio areas
Ana Maria says
I like every one of your suggestions. Each one can be adapted to the size of the wall and to the decor in the room and the other walls.
I would add one other suggestion:
PLANTS! I love the Fiddle-leaf fig you show in Number 2.
Lynn Boutross says
Hi Kris!
Love your blog and all your creative ideas. I’m an interior designer and think you have a wonderful , yet practical sense of style!
My vote is for floor mirror, since you lost a window on that wall, it will give you the reflective light you’ve lost and almost fell like a window.
Any who, that’s my 2 cents worth!
🙂
Lynn
Sandra says
My favorite is the floor mirror also
Sue says
Hi Kris
Have you considered moving your gallery wall to the blank wall and doing something simpler around the tv?
Crystal Brown says
Love the basket idea, especially using Fair Trade products since the profits help indigenous women thrive. I just puchased a mud cloth Fair Trade pillow from In Spirit Home. She has some amazing products!
Jo says
I absolutely love the white bookcase! The wall baskets are a close second for me also!
Linda Swoveland says
I like a bookcase wall for books, decorative objects and plants!
I also like the basket wall. But since I’m more county/farmhouse style, I just bought a tobacco basket that has a metal olive basket attached for a floral arrangement.
I love decorating my comfortable, cozy home!
Debra Green says
Great ideas! Not all baskets are wall pieces, so use them
Accordingly😊😊
Dixie says
Am still laughing at myself.
I thought you actually put the words “bare wall” and the arrow on the wall. I liked it!
Kris Jarrett says
Ha! That would have definitely been a great conversation starter! 😂
Juana says
Lol I actually thought the same. I now think I want a painting that says that.