29 Living Room Wall Decor Ideas That Make a Statement

Struggling with bare living room walls? Think of wall decor like jewelry for your room – the essential finishing touch that complements your furniture and ties the space together.

It adds depth, visual interest, and reflects your personal style. Good wall decor can enhance relaxation and tell your family’s story.

When placing pieces, consider your furniture layout and natural sightlines from the sofa or entryway.

Don’t just stick to basic framed art; get inspired by ideas like biophilic design, statement paneling, removable wallpaper, decorative storage, or creating a strong focal point to truly make your walls stand out.

Paint an Accent Wall

Paint is an easy way to spice up your living room—and all you need is a single can to craft an accent wall.

A tone-on-tone look, like a dusty rose accent wall surrounded by pale pink adjacent walls, adds subtle intrigue.

If you’re brave enough to try a stark contrast, opt for a fun color like bright azure or rich olive green in an otherwise white room.

Apply Wallpaper

Thanks to the invention of temporary, peel-and-stick wallpaper, patterned walls are no longer a lifetime commitment.

That means festive prints are a realistic option, even if you like to switch up your design often.

Dip your toe in the water by applying removable wallpaper on just one wall behind your sofa or dive right in and wrap your entire living room in it.

Add Architectural Details

Just because your home doesn’t already feature beautiful architectural details doesn’t mean you can’t install them.

Elevate your living room with molding, wainscoting, board-and-batten, or shiplap siding, which each add texture and dimension to flat walls in their own way.

Vertical details help draw the eye upward and makes rooms with low ceilings feel taller (a designer secret).

Try Faux Tile or Brick

Peel-and-stick technology isn’t just for wallpaper—it extends to faux tile and stone, too.

You can use peel-and-stick materials to achieve the exposed brick wall of your dreams or the marble bar backsplash you’ve always wanted for a small fraction of the price.

And none of the construction or mess.

Play Up Windows & Trim

If you don’t have a ton of wall space to decorate, focus on your windows and trim to add character to your living room.

Painting the window frames and trim in a contrasting color (like Benjamin Moore Hale Navy, featured here) will make them pop and draw just the right amount of attention.

Go For Oversized Artwork

Oversized artwork is one of our favorite living room wall decor ideas, whether you choose to hang a single, massive print as a focal point or pair two large complementary pieces for a big impact.

Large wall hangings and tapestries can also make a splash, while contributing necessary texture and movement to the space.

Curate a Gallery Wall

Gallery walls are a classic for a reason—they work!

This tried-and-true method of hanging art can manifest itself in multiple different ways, from a modern gallery wall using matching frames in the same size, to a nostalgic gallery wall with cohesive black-and-white photos, to an eclectic gallery wall that mixes an assortment of mediums, colors, shapes, and sizes.

Create a Mirror Moment

From the virality of Anthropologie’s Gleaming Primrose mirror to the resurgence of Ettore Sottsass’s 1970s Ultrafragola mirror, mirrors are having a moment.

Consider hanging a statement mirror on the wall behind your sofa or propping up a standing mirror on an empty wall to reflect the light and make the room feel larger.

Hang Three-Dimensional Objects

Think outside the box and use household items as living room wall decor.

For a cozy look, source vintage plates or cookware and create an exhibit.

If you like to travel, collect woven baskets in each place you visit and hang them for everyone to see.

Such three-dimensional displays are treats for the eye.

Put Up a Picture Ledge

Rather than hanging framed art with nails and hooks, put up a picture ledge for highlighting your favorite pieces.

Picture ledges offer the opportunity to frequently swap out your art, which is especially helpful if you have a large collection.

Plus, the look is a bit more modern and streamlined than the traditional gallery wall.

Consider an Antique Mantel

Scour your local reclamation yards and vintage shops for an ornate antique mantle.

Then, use it to create a faux fireplace that will give your living room a classic elegance.

It doesn’t matter that you won’t be able to spark a flame—it’s all about the visual intrigue.

Believe it or not, the above fireplace is actually faux — here’s the full DIY.

Hang Large-Scale Art

a living room with a large abstract picture of a tree stump

An oversized piece of artwork is a simple yet effective way to decorate a living room wall.

It makes a striking focal point when hung against a contrasting backdrop like this gray and white print hung on a moody blue shiplap wall.

Large artwork draws the eye, so it’s especially important that the print matches the style and color scheme of the room.

Draw even more attention to the piece and elevate the look with a well-positioned picture light.

Formal Living Room Gallery Wall

Certain art or interior styles will demand a more formal style of art hanging.

This triptych is the perfect grouping for this small living room.

