39 Wall Decor Ideas to Bring Your Space to Life | Architectural Digest

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There are a few different ways to look at a blank wall. It could be a source of dread—or an empty canvas, beckoning for expressive wall decor ideas. While most people will agree that a room needs furniture and nearly everyone wants those furnishings to be comfortable, it’s much harder to figure out what to do with empty walls, which is why some homeowners and renters choose to ignore them all together. Whichever perspective you have, never fear; it’s not exactly easy to fill a blank wall with design ideas, but it’s not impossible. All you need is a little direction.

“People often think of art as an afterthought or as something that has to perfectly coordinate with the design of a room, and that’s a trap that should be rigorously avoided,” says architect Nicholas Potts. “At its best, art adds depth to a space by allowing for personality quirks and idiosyncrasies to shine through. It shows that a home wasn’t ordered straight out of a catalog.” Read on for 39 different wall decor ideas to turn this sometimes daunting design task into a positive experience.

Rich colors are found throughout Rooks’s apartment.

An oversized painting or photograph will command attention and set the tone in a small space. Try a black-and-white photo in a minimalist bedroom or add color with a vibrant abstract piece, as pictured above in Taylor Rooks’s Manhattan apartment. (Check out our guide on where to buy art online to source striking and affordable pieces.)

This homeowner’s study features a wall of artworks by Richard Kern, David Noonan, Sam Durant, Carol Bove, and others.

This trend has been going strong for years, and for good reason: It’s a great way to showcase your interests, display souvenirs, and give a room some color. But Potts says that there’s a trick to a successful gallery wall, and it comes down to planning. “Make sure there is enough hierarchy in color or size where a viewer’s eyes can clearly understand what should be highlighted versus what’s filler,” he says.

Moldings can be interesting enough wall decor on their own, but hanging artwork inside of their borders can up the visual interest even further.

If you have a bright sofa, patterned rug, or intricate lighting, perhaps the best plan of action is to install molding on a wall. “Moldings, instead of things, can be just as effective at demarcating space and allow the eye to breathe,” Potts says. Plus, if you’re into Parisian style, this is an easy way to incorporate that effortlessly sophisticated look into your home, and art is optional.

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A home’s balance is often achieved through the details, and one way to make sure that you’ve followed through on this is by juxtaposing opposite aesthetics with your wall decor. Potts likes to do this through art, either by hanging contemporary pieces in picture frames to contrast with a more traditional home, or by installing more classic works within a newer setting. “Old masters can look amazing in modern spaces,” he says.

Chasing Paper

Accent walls can be a great way to add visual interest to your room, but to prevent the feature from looking dated or out of place, there are a few wall decor ideas you can use to blend them in. Designer Dabito of Old Brand New says that if you want to bring attention to one wall in a room, here’s how to make it happen: “If you’re going to paint an accent wall, complement it with decor like art or a screen divider to ensure that it integrates seamlessly without standing out like a sore thumb,” he says.

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Because mirrors reflect light, they make a small area feel bigger and brighter—while also acting as a statement piece. Hanging a large mirror proportional to the surrounding furniture, like above a console or bookcase, is usually the best bet. But you could make a gallery wall out of mirrors too. Just make sure they all share a component to make everything cohesive.

Large built-in shelves means your wall decor ideas are as endless as your tchotchke collection.

Let’s say you have a lone fireplace in the center of a long wall. Consider yourself lucky, because this is the ideal opportunity to install built-in bookcases on either side. “These custom features add drama, architectural details, and a bespoke feel,” Dabito says. You can either hack IKEA cabinets to fit, or hire a local carpenter to make it happen without breaking a sweat.

Hanging a cabinet’s worth of plates is sure to create a meaningful moment on your wall, but even a few well-placed dishes will do.

Why hide your fine china or vintage dinnerware in a cabinet when you can show it off? Use wire plate hangers to display your favorite dishes and serving platters, especially if they share a color scheme. It’ll be fun to turn something you love into a focal point, without worrying about hand-washing later.

