Make a Statement with Bold Wall Decor for Large Spaces

With big, spacious walls come big decorating dreams—and plenty of stress to go around. Should you go vintage or contemporary? Simple or maximalist? The countless possibilities of decorating a wall are equal parts thrilling and paralyzing, so we rounded up a few large wall decor ideas for living rooms to point you in the right direction. Read on to find the perfect idea to bring your space to life.

1. Enhance Your Living Room With Canvas Large Wall Decor Ideas

Often the first choice for brightening walls, a piece of canvas art (or two) can be the perfect way to liven up your living room. For an especially free-spirited, boho vibe, forgo the frame and pin the canvas directly to the wall, letting the ends curl up a little.

A huge piece covering the entire wall will command the eye and serve as an impressive focal point. You can also hang multiple paintings side by side or in a grid to add a little variety. While many artists sell complementary pieces that look great together, you don’t necessarily have to buy a set. You can unify eclectically sourced paintings through their colors, styles, themes, or frames.

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2. Contemporary Style

When crafting a warm, inviting, put-together space, contemporary design is the way to go. Wall sconces, built-in bookcases, and framed paintings or photography can all come together to create a sleek yet approachable atmosphere.

While contemporary design tends to favor neutrals, wall decor is a wonderful avenue for adding visual interest through pops of color. Brightly colored abstract pieces, for example, can liven up an otherwise sterile living room. If there is already a little color present in the space, look for artwork that features the same color. This is a great way to make the room feel fun, cultured, and cohesive.

contemporary living room large gray sofa blue curtains abstract wall art — idiinteriordesign/Instagram

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3. Creative and Decorative Inspiration

While floating bookshelves and hanging bike racks have their place, sometimes you want decor that’s simply, well, decorative. It goes without saying, but photography and paintings are great options for filling up a wall and adding a little pizzazz.

Art containing subject matter or color palettes that complement those already present—ocean photography for a coastal-style living room, black-and-white paintings for a minimalist vibe—elevates the space and ties it all together.

That said, there are tons of other ways to create a beautiful, visually engaging space. Hanging tapestries or other woven artwork draws the eye upward, making them excellent choices if you want to dress up an awkwardly empty high spot on the wall. As a bonus, textile art introduces new material into the room, adding a layer of interest.

boho style living room wood frame sofa framed wall art tall free standing mirror — home_designtrends/Instagram

4. Bringing Luxury to Living Rooms:

If you want your living room to have a more decadent, sophisticated feel, look for detailed wall decor and precious materials. Even if you don’t have the intricate wall moldings often present in Parisian-style homes, you can emulate the look by filling your space with classy, vintage-inspired pieces. Antique mirrors and ornately framed art, for example, add an air of old-school luxury.

Light fixtures are an often-overlooked way to make a statement, so keep an eye out for attention-grabbing sconces, lamps, or overhead fixtures. For a painting or fireplace smack in the middle of the wall without much room on either side, try placing two intricately designed sconces on either side. By framing the feature in this way, you subtly draw attention toward it while filling in the gaps.

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5. Modernize Your Wall Decor

Sharp neutrals, bold metallics, and minimalist pieces are all you need for a well-designed modern living room wall. Colors like white, navy, and slate gray instantly modernize a space and provide the perfect backdrop for other decors, whether you incorporate color or go neutral all the way. This design style can easily slip from sleek to sterile, so warm up the room with engaging art prints in understated frames.

Simplicity is key when it comes to modern design, so stick to sleek, minimal decor to avoid cluttering the space. Floating shelves create extra storage, and you can arrange them in many ways, offering an opportunity for functional decor. Other decorations like metal wall art or an oversized clock can fill empty space and add character to your living room.

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country style living room stone fireplace two gray sofas wood coffee table — lifeonrusticdr/Instagram

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6. Simplicity at Its Best

Just because your wall is larger than life doesn’t mean your decor has to be overwhelming. By being strategic with your decor, you can keep things simple without making the room feel sparse or unbalanced.

A single wall shelf, for example, offers a wealth of opportunities. Try leaning a set of art prints or your record collection on it to create a laidback display of your tastes and interests. Incorporating pieces at varying heights, like a slightly taller lamp or a few vining plants, engages the eye and creates visual interest without over-complicating the space.

