6 Clever Ideas for How to Decorate a Big Empty Wall 

Last Updated on October 26, 2024 by Vannessa Rhoades, Three Bears Home Staging

If you’ve got a large empty wall behind the couch or above the bed, you know how challenging it can be to find the right decor. Some homes have enormous walls that are simply too tall or wide to decorate easily. In other spaces, it may be that your smallish decor feels dwarfed by all the blank space. 

Whether it’s a large living room wall, a stairwell, a bedroom, or a dining room, a large blank wall can act as a focal point. It’s essential to make certain you’ve styled it in a way that has a positive visual impact. With a little planning and the right decor, you can turn any blank partition into a beautiful display. If you’re looking for big empty wall ideas for your living room or other spaces in your home, you’ve come to the right place! Take a look at six decor ideas for blank walls that are sure to inspire you.

Important Note for Home Staging: Remember, a staged home is different than a lived-in home. If you’re planning to put your home on the market, now is not the time to break out your collectibles or hang a gallery wall of family photos. Buyers need to be able to envision themselves living there, not be reminded that they are a guest in someone else’s home. Keep decor neutral and tasteful. Avoid personalization when staging a home for sale. Not planning a home sale? Do whatever you think looks prettiest!

1. Hang Over-Sized Art

Extra-large artwork is one of the most tried-and-true blank wall ideas for a living room. From canvases to framed art, these oversized pieces will easily become the focal point of your room.  

Photo by The Decorators Unlimited – More home office ideas

2. Create a gallery wall

If large-scale artwork is out of the budget or unavailable, consider creating a gallery-style display with smaller artwork. Creating a curated wall collage out of multiple pieces allows you to fill the wall like a single large piece would. You can create a symmetrical and linear arrangement or a more free-flowing and organic design. The important thing is to plan it out before nailing holes in the wall to make sure it’s the effect you want.

See Related Article: How to Hang Art (and How to Figure Out Exactly Where to Put the Nail)

Pro tip:  To avoid lots of unnecessary holes in the walls, trace each art piece on craft paper and cut it out. Next, place each on the wall with painter’s tape. Move the craft paper around as needed until you get the placement just where you want it.

Photo by Lux Decor – More family room ideas

Photo by Linda McDougald Design | Postcard from Paris Home – Look for home office pictures

3. Add a Mirror

Besides making a room feel instantly bigger and brighter, mirrors are an ideal way to add visual interest to big empty walls. Try groupings of smaller mirrors or consider a leaning option that can be placed in any room. From an entryway to a boring hallway, this design element is sure to improve your space’s aesthetic appeal. 

Photo by Pegasus Builders, Inc. – More entryway photos

4. Try Floating Shelves

Floating shelves add a pop of interest to any area — from floor to ceiling. Style these surfaces as you would any other. From framed photos to plants or decor, well-curated vignettes will make any empty large wall space come to life.

Photo by Tracy Dunn Design LLC – Associate, ASID – Search living room pictures

5. Integrate Tall Furniture and Decor

For a different approach, you can always use a piece of accent furniture to help break up blank wall space. Adding a tall armoire, a floor lamp, a decorative ladder, or even a tall plant is a great way to fill the space. 

Photo by Ellen Grasso & Sons, LLC – Look for family room pictures

6. Add Architectural Interest

Adding an architectural element, like wainscotting or a textured accent wall, can give your room more depth and dimension. It also helps infuse a bit of character into your space and make that big empty wall a whole lot more interesting.

Photo by Mary Hannah Interiors – Discover bedroom design inspiration

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