When you’re decorating your home and come face-to-face with a large wall, deciding how to fill that space effectively can feel daunting. However, think about it another way—with so much space, the possibilities are endless. With the right approach, these blank spaces can become captivating focal points that completely transform a room’s feel. From oversized artwork to nature-inspired touches like wall planters, there are countless ways to add personality, texture, and warmth to your home. Let’s explore some ideas for decorating a large wall.
11 Tips for Filling Up a Large Wall
- Install oversized art pieces to serve as a bold focal point and complement the room’s size.
- Oversized framed artwork can become prohibitively heavy—stretched canvas is often a better choice for large artworks.
- Multi-panel artwork like triptychs can take up more visual space on a large wall.
- For a large, dynamic display, create a gallery wall with a mix of art and photos in matching frames.
- Floating shelves enable you to display knickknacks and other items alongside traditional wall art.
- Bookshelves can be decorative as well as functional.
- Textiles can visually warm up large rooms’ walls and serve as mild soundproofing to reduce echoes.
- Use mirrors strategically to reflect light while making a stylish statement.
- Architectural details and textured paint techniques add depth and character to large, plain walls.
- Wallpaper can cover large areas with ease, adding visual interest.
- Incorporate wall planters or vertical gardens for vibrant color and a calming, nature-inspired atmosphere.
Fill the Space With Oversized Art
When you want to make a statement on a large wall, filling the space with oversized art is a game-changer. These striking pieces, often three feet or more, instantly draw attention and energize your space. They’re especially effective in spaces with high ceilings or wide, open walls.
- Abstract pieces are a popular choice for oversized art because they’re versatile and impactful. Depending on the vibe you want to create, they can introduce bold colors, dynamic shapes, or calming neutral tones. Abstract art works particularly well in modern or minimalist spaces.
- A sweeping landscape or serene nature scene can bring a sense of calm and depth to a room. Whether it’s a photograph of a misty forest, a painted coastal view, or a field of wildflowers, nature-inspired art can make a space feel expansive and tranquil.
- For a fun, bold look, oversized pop art is a fantastic choice. Pieces inspired by artists like Andy Warhol or featuring bright colors and graphic designs add energy and personality to a space.
- Clean, minimalist line drawings or simple geometric designs are ideal for a contemporary or Scandinavian aesthetic. These understated pieces make a statement without overwhelming the space. Art with graphic patterns, such as chevrons, stripes, or geometric shapes, can energize a large wall.
- Instead of one large piece, try hanging a triptych (three panels) or a diptych (two panels). These multi-panel works can feature connected designs or complementary themes, adding dimension and movement to your wall.
- Oversized botanical prints or paintings bring your space a fresh, organic feel. Choose vibrant, colorful flowers for a cheerful vibe or muted, neutral tones for a more subdued look.
- Large portraits, whether realistic or abstract, create a dramatic focal point. A striking face or figure can evoke emotion and set the tone for the entire room.
- Oversized images of iconic cityscapes or architectural details bring an urban, modern edge to your decor. These pieces are particularly striking in industrial or contemporary spaces.
- Large-scale black-and-white photographs are timeless and sophisticated. Whether they’re portraits, architectural shots, or nature scenes, the monochromatic palette makes them easy to match with almost any decor style.
Positioning a large artwork above furniture like a sofa or bed can effectively anchor the room, giving it a balanced feel.
Don’t forget to incorporate complementary decor elements, like stylish lighting or smaller accents, to enhance the overall aesthetic and create a cohesive look that transforms your space.
Create a Gallery Wall
Gallery walls are a fantastic way to infuse personality into a large space. By combining art, photos, and even decorative objects, you can craft a display that tells a unique story.
Start by choosing a color scheme, theme, or unifying frame style to keep the arrangement visually harmonious. Mixing larger pieces with smaller ones adds depth and visual intrigue. Use bold or colorful pieces as focal points to draw the eye and make the wall pop. Don’t forget to include personal items, like photographs or mementos, to make your gallery wall unique.
Before you start hammering nails, plan the layout on a flat surface to ensure balance and spacing. The rule of thumb is to aim for two to five inches between frames, but depending on how large of a wall you’re decorating and how far away you plan for it to be viewed, you may need to adjust. You’ll also want to pay attention to how high you’re hanging the art.
One of the best parts of a gallery wall is its versatility—you can swap out pieces to keep the display fresh and reflect seasonal changes or evolving tastes. The shape of the collection itself can enhance the style, as a gallery wall isn’t confined to a rectangular form.
Try Floating Shelves
Consider adding floating shelves, which offer style and functionality, for a fresh approach to decorating a large wall. These shelves provide valuable display space, allowing you to showcase books, plants, or decorative items without the bulk of traditional shelving units.
You can customize floating shelves in various lengths, widths, and finishes, ensuring they complement your existing decor. In addition, installation is simple and can be a fun DIY project requiring only basic tools and a few hours of your time.
Arrange them in staggered patterns or at varying heights on your large, empty wall to create visual interest and depth.
You can easily swap decor items with floating shelves for seasonal updates and personalization!