To pare things down even more, sometimes all you need is one stunning piece of decor to liven up a room. A big, antique mirror will command attention and reflect light all around the room, adding to the room’s airiness.

eclectic living room tan sofas yellow accent chairs gray geometric shape feature wall — aumarchitects/Instagram

simple modern living room two couches fireplace wall mirror — mrs_bb8/Instagram

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8. Small Lounge? No Problem!

At first glance, large wall decor might seem like a bad idea for a small wall, since you don’t want to crowd or overwhelm the room. However, the truth is that small pieces can leave a lot of empty wall space, making the room feel awkward and even smaller than it actually is. Big wall decor, be it an oversized clock or a piece of DIY wall art, will anchor the room and take it from cramped to cozy.

That said, smaller pieces of artwork can work in the form of a gallery wall. Whether you arrange them in a grid or opt for a more freeform orientation, the end result will fill the space attractively and offer plenty of interesting places for the eye to rest.

eclectic lounge room blue sofa green accent chair framed wall art chandelier — drfaraizzati/Instagram

yellow sofa and accent chair glass coffee table piano framed abstract wall art living room — the_stylish_eduka8r_1908/Instagram

9. Stylish Living

Whether you lean more boho or traditional, your wall decor will impact the room’s style in a big way. Light colors, simple designs, and light wood shelves or frames go well with contemporary, mid-century modern, Scandinavian, and rustic-style decor. Darker hues, metal accents, and rough textures like stone, on the other hand, complement modern decor perfectly.

On the flip side, however, wall decor also offers a chance to add your own spin to a well-loved design style. Minimalist living room falling a little flat? Lemon-yellow walls will brighten the space and add a little cheer. Likewise, deep black or emerald green walls can add an unexpected moody twist to a usually easy-breezy bohemian design.

framed drawings on bedroom wall — Ground Picture/Shutterstock

10. Adding Vintage Charm

Vintage decor is the perfect way to craft a cozy, nostalgic space. Check out thrift shops, flea markets, and antique stores to find quirky artwork, vintage wall sconces, and old-timey boxes and containers.

This design style is versatile enough to blend with a number of aesthetics. If you’re feeling particularly industrial, look for simple metal light fixtures and try your hand at DIY-ing a shelf out of salvaged wood. Want something a little more luxe? Brass frames and beautiful paintings will add a touch of sophistication.

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11. Wall Painting Solutions

It’s easy to get lost in all the complex decorating ideas out there, but you simply can’t go wrong with the basics. With their ability to brighten a room and show off a person’s unique tastes, paintings have always been a go-to for sprucing up blank walls. Whether you go landscape or portrait, contemporary or impressionist, a handpicked piece of art is the perfect way to fill your living room with character.

When choosing a piece, be mindful of the space on the wall you expect it to fill. If the painting is too big, it may overwhelm the room or be hard to situate nicely. Make sure to leave some breathing room between the painting and the ceiling and floor. Pieces that are too small, on the other hand, can look awkward. The solution? Buy multiple pieces and arrange them to create a stunning accent wall.

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green wall and purple geometric shape wall in eccentric living room — fioridgn/Instagram

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12. Natural Beauty

If you’re more interested in structural decor, a wooden wall is a great feature that packs a visual punch. Perfect for any rustic-style home, wood walls help create a cozy, inviting atmosphere.

Don’t want to go full log cabin? You can easily incorporate wooden walls on a smaller scale without sacrificing that rustic vibe. Try putting up a single wall or pillar of wood.

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FAQs

What can I put on my large living room wall?

The bigger your walls, the bigger the art you can display! Whether you want to show off some abstract prints or pay homage to the classics, hanging oversized art or leaning it coolly against the walls is a great way to give the room some personality.

How do you decorate a large living room wall?

If you want to leave room for shelves or just aren’t looking to invest in art, there are plenty of other options for livening up your walls. Funky wallpaper and dramatic murals add character to any room, and they’re especially impactful when splashed across a bigger canvas.

How can I decorate my TV wall?

If your TV is floating in a big, empty space, try to surround it with art, creating a gallery wall. When the TV is off, it’ll blend right in with the frames. This is an especially useful idea if you’re looking to design a living room that doesn’t focus on the TV.