Tips to Decorate a Large Living Room Wall

Decorating a large, blank wall in your living room can seem like an intimidating task. But with some creativity and strategic planning, you can transform that expansive empty space into an eye-catching focal point that defines your room's style. Follow these tips to decorate a large living room wall with confidence.

Evaluate Your Large Living Room Wall

Before deciding on any decor, take time to analyze the wall you want to decorate. Consider the wall's dimensions, architectural features, and relation to other elements in the room. A tall wall with a fireplace requires a different approach than a long empty wall. Determine if you want your large living room wall to be the focal point or blend seamlessly into the space. Understanding the wall itself will inform how you decorate it.

Measure Wall Dimensions

Use a tape measure to find the wall's height and length. This will help determine the appropriate scale and quantity of artwork. A wall over 8 feet tall can handle a large statement piece of art. Measure the wall from multiple angles to account for any irregularities.

Note Architectural Features

Take stock of any architectural elements on your wall like windows, doors, or a fireplace. You'll need to decorate around these existing fixtures. If your wall has a fireplace, mantel decor and matching side mirrors can provide nice symmetry.

Consider Traffic Flow

Understand how your living room traffic flows in relation to the wall. If the wall is frequently passed, temper bold decor choices that could overwhelm. A blocked wall out of the traffic flow can handle more dramatic designs.

Decide Focal Point Status

Determine if you want your large living room wall to be the main focal point or fade into the background. As the focus, the wall decor creates a strong statement. As a subtle background, the wall complements the rest of the room without drawing attention.

Decide On a Style for Your Living Room Wall Decor

Once you've evaluated the specifics of your wall, decide on an interior design style to guide your decor choices. Match your living room's existing aesthetic or use the wall to try something new! Here are some popular large living room wall decor style options:

Modern

A modern style uses bold colors, geometric shapes, and sleek materials like metal and glass. Try grouping colorful abstract art prints or installing a contemporary floating shelf.

Rustic

Rustic living room walls feature natural materials like wood, stone, and iron. Brainstorm decorating with wood boards, brick accent walls, wrought iron candleholders, or floral wreaths.

Eclectic

An eclectic wall combines varied textures, colors, and eras for an intentionally curated mismatched look. Throw up a gallery wall with vintage paintings, prints, and photographs.

Minimalist

A minimalist style pares down decor to clean lines and negative space. Try a simple floating shelf, neutral colored paint, or one oversized mirror.

Selecting Artwork for a Large Living Room Wall

Artwork is an impactful way to decorate a large living room wall. Paintings, prints, tapestries, and photos can all enhance a bare wall with color, texture, shape, and visual interest. Consider these tips when selecting artwork for your large living room wall:

Oversized Art

A single large-scale piece of art makes a dramatic statement. The artwork should be proportional to your wall size. An extra-large canvas print or painted mural both work well.

Gallery Wall

Grouping multiple pieces of artwork together into a gallery wall adds variation. Include a mix of framed prints, paintings, mirrors, and photos of different sizes.

Wall Mural

Wall murals come in many styles from nature scenes, to geometric patterns, to pop culture icons. Murals cover the entire wall with a cohesive image for major visual impact.

Mirrors

Mirrors effectively decorate a wall while making a room feel larger. Lean one large mirror against the wall or hang multiple frames in varying shapes and sizes.

Incorporate Texture Into Your Living Room Wall Decor

Add visual and tactile texture to your living room with unique wall treatments. Layering materials like wood, brick, wallpaper, and paint increases dimension and interest.

Textured Paint

Specialized textured paints like Venetian plaster or a chalky finish offer subtle depth. Faux brick or stone paint techniques recreate those textures on a smooth wall.

Wallpaper

From grasscloth and flocked prints, to embossed patterns and metallics, wallpaper introduces captivating visual textures. Install a wallpaper accent wall or cover the entire large living room wall.

Wood Planks

Line your wall horizontally with stained wood planks made from pine, cedar, or oak. Overlapping planks build rustic shadow lines into the overall look.

Brick or Stone

Faux brick or stone panels attach directly to walls for an affordable reclaimed warehouse chic. Peel-and-stick tiles offer a temporary and removable option.

Use Lighting to Enhance a Large Living Room Wall

Properly illuminating your living room wall decor heightens its visual impact. Accent lighting also adds style and functionality for rooms short on natural light. Try installing:

Sconces

Mount decorative sconce light fixtures along the living room wall. Their ambient glow dramatically highlights wall decor when illuminated.

Picture Lights

Picture lights focus light directly onto specific wall art or functional spaces. Affordable battery-powered picture lights easily install without wiring.

Track Lighting

Track lighting runs horizontally along the wall with adjustable spotlights. Point lights onto wall decor or darker spots as needed.

Add Functional Elements to a Big Living Room Wall

Large living room walls also present great opportunities to incorporate functional storage and organization. Seamlessly integrate purposeful wall decor like:

Shelving

Wall-mounted shelving introduces useful display space for books, plants, photos, art, and collected curios. Floating shelves make a sleek modern statement.

Bookcases

Bookcases take advantage of vertical wall space to store books, media, and more. Built-in bookcases with cabinets build valuable storage into the wall design.

A TV console or media center anchors a living room layout. Opt for an extendable wall mount or minimalist low-profile unit.

When dealing with a large living room wall, think big in terms of decorating possibilities! Evaluate the specifics of your wall, choose a style, layer textures, play with lighting, and incorporate functional elements. With the right wall decor selections, you can take that expansive blank space from intimidating to outstanding.