The walls of your living room is the first thing that guests will notice when they enters your home, and they are the last thing that you will see before you turn off the lights each night. Your living room walls will set the mood for the entire room, they will reflect the personality that you have within your home, and they have the power to make your small living room feel expansive or a large living room feel cozy to those who enter your home. Yet, many people treat the walls of their living rooms as an afterthought to the décor of the living room.
Instead of treating the walls as an area to be adorned with décor that reflects the personality of the individuals who live in the home, many people simply purchase one large print or piece of art to adorn the walls of their living rooms. However, thoughtful décor for the walls of the living room do not necessarily require individuals to purchase new furniture for the room or to perform any renovations to there homes. To decorate the walls of the living room in a thoughtful manner, there are a variety of considerations that should be made for each element of the décor for the walls.
For example, each approach to décor for the walls have a scale associated with it, balance in the décor of the room, and the color choices that are made for the décor. Beyond this, each of the décor ideas that can be applied to the walls has a certain personality associated with it that helps to describe the individuals that live within the home and their personal design choices for there décor. These ideas have been sourced from years of experience applying décor to living rooms for friends and clients of the home décor enterprise.
Each of these approaches have benefits to each application, drawbacks to each approach, and certain types of atmospheres that will be created when each décor approach is applied to the walls of the living room. Therefore, individuals can choose to use one approach as their décor for the walls of their living rooms, or they can choose to use a combination of a few of these approaches to create an atmosphere that they desire within their living rooms. By following each of these methods, individuals can transform their living rooms from simple areas of a home into areas that they begin to feel most at home within.
Great Ways to Decorate Your Living Room Walls
1. Gallery Walls
One of the most common approaches to décor for the walls of the living room is the creation of a gallery wall. These types of décor solutions helps to solve the issue of scale of décor for the living room, as they allow individuals to decorate their living rooms with a variety of décor items of different sizes, yet still create an overall design for their living rooms that appear cohesive and intentional. For instance, individuals can lay all of the décor items that they plan to use for their gallery walls on the floor of the living room.
The items can be of any size or shape, but the spaces between each décor item should be maintained at about two inches in width. Each item can be black and white photo or color photos to provide some variation within the décor wall. An additional benefit of applying this type of décor to the living room walls is that any items within the gallery wall can be easily replaced with new items over time.
For instance, if an individual takes a trip overseas and finds an item that they feel represent their travels, it can be easily incorporated into the décor for the living room. Additionally, the items within the gallery wall should be arranged so that their centers are aligned to approximately sixty inch from the floor (eye level) to ensure that individuals entering the home will catch sight of the décor on the walls of the living room.
2. Large-Scale Artwork
Another approach to décor for the walls of the living room is the placement of large-scale artwork within the décor of the living room.
These types of artwork items will make a statement about the décor for the living room that individual pieces of art could never make for those who resides within the home. For instance, an oversized painting or photograph can be placed above the sofa within the living room décor. Such large-scale artwork will provide an sense of occasion for the décor of the living room.
Abstract art décor items that use bold color work particularly well within living rooms that have furniture of more neutral colors. Art of this type can be chosen that spans at least two-thirds the width of the furniture upon which it is hung. Should the art be smaller than this proportion of the furniture, individuals may feel that the art is an afterthought for the décor of the living room.
Additionally, many individuals will find that using large-scale artwork for the décor of their living rooms may require individuals to commit to using that art within the living room décor rather than having other décor items compete with the large piece of art. Yet, if individuals purchase art pieces of original content, they may find that the cost of such décor items is prohibitive for there homes. As such, high-quality giclée print art on canvas may provide the same texture as the original art without breaking the bank of the individuals who choose to incorporate such art décor into the walls of their living rooms.
3. Mirrors
An additional décor idea for the walls of the living room is the use of mirrors. The use of mirrors in the living room is a very practical décor idea, since the mirrors can serve two different function within the living room at the same time. One of those functions is that the mirrors will reflect the light within the living room, which can help to make the space feel larger and brighter within the home.
If individuals place mirrors opposite one of the windows in their home, they may almost double the amount of natural light that falls into their living room during the afternoons. Additionally, oversized mirrors with simple frames may be best used in moddern homes, while oversized mirrors with ornate frames may be better suited for traditional homes. Additionally, massive mirrors that are meant to be leaned against the wall may be best used within bohemian or other eclectic homes.
However, individuals should ensure that the mirrors are being placed in locations within the living room that will reflect certain attractive features within the home rather than features like the television set.
4. Textured Wall Treatments
Another décor idea for the walls of the living room is the use of textured wall treatments. Textured wall treatments can be applied to the living room walls to add a depth of décor to the room that flat paint or décor items cannot achieve.
Additionally, textured décor items will help to absorb sound that is played within the living room, which will help to even out the echoes that may be created by large living rooms that have hardwood flooring throughout the entire area. One approach to using textured décor items is to apply the texture to only one of the walls in the living room. For instance, an accent wall of deep charcoal color with grass cloth décor can be placed behind the living room shelves to add both interest to the décor of the living room and to help the books stand out from the rest of the décor within the living room décor.
Additionally, textured décor items for the walls of the living room may be more difficult to change later on for the individuals who live within the home. As such, it is recommended that individuals select a texture that they will love within their living room for many years rather than one that may become tiresome over time.
5. Floating Shelves
An additional idea for the décor of the walls of the living room is the use of floating shelves.