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Sconces add an extra source of light without taking up space on the floor or a side table. Choose an eye-catching design that doubles as a wall sculpture, particularly on a large wall, and it’ll add visual interest in the living room day and night. “A sconce in a glass or metal material goes such a long way against a matte-painted wall,” says designer Jen Levy of Surrounded by Color.

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Plants don’t just have to sit on the windowsill. Make use of hanging or wall-mounted planters to add a bit of greenery and texture to your walls. You can stick to succulents for their low-maintenance nature, or try a plant that’s with vines that’ll crawl down the wall and add even more life to the room. Those of us not blessed with green thumbs can consider opting for a high-quality faux plant.

Etsy

The woven quality of macrame adds texture to a wall without a lot of fanfare, which can be appealing when filling small corners, like half walls besides door frames, or wider ones, like the upper half of a wall above a bed. These wall hangings are easy to find on Etsy, but you can also DIY a creation, if you so please.

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A large calendar works especially well on an office or kitchen wall, since you can keep track of your events while also adding a standout element to enliven your room. As far as choosing a color palette goes, you could either coordinate with the existing paint so that your to-dos blend in, or you could go for a bold shade so that your plans are never forgotten.

Lime-washed walls add some refreshing texture to this space.

The whimsical and earthy quality of lime wash is a compelling decorative feature in and of itself, particularly if you’re aiming for a minimalist yet cozy ambiance. “Lime wash is here to stay,” Levy says. “It adds so much warmth, texture, and color to any space. This is always a splurge that pays off.” One further suggestion? Add lime wash to the ceiling, and you’ll be totally enveloped in color.

Pottery Barn

If you have a standalone office, or you want to make the most of a wall in a playroom, consider installing a whiteboard or chalkboard for daily doodles, thoughts, and brainstorms. If you’re feeling committed to the look, you can take it to the next level and paint an entire accent wall with WriteWallPaint, which creates a writable surface.

Scenic wallpaper can lend a storybook vibe to any setting in your home.

Sure, installing wallpaper is a tall order. And asking for that wallpaper to align perfectly so that it creates a scene is even more of a challenge. But when you pull it off, it’ll be worth it—whether that’s in a small entryway alcove, a dining room, or a playroom. “It can create a moment of escapism,” Potts says. “One of my favorite tricks is to use a panoramic wallpaper in a tiny space, creating an immersive and transporting moment.”

Tempaper & Co

Another way to add texture to living room walls without creating an overwhelming effect is to go with grasscloth. “Install it in a rich, bold color to add depth,” Dabito says. “I love using natural materials because they make a room feel warmer and more tactile, adding a sense of coziness and inviting touch.”

Cozy wood paneling looks good with or without any added wall decor.

While Fixer Upper and farmhouse style frenzy have made white shiplap synonymous with on-trend upgrades for quite a while, there’s another way to make this look work that feels less modern farmhouse and more Sea Ranch: wood wall paneling. Natural finishes instantly make a room feel lived-in and can complement most any art.

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If you want an unexpected material to fill a wall space, Potts says that you should consider cork. “I have a project underway in the Rockefeller Apartments in New York with an entrance gallery fully lined in 12x24 inch cork tiles,” he says. “It adds a layer of softness and even changes the acoustic experience of the space.”

Etsy

Minted and Etsy have extensive collections of grown-up, removable wall art. The adhesive murals have a luxurious matte finish and come in a variety of styles so that it’s possible to personalize a nook or an entire living room without damaging it.

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If you’re a routine shopper, then there’s a good chance that you’ve come across a mask or two in the midst of your wall art searches. Dabito explains that hanging masks can create color and dimension on a wall. Just make sure that they’re all different sizes so that the room decor reads as sophisticated, not as a store.

Giving a bust beneath the display its own hat adds an extra touch of whimsy (and some dimension) to this vignette.

Do you unwittingly have a full hat collection in your closet? If there are some similarities between them—such as being of a similar woven texture or a certain shape—then perhaps you’d like to display them above a dresser in your bedroom. Dabito says they’ll still look stylish, even when not in use.

Coordinate paint to your furniture for a cohesive look.