Stylize Your Bookshelf
A well-styled bookshelf can be a functional storage solution and a striking design element on a large wall.
Mix horizontal and vertical stacks of books to create visual interest, and incorporate decorative objects, plants, or small framed art prints to break up the monotony. Organizing your books by color can add further interest and create a visually appealing gradient effect that draws the eye.
Don’t forget about backdrops; painting the back wall of the bookshelf a bold color or using wallpaper to create a dramatic backdrop can enhance the overall aesthetic.
Finally, consider installing LED strip lights to highlight specific books or items. This extra touch will transform your bookshelf into a captivating focal point that reflects your personality and style.
Hang a Large Tapestry or Quilt
Hanging a large tapestry or quilt can instantly elevate your large wall, adding warmth, softness, and character to the space. These textiles can be a stunning focal point and bring color and texture, enhancing your interior design. Vibrant patterns or intricate designs can anchor seating areas and make the room feel inviting.
Another benefit of fabric wall hangings is that textiles absorb sound, helping reduce echoes in large spaces. For spaces that need sound control (like home offices or media rooms), consider going further and hanging acoustic panels that double as wall art. These come in various shapes, sizes, and colors to complement your decor while improving acoustics.
When selecting a large tapestry, choose one that complements your room’s color palette and style, whether modern or traditional. However, be aware that quilts and similarly sized pieces can be too heavy to hang by just the corners without damaging the piece. Consider using a large dowel or curtain rod for easy hanging, allowing the textile to drape elegantly and create visual interest at different heights.
You can also swap them out seasonally for a fresh look. Remember to properly clean and maintain your large tapestry or quilt to preserve its vibrant colors and structural integrity over time.
Add a Large Mirror
Mirrors are an elegant way to add dimension and light to a room. A large mirror not only fills wall space but also reflects light, making even small or dimly lit rooms feel brighter and more spacious. Placing a mirror strategically across from a window can amplify natural light and create a warm, inviting ambiance. And in bedroom decor, a mirror also makes for an easy way to check your outfit for the day.
In addition to their practical benefits, oversized mirrors make stunning decorative elements. Mirrors can suit any aesthetic, whether you choose sleek, modern frames or ornate vintage designs. Use them in entryways, hallways, or living rooms to create a sense of depth and openness.
Consider leaning a tall floor mirror against the wall behind a sofa or chair. A large piece can draw the eye upward, emphasizing the room’s height if you have tall ceilings.
Add Architectural Flair
Wall molding is a timeless option for turning blank walls into elegant features. Picture frame molding or wainscoting can add depth and sophistication while creating a more structured look. These elements are particularly effective in open-plan homes, where they can define areas without breaking visual continuity. As a bonus, picture rails can be used to hang gallery walls!
Wainscoting and board-and-batten offer opportunities to play with color contrasts, adding another layer of design to your space. You can even do this as a DIY project; choose materials like MDF or plywood for an affordable, easy-to-work-with option. Paint the battens to match your wall color for a subtle effect, or select a contrasting shade to make them stand out. Whether your home leans modern or traditional, board and batten can fit right in.
Stone, tile, or brick veneers mimic expensive materials at a fraction of the weight, letting you easily give your space a rustic or modern vibe. Specialty paint finishes, like Roman Clay plaster, can enrich the wall with unique textures and colors.
You can also break up large, blank expanses with textured painting techniques, such as sponging slightly darker or lighter colors of the same hue. Creating a visually varied surface makes the wall more pleasing to the eye.
Use Wallpaper
Incorporating wallpaper can add a striking visual element to your large wall, enhancing the overall aesthetic of your space. Bold patterns or textures can create a stunning focal point, drawing attention and inspiring conversation.
Consider oversized wallpaper designs, like dark florals or geometric patterns, which can extend to the ceiling, making the room feel taller and more immersive. If you’re not ready for a permanent commitment, removable wallpaper offers a fantastic option for easy updates without the hassle.
This flexibility is especially useful in high-traffic areas, where washable materials like vinyl ensure durability and style. This is perfect for kitchens or children’s rooms. Using wallpaper as an accent can balance the design, preventing a large wall from feeling overwhelming while maintaining cohesive beauty.
Greenery on the Walls: Bring Nature Indoors
Adding greenery to your walls infuses life and energy into your space, especially if you’re already working with a green color palette. Wall-mounted planters and vertical gardens create a lush, vibrant atmosphere without wasting valuable floor space. Arrange plants of varying heights and types to build an eye-catching display.
Trailing plants like pothos or string of pearls soften hard surfaces and add a natural, cascading effect. Whether you go for an entire living wall or a few simple planters, incorporating greenery enhances air quality and creates a calming environment.
So Many Options to Decorating a Large Wall
Decorating a large wall can transform your space into a visual masterpiece. You can showcase your personal style by filling it with oversized art, curating a gallery wall, turning the space into an indoor garden, or using practical storage for stylish design—the possibilities are limitless. These tips will enhance your room’s aesthetic and create an inviting atmosphere that reflects your personality.