Shelves of this type may be used in the living room as a means of providing both storage for items within the living room, as well as as a means of using those shelves for displaying décor items within the living room. Additionally, the shelves will not take up as much of the area within the living room as more traditional shelves and bookcases. Items like books, decorative plants, ceramics and sculptures can be placed on the shelves of this type.
The shelves should be left with some negative space within them to allow each item on the shelves to have time to “breathe” within the living room. An odd number of items may be selected to be displayed on the shelves rather than an even number. In addition, individuals may have to mount the shelves into the studs within the walls, or use heavy brackets to support the shelves. This type of décor for the living room may be appropriate for individuals who own smaller homes with smaller living rooms.
6. Wallpaper
Wallpaper has become one of the most popular types of décor for the walls of the living room in recent years. The use of wallpaper for the living room décor is popular in part because the wallpaper can help to add some of the personality of the individuals to the décor that exists within the living room décor.
For instance, geometric designs in wallpaper may be best used within living rooms that already feature modern décor items, while botanical wallpaper may be best incorporated into living rooms that contain plenty of natural light during the days. Additionally, individuals can install wallpaper not just on one of the walls in the living room, but also on the ceiling of the living room décor. Additionally, individuals should consider using wallpaper that is removable from the walls within the living room to provide for the flexibility of those who use the living room décor.
For instance, if the individual is a renter of the home, it is essential that the décor be removable after a certain time period. Furthermore, wallpaper adds personality to the living room décor, so it is essential that other décor in the living room remains relatively quiet and does not compete with the wallpaper.
7. Vintage Maps and Architectural Prints
Another décor item that can be added to the living room is original vintage maps and architectural prints.
Beyond the fact that these types of art décor items will instantly add a sense of history to the décor of the living room, they will also help to start conversations among the guests of the home. Such décor items can be sourced from various antique shops in the area of the individual’s town, or they can be purchased online from various archives. Additionally, prints of these vintage items will often contain sepia tones or other muted colors that work well with the décor of the home.
Yet, the frames for these items must be replaced with frames that do not yellow over time in relation to the age of the prints themselves.
8. Mounted Plants
An additional type of décor item for the living room walls are plants that are mounted onto the walls of the living room. Plants for décor items have the benefit of adding a life element to the décor of the living room.
Additionally, plants has the ability to improve the air quality of the living room. Macramé items, floating planters and even vertical gardens can be placed onto the walls of the living room décor. Additionally, trailing plants, such as pothos or string of pearls, can be mounted on the walls. This type of décor is appropriate for individuals who would like to add a jungle element to their living rooms. Yet, care must be taken to ensure that the plants are provided with the care that they require in order to remain healthy. For instance, the plants will need to be watered, and they may need to be rotated from east to west or west to east in the living room to ensure that each plant receives an even exposure to the available light within the living room. However, the living element of the décor items may be worth the additional care that is required of the plants.
9. Neon and LED Lighting
Another décor idea for the living room is the placement of neon lights or LED lighting installations. Neon lights were once only used for dive bars and restaurants, but are now available in the homes of tasteful individuals who want to add an element of unexpected color to their living rooms.
These neon light installations will cast a soft glow into the living room that may be used as ambient lighting during the evenings. Neon lights can be installed with warm white colors or pastel colors rather than primary colors. If the neon light is mounted slightly away from the wall, the décor will create a subtle halo effect around the desired décor item in the living room. However, individuals should take into consideration that the neon light will require servicing over time.
10. Wood Paneling or Shiplap
An additional décor idea for the living room is the installation of wood paneling or shiplap décor items on the walls of the living room. Wood paneling can be installed into a home that utilizes any type of décor.
For instance, if the wood paneling is painted white, it may provide a décor option for individuals who would like to add a coastal element to their décor items. If the wood paneling is left in its natural state, it may help to create a Scandinavian or rustic décor element within the living room décor. Additionally, wood paneling may help to create the illusion of taller ceilings in the living room décor. Wood paneling can be installed only as an accent for the living room décor to create a wainscoting element, or it can be installed along the entire height of the walls in the living room décor. Wood paneling naturally adds texture to the décor of the living room that can be displayed in photographs of that home décor. Yet, because the wood element requires care as compared to paint, individuals must ensure that they can provide that care.
11. Deep Color Accent Walls
Finally, another décor idea is for the installation of an accent wall within the living room décor that is painted in a deep and surprising color. This approach to décor of the walls of the living room is the simplest approach, yet one that can have the maximum impact upon the décor of the living room if performed correctly. Deep colors like teal, charcoal and burgundy may be used for such décor.
Additionally, the accent wall can be prepared by taping the edges of the wall, and painting the accent wall using high-quality paint with a satin finish. Such deep colors may appear darker upon the wall than they may within the paint container. Therefore, the color should be tested on the wall prior to beginning the painting process.
Such décor for the living room may work best if other décor items in the room are kept to a minimum. Yet, by including only one accent wall in the living room décor, individuals can allow that décor element to reflect the personality that they have for themselves and their home décor. The walls of your living room are a canvas, the walls of your living room are an opportunity, and the walls of your living room is a reflection of you.
Your living room walls may feature one piece of art or they may feature a gallery wall of your choosing. Begin with one idea that excites you about your living room walls and live with that idea for a season before making any additional changes to the room. These types of rooms develops slowly over time and begin to collect the stories of your life in the same way that the objects in the room do.
Your living room walls are waiting to tell your stories.