The anchoring furnishings of a room, like an upholstered sofa or a vintage coffee table, can also inspire the paint color you choose for the walls. For instance, if that sofa is a sky blue shade, then consider painting the walls in a similar color that has a hint of shine. “It can be extremely fun to play with subtle variations of color on different surfaces to trick the eye,” Potts says. “Working with different hues within a similar intensity on adjacent surfaces can change how the light and the proportions of a space are perceived.”

Goodee

A good rug can tie together the look of a whole room. And while they’re great on the floor, they can also do double duty as boho wall decor. Two-by-three-foot picks stand out when hanging above a fireplace, but you could go bigger to cover a larger footprint above a console as well. If you’re not into buying a rug just to put it on a bare wall, you could also attempt the same looks with scarves as the wall covering—the chunkier, the better.

Whether you book spines are facing in or out, lining a wall with open bookshelves gives your space a lived-in feel.

Mount long floating shelves on sturdy brackets in an unusual spot, like the back wall of a living room or beside a kitchen breakfast nook, to slide in some storage while adding visual interest to your walls. It can be an ever-evolving area of your favorite home decor depending on how you style the shelves, from books to trinkets. You can paint the shelves or leave them as is. “Our favorites are from Shelfology, but we’ve been known to use Closetmaid shelving brackets from Home Depot too,” Levy says. “They both give a really cool, utilitarian look.”

Robin Anderson, who is relocating to Switzerland in the fall, plans to use jumbo gingham fabric by Beata Heuman to skirt the sink in the farmhouse her family is renting. “This was my practice run!” she laughs.

To add depth without taking up too much square footage, consider installing a slim ledge above a bed. You can use this ledge to place framed photos and tchotchkes, as in this Robin Anderson–designed home. It’ll ultimately be easier to switch things out than if you created a full-on gallery wall.

“Many rental apartments don’t have a true entry, they just open right into the main area,” Molly Torres Portnof explains. Because the awkward space was not large enough to accommodate an actual console, Molly had this racetrack mirror shelf custom made by JB+DG to create the feeling of an entryway moment. “It’s a great small-space solution for your keys and bags as you head out the door,” she says.

Another interior design trick for effortless dimension is layering a number of items together in a teeny footprint. In this entryway, designer Molly Torres Portnof added hooks, a mirror, a ledge, and a piece of art to create a decorative moment that also brings in some much-needed functionality.

A touch of blue was added to the custom walnut chest of drawers to create a visual connection with the Jan Kath Spacecraft 11 rug. The black clothing rod that hangs from the old growth fir ceiling contrasts with the brass hangers from Bocci / OAOWorks.

While this might not be everyone’s idea of the most sophisticated wall decor, those of us who have a lot of clothes may find it to be the most worthwhile. Put your favorite pieces on display with a mounted clothing rod. The black clothing rod in this Falken Reynolds-designed home accentuates the room’s enviable ceiling height, but even more importantly, it makes it easier to get dressed in the morning.

This couple already owned a Kallax bookcase from IKEA, used to create a wall of storage for the homeowner’s music collection. Designer Ahmad notes that millwork is expensive, so this budget-friendly solution meant he could splurge where custom work was a must-have. Two of the homeowner’s prized instruments are on display—and kept out of the way when he’s not playing them—thanks to their wall mounts. The handy sea-foam pouf, which can be moved around the apartment as needed, is from Burke Decor.

Another great option if you’re short on square footage and want to display your interests: mount your instruments, especially on white walls. This solution gives you decorative power and convenient storage all in one, like in this guitarist’s apartment by Project AZ.

The artwork above the kids’ beds in this room are coloring posters by Omy. The 1920s twin beds (Etsy finds) were a great moment for color, painted in a Benjamin Moore green. The geometric quilt (seen at the foot of the bed on the left) was made by Libs.

Whether you love to doodle or share a home with little ones, consider adding a place for people to draw. In this apartment by design couple Caroline and Tim McKeough, coloring posters were the move, but you could also add a butcher paper roll for the same look.