Arranging the art horizontally suits the traditional architecture of the room.

Living Room Wall Decor for a Reading Nook

You can use art to help you define space.

This small gallery wall calls your attention over to the nook and makes it feel more established.

This gallery wall features a mix of modern and antique pieces in a warm color palette.

Line the Walls with Picture Ledges

a modern living room with a TV situated among a photo wall.

Picture ledges create an easy and stylish wall feature. They are also less protrusive than traditional shelves—which makes them a terrific living room wall decor idea for small or narrow spaces.

Gather all your favorite paintings, prints, or photographs and layer them together, playing with different frame shapes and sizes to achieve movement and visual interest.

Fashion an eclectic look by varying frames, or stick to black and white for a contemporary monochromatic look.

Themed Living Room Wall Decor

living room with fresh flowers on coffee table and framed pressings on walls

If you’re unsure where to start when decorating your living room, choose a theme you love.

This gallery wall is focused around nature.

Then, as you’re out shopping or reviewing what you have, look for pieces that suit your theme.

Hang Living Room Shelves

jewel-toned living room with shelving above a teal couch

If you’re fickle and looking for living room wall decor ideas that can evolve with your mood, consider installing shelves.

They are endlessly versatile, encourage creativity, and allow you to rearrange your decor at any time.

Switch up the plants, art pieces, and books throughout the year to suit the changing seasons.

Shelves also allow you to experiment with both 2D and 3D objects, so you’re not limited as you might be with plain wall frames.

Large Living Room Gallery Wall

Show off a lot of art in a gallery wall that spans from wall to wall, floor to ceiling.

This works even if you have a small room or low ceilings.

This gallery wall uses vertical columns to organize the art, even though there are many different sizes.

Hang Art Over the Mantle

White living room with blue accent decor

Many people like to draw attention to their fireplace by hanging art above the mantle.

It’s important to look for art that works with the design of your fireplace.

In this case, the fireplace was painted black for a more modern look, which suits the large abstract painting installed above.

Folding Screens as Decor

White living room with blue folding screen decor

Folding screens make beautiful decor.

While they’re typically not installed on the wall (though they can be), their slim profile makes them ideal for adding color and texture without damaging your walls.

Further, screens can be easily moved if you need a room divider elsewhere.

Wallpaper Accent Wall

chandelier living room vintage trunk mural

Wallpaper is an extremely versatile tool for inviting color and pattern to an otherwise simple space.

However, it can overwhelm a living space—especially if you cover all four walls.

Compromise by creating an accent wall that serves as a focal point.

If you’re nervous about how it might look, or live in a rental, consider peel-and-stick options that can be easily removed.

Make It Abstract

A simple abstract painting that complements the textiles within your living room is always an excellent choice.

If you’re unable to shell out for a professional abstract painting, you can always look into creating one of your own using a canvas and paint from the craft store.

Hang a Triptych

Hanging a triptych above the sofa is a great way to fill empty wall space.

This is also a nice alternative to making a gallery wall—it can be difficult to source enough different art pieces to create a gigantic display.

Try This Twist on a TV

These days, there are plenty of TVs that double as art when turned off.

If you can’t imagine a living room without a television but want to maintain an aesthetically pleasing setup, options like these are great to consider.

Keep It Simple

A neutral abstract piece like this one is excellent for a more minimalist living room.

Rather than keeping the walls completely bare, simply choose one favorite piece that will be the star of the show in your pared-down space.

Or Say Hello to Color

Alternatively, if you love bright colors, a large painted cloth will add tons of personality to a space.

It can be fun to opt for a look different than the usual framed canvas, too.

Hang a Large Mirror

Don’t underestimate the power of an oversized mirror in the living room.

Pieces like this one can best be sourced by going the vintage route, but there are also plenty of contemporary options on the market that are designed to resemble traditional pier mirrors.

As a bonus, a mirror like this one is perfect for checking your outfit before heading out the door!

Lean a Figure Sketch

Pin @beginninginthemiddle / Instagram

Figure drawings aren’t just for the bedroom or bathroom. They can add a soft, romantic touch to the living room, too.

Opting to lean a print like this one rather than mount it to the wall will result in a chic, effortless vibe.

Wow With Wallpaper

Pin @haneens_haven / Instagram

Get moody! Create a gallery wall featuring a variety of prints that complement your furniture and accessories perfectly.

Bonus points if you hang everything on top of a stunning wallpaper pattern for an elevated, layered look.

Sing Along

Pin @hartley_home / Instagram

Show off your love of music by hanging a favorite instrument on the wall.

Best of all, this guitar is easy to grab and play when the mood strikes.