This post first appeared here over a year ago.
Since then I’ve gone back and zhushed it up a bit…so to speak
And, since this is still is a VERY popular question around here…I went ahead and re-posted it here today.
A reader sent in a great question last week…
“How do I decorate a large blank wall?”
How To Decorate A Large Wall
A large blank wall can make a room look so bland.
So today I’m sharing a few ideas on decorating these larger, often hard to tackle walls.
The big blank wall you might be obsessing over can be a little intimidating.
Trust me, I know.
It’s like you know the wall needs something… but you’re stuck as to what you should do.
Often these larger walls take a little time to get right.
Today I’m going to share with you some ideas on how to transform and decorate these big blank spaces.
I’ll show what has worked for me.
When it comes to a large, blank wall, you need a little creativity and sometimes a little elbow grease as well..
1. Evaluate the space.
There are no limits on how you can decorate the walls of your home, but you should start by thinking about what kind of effect you want the wall to have in the room.
If you’re in the dining room, do you want something dramatic? Or something that doesn’t distract from the dining room table.
If you’re thinking about putting decor above your sofa in the living room, you’ll want to consider the picture size or setup, since the sofa will prevent people from looking too closely.
It might be better to hang a large piece of art rather than smaller pictures, for instance.
It all depends on the room setup!
original post on this room here
2. Pick a theme… or don’t!
One of the most common ways to decorate your large blank wall is by using some beautiful pieces of art.
You can do this in a few different ways.
First you can find a large oversize piece of art. Finding a big piece of beautiful art that speaks to both you and the space that you’re designing can create a real statement within the space.
Gallery walls or more organized grids of art are another great way to go when designing for a large blank wall.
There are plenty of different ways you can set up your gallery wall and it all depends on what kind of style you’re going for.
For most people, they prefer that there be a common thread between all of the items so that it looks cohesive.
You might choose to go with all the same frames. Or, maybe you want a common theme like nature or travel, a common color, or a few smaller pieces gathered around a larger one.
You’re not just limited to artwork, in fact I love to frame special family heirlooms.
Meaningful items on your walls are both pleasantly eye catching and add so much personality to a space.
original post for this space here
The wall paint color above is Benjamin Moore Cumulus Cloud.
3. Strategic placement.
Before you break out the hammer and nails, you’ll want to lay everything out on the floor to see how it looks together.
There should be enough empty space between each piece of wall art and a focal point that will help center the rest of the pieces of art, even if it’s not physically in the center.
Make sure to consider where wall hangings will actually lay in reference to everything else and check that any pops of color look good together.
original post on this room with sources here
4. Measure everything (and then measure again!)
Hanging up multiple pictures can be a tricky business and requires multiple calculations and measurements.
It’s much easier with 2 people, so grab a buddy who can help with measuring and the math that comes with it!
Creating a gallery wall is the perfect way to use every bit of real estate in your home to personalize your interior design and keep your rooms from looking bland.
It adds personality to your home and a nice little pop of interest to what would otherwise be a boring area of your home.
No matter what your personal style is, a gallery wall is the perfect way to complement your home’s aesthetic!
original post on this room with sources here
You can also read more about Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray, the wall paint color in this room.
5. Mirrors
Using a large mirror on your large wall, will give the room the feeling of being bigger. This is not the only benefit of using the mirror on the wall. You’ll also provide the room with a simple focal point and often extra light.
There are also several ways to go when using a large beautiful mirror. You can either hang it up or you can lean it up against the wall. This is a great minimalistic approach – it’s both easy and classically chic.
Don’t miss all these great decorative mirror options here.
Pottery Barn Wall Mounted Shelves
6. Shelves
Floating shelves are such a great way to display art or antiques.
You can also use them to create an indoor type of vertical garden display if you love greenery inside your space.
When you pick your shelving don’t just go for the standard flat shelves try different options.
Lately I’m loving the look of these gallery shelves, more like sleek ledges.
You can also create a pattern using shelves and it will further enhance your wall.
These are just a few ideas on how to decorate a large blank wall.
Below I’ve gathered up a few more options (many of which I’ve used myself) to get your creative juices flowing.
You’ll never have to look at an empty wall again!
For even more wall decor ideas, be sure to check out this post on how to style a gallery wall, as well as what to hang on the wall behind the sofa and this post on how to decorate a staircase wall, another popular question around here!
Now that we’ve discussed walls…be sure to check out this helpful article all about choosing the right area rug for your space.
Conclusion
Hopefully you found some great home decor ideas here today.
I always appreciate your questions and might even use them in a post, like this one!
So please feel free to shoot me an email or leave in the comments, thanks.
A few more things…
Interior Design lovers! Have you joined our fun and VERY helpful design Facebook group?
In this group – members share photos with their design questions and dilemmas from their own home.
We all chime in with our best advice! We also spill our best sources and tips – so it’s great for sourcing hard to find items and pieces.
Lastly, to help you even further with your home projects, download my FREE DESIGN CHEAT SHEET, it’s loaded with all sorts of quick tips and handy measurements.
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