Looking for wall decor ideas to refresh your space? Those empty walls are filled with possibilities—and a few additions can make a house feel like a home. If you're ready to turn those stark, bare walls into stylish centerpieces, keep reading. No matter your style, we've got the tricks that can amp up your walls and bring out your personality and taste. Whether you’re an art collector, a nature enthusiast, or a book lover, your walls can be customized so that you can be surrounded by the things you adore. Discover 20 wall decor ideas that are sure to add style to your home.
1. Go for Large-Scale Art
Grant Gibson lets a 10' x 6' Peggy Wong photograph take center stage in a client’s living room.
Photo: Kathryn MacDonald
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 space or add color with a vibrant abstract piece.
2. Create a Gallery Wall
The Paris apartment of design dealers Laurence and Patrick Seguin features a wall of artworks by Richard Kern, David Noonan, Sam Durant, Carol Bove, and others. Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand designed the desk and swivel chair; the lounge chair is by Jean Prouvé.
Nothing adds personality and color quite like a gallery wall. Display a collection of art or photographs, or add wall hangings and other ephemera. Opt for simple, cohesive frames or bring in an array of ornate variations to mix things up! Pro tip: Extend the gallery wall to the ceiling to create the illusion of a larger space.
3. Incorporate an Accent Wall
In addition to adding to the walls, think about decorating the walls themselves. Try using a bright and bold paint color to create an accent wall, or bring in pattern with wallpaper, stenciling, or other decorative paint techniques. (Think about transforming your ceiling while you’re at it!) These decorative accents can have an even bigger impact in a small space.
4. Showcase Fabric
In a guest room at artist Cindy Sherman’s Hamptons farmhouse, a 19th-century Italian tapestry is displayed behind an Anthropologie bed draped with a suzani coverlet from Xenomania.
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A tapestry or wall hanging can add color and pattern, as well as a sense of softness to a space. Consider framing vintage scarves or other pretty textiles. Bonus: These are a lot easier to move than framed paintings when it comes time to head to your next home.
5. Hang Mirrors
A mirror from Hilary Batstone hangs in the living room of Oscar-nominated screenwriter Peter Morgan’s London home, which was renovated by interior designer Rose Uniacke and architecture firm Eldridge Smerin.
Photo: Simon Upton
Mirrors reflect light, helping a small space to feel bigger and brighter. Try hanging an oversized mirror, or display several smaller pieces salon-style.
6. Paint a Mural
A scenic landscape wallpaper by Au fil des Couleurs is the focal point of designer Amélie Colombet's inviting living room in Paris.
Photo: Martina Maffini
Let your walls transport you to another place by adding a mural. Whether you hand-paint it or choose a wall covering, the motif will make a big impact.
7. Install Shelves
If you’ve run out of floor space for bookshelves, take your collection to the wall. Install floating shelves and display hardcovers, small sculptures, and other odds and ends.
8. Hang Plates
An Italian hand-painted chandelier complements the breakfast room of designer Anouska Hempel's English manor house, where antique porcelain plates are displayed over the Georgian mantel.
Tim Beddow
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Why hide your fine china in the cabinet when you can show it off? Use wire plate hangers to display your favorite dishes and serving platters.
9. Add Sculptural Sconces
Designer Ashley Darryl put a modern spin on her friend Jeremy Globerson’s one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan by using clean-lined furnishings and carefully selected accents. Sconces by Apparatus and a painting by Hector Frank are displayed above the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams sofa in the living room.
Photo: Brett Beyer
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 to bring in light and style.
10. Bring In Plants
Plants don’t just have to sit on the windowsill. Try hanging or wall-mounted planters to add a bit of nature to your space and life to your walls.
11. Add Texture With a Weaving
Those ’70s macramé wall hangings have come back in a big way. The weavings add texture and warm up stark walls. Shop for them on Etsy, or try your hand at making your own.
12. Add Removable Wall Art
Minted has an incredible collection of grown-up, sophisticated removable wall art. The adhesive murals have a luxurious matte finish and come in a variety of styles. Removable wall art is perfect if you're renting and don't want to damage the walls.
13. Hang an Oversized Calendar
A large calendar works especially well on an office or kitchen wall. Keep track of your events while also adding a standout element to enliven your room! Try bright and bold calendars with sans serif fonts to create a modern look and add a pop of color.
14. Add a Giant Whiteboard or Chalkboard
A big board is a perfect functional addition to an office, playroom, or even kitchen. A chalkboard lends a rustic air to any room, while a whiteboard is the contemporary alternative—and you don't have to stick to just white (they're available in a variety of shades and prints). You can even take it to the next level and paint an entire wall with WriteWallPaint, which creates a writeable surface.
15. Create a Basket Wall
Bet you haven't considered this wall decor idea: Add baskets to your wall! Whether you want to go colorful or neutral, you can liven up any wall with an assortment of baskets in different sizes and textures.
16. Hang a Personalized Map
Add a large word map to your room's decor. You can order a personalized map of a city, state, country, or the world in just about any color palette. You can make it ultra personal by adding pins to the places you've visited or plan to visit.
17. Mount Your Television
Another way to go? Mount your television. Adding a flat screen to your wall can be a great way to free up space on top of your media cabinet, enhance your wall, and update the entire look of your living room or bedroom.
18. Add Shiplap Wall Paneling
Shiplap paneling will infuse your space with a fresh coastal feeling—and it works in any room. Whether your dining room, bedroom, entryway, or even bathroom walls need a refresh, consider adding the wooden boards typically used as exterior siding.
19. Mount Your Bikes on the Wall
Creating a stylish and sleek wall-mounting system for your bikes will give you more floor space and create an eye-catching focal point that will transform your blank wall. This is one of the most fun and functional wall decor ideas out there.
20. Use the Wall for Storage
The boot room in a Provence home is decorated with an assortment of hats. Atop the Indian chest is a vintage car box used for picnicking on the property; the walking stick has a basket for collecting truffles.
Photo: Marina Faust
Short on closet space? Why not show off your finery and create a striking and practical display? Install hooks or a pegboard and hang hats in a cluster.
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