The primary bedroom is something of a showcase for the built-in geometric headboard that dates back to the ’60s, complemented by a simple Floyd bed frame and Noguchi lamp.

If the room you’re looking to refresh your wall decor in happens to be a bedroom, then getting an over-the-top headboard, like this one in the Silver Lake primary bedroom of Rachel Traub and Todd Banhazl, might be the perfect solution. The more dramatic it is, the less you’ll need any other supporting components.

A room divider as headboard can prevent the need for art above the bed.

If you come across an intricate wall screen at a vintage shop or thrift store, Dabito suggests using it as a headboard for an easy bedroom wall decor idea. A room divider can add color, texture, and dimension all in one, making any art above it unnecessary.

“People can get kind of myopic about where they shop,” says the collection specialist. “I’d maybe offer advice on being open to shopping in unexpected places.” Case in point: the wooden pegboard hanging in the kitchen, found at Maisonette, a children’s boutique.

Whether you’re decorating a kitchen, a mud room, or a home office, a pegboard can be a great wall decor piece that also functions as storage. Apartment dweller Kayla Dalle Molle opted for a minimalist pegboard, but you could pick one that feels more vintage or more industrial depending on the style of your home.

For a cocoon-like bedroom, pair suede wallpaper with a soft draped wall hanging.

Suede isn’t just for furnishings. It can create a sumptuous textural atmosphere when used as wallpaper, as designer Todd Raymond did in this primary bedroom with luxe camel colored option from Phillip Jeffries. For an added effect, Raymond incorporated draped fabric to mimic the swooping lines on the walls. “It helps soften the room and doubles down on the cocoon-like, zen feel I think all bedrooms should have,” he says.

Renters may consider wall-to-wall curtains to leave a space mostly unscathed while getting your fill of wall decor.

You’re likely well aware that curtains should frame windows for aesthetics and practicality. But if you want to amplify the coziness of a bedroom, consider hanging curtains across an entire wall, particularly one that’ll act as a focal point. “In an otherwise stark room, a fully pleated fabric wall can add warmth and interest—particularly with a velvet that picks up shadows between the peats,” Potts says. “For renters, this can also be a great way to leave the walls undamaged.”

Framed fabric looks just as chic as art but can come at a fraction of the cost.

Oversized art can cost a pretty penny, but if a large, showstopping design detail would be an ideal addition to your living room, then don’t despair; simply buy a patterned fabric and frame it in the size you need. You can purchase a large, inexpensive frame at IKEA, or even DIY one with wood cuts supplied from a big box store. Make sure the fabric is pulled tightly inside the frame and no one will no the difference.

Chairish

Don’t think that hanging a flag across an entire wall automatically has to be a sign of patriotism (although you can certainly go that route, if you’d like). You can find any number of flags and pennants with a tapestry-like vibe online, either through vintage retailers like Chairish or small businesses on Etsy.

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Do you want to have an ever-changing reminder of your nearest and dearest? On a small wall, like in a hallway or a guest bedroom, use a clothesline and pins to put up Polaroids as a tribute to loved ones and good times. Three rows of clothesline in equal measure will make the portrait display look intentional, and you can add or subtract images over time. As a bonus, it might be something guests would love to contribute to.

Wall paneling extending to the doorframe here creates a cohesive look.

Potts says that he often looks to bygone eras for design inspiration, and historically, decor was much more integrated into architecture. “Think panels that extend the look of the door frame, or false openings that create balance in a room,” he says. “We shouldn’t be afraid to take some of the same approaches, and use the placement of art to change proportions.” If you have a room with tall ceilings, consider hanging a mirror above a door. Alternatively, you can install a false door to balance out a long wall.

A pair of Serena & Lily hanging rattan chairs hang in the living room. Custom Beni Ourain wool rug.

You don’t always have to center art on a wall. In fact, having some fun with the placement can make for more interesting results. “Think about your art beyond the constraints of its frames, and how the subjects might relate to each other,” Potts suggests. “You can [position] a figure in a painting [to] look toward a window, as one example. If you have art with similar shapes or colors, find a way to make them relate to each other, and be bold with placement.”