Home » Havenly Posts » » 40 Timeless Living Room Wall Decor Ideas, Straight From Interior Designers
Designing a living room is so much more than finding the perfect, sink-right-in sofa. Though accumulating comfortable seating is certainly important, living room wall decor ideas are paramount to making your space feel more personal, beautiful, and interesting.
But if you’re wondering how exactly to decorate your walls, you’re in luck. Our interior designers have shared all their best living room wall decor ideas, from installing wallpaper and adding architectural details to hanging three-dimensional objects and utilizing accent lighting. No matter what look you’re going for, you’ll find inspiration on this list.
And there’s no need to limit yourself to just one of these living room wall decor methods. Combining multiple ideas, like an accent wall with floating shelves or bold drapery flanking statement artwork, will yield the most compelling results. As long as you give your walls some love, you’ll be in good shape.
1. Paint an Accent Wall
Paint is an easy way to spice up your living room—and all you need is a single can to craft an accent wall. A tone-on-tone look, like a dusty rose accent wall surrounded by pale pink adjacent walls, adds subtle intrigue. If you’re brave enough to try a stark contrast, opt for a fun color like bright azure or rich olive green in an otherwise white room (just like fashion icon and Havenly client Blair Eadie).
2. Apply Wallpaper
Thanks to the invention of temporary, peel-and-stick wallpaper, patterned walls are no longer a lifetime commitment. That means festive prints are a realistic option, even if you like to switch up your design often. Dip your toe in the water by applying removable wallpaper on just one wall behind your sofa or dive right in and wrap your entire living room in it.
3. Add Architectural Details
Just because your home doesn’t already feature beautiful architectural details doesn’t mean you can’t install them. Elevate your living room with molding, wainscoting, board-and-batten, or shiplap siding, which each add texture and dimension to flat walls in their own way. Vertical details help draw the eye upward and makes rooms with low ceilings feel taller (a designer secret).
4. Try Faux Tile or Brick
Peel-and-stick technology isn’t just for wallpaper—it extends to faux tile and stone, too. You can use peel-and-stick materials to achieve the exposed brick wall of your dreams or the marble bar backsplash you’ve always wanted for a small fraction of the price. And none of the construction or mess.
5. Play Up Windows & Trim
If you don’t have a ton of wall space to decorate, focus on your windows and trim to add character to your living room. Painting the window frames and trim in a contrasting color (like Benjamin Moore Hale Navy, featured here) will make them pop and draw just the right amount of attention.
6. Go For Oversized Artwork
Oversized artwork is one of our favorite living room wall decor ideas, whether you choose to hang a single, massive print as a focal point or pair two large complementary pieces for a big impact. Large wall hangings and tapestries can also make a splash, while contributing necessary texture and movement to the space.
7. Curate a Gallery Wall
Gallery walls are a classic for a reason—they work! This tried-and-true method of hanging art can manifest itself in multiple different ways, from a modern gallery wall using matching frames in the same size, to a nostalgic gallery wall with cohesive black-and-white photos, to an eclectic gallery wall that mixes an assortment of mediums, colors, shapes, and sizes.
8. Create a Mirror Moment
From the virality of Anthropologie’s Gleaming Primrose mirror to the resurgence of Ettore Sottsass’s 1970s Ultrafragola mirror, mirrors are having a moment. Consider hanging a statement mirror on the wall behind your sofa or propping up a standing mirror on an empty wall to reflect the light and make the room feel larger.
9. Hang Three-Dimensional Objects
Think outside the box and use household items as living room wall decor. For a cozy look, source vintage plates or cookware and create an exhibit. If you like to travel, collect woven baskets in each place you visit and hang them for everyone to see. Such three-dimensional displays are treats for the eye.
10. Put Up a Picture Ledge
Rather than hanging framed art with nails and hooks, put up a picture ledge for highlighting your favorite pieces. Picture ledges offer the opportunity to frequently swap out your art, which is especially helpful if you have a large collection. Plus, the look is a bit more modern and streamlined than the traditional gallery wall.
11. Consider an Antique Mantel
Scour your local reclamation yards and vintage shops for an ornate antique mantle. Then, use it to create a faux fireplace that will give your living room a classic elegance. It doesn’t matter that you won’t be able to spark a flame—it’s all about the visual intrigue. Believe it or not, the above fireplace is actually faux — here’s the full DIY.
12. Utilize Wall Lighting
With a variety of wall lighting, you can enhance your living room wall decor in multiple ways. Picture lights are used to illuminate your artwork, while sconces can highlight architectural features in your living room or simply add to the ambiance. Make sure to incorporate dimmers on all your lights to alter the mood throughout the day.
13. Embrace Bold Drapery
Try embracing bold drapery to showcase your personality. Whether you prefer to get daring with color or pattern—or both—flowy window treatments will punch up your living room wall decor instantly. They’re also very easy to swap out in the future if your tastes change.
14. Experiment With Floating Shelves
Floating shelves are an easy and cost-effective way to add decor to any wall in your living room. These open surfaces can constantly be restyled with your favorite objects and heirlooms, so you’ll never get bored of their presence in your space. They look especially chic when flanking the fireplace or television.
15. Go Vertical With Shelving
Looking for a more expansive living room wall decor idea? Consider floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, styled with your favorite reads, plants, decor, and more. This low-lift technique adds both vertical interest as well as layered depth to your living room, while also serving as a functional space-saver to store (and display) your mementos.
16. Add Built-In Storage
For anyone with the budget and resources to renovate, investing in built-in furniture is a winning move. Built-in bookshelves are perfect for creating a library in your living room, while built-in benches offer additional seats without taking up space. Built-in cabinets are extremely useful for extra storage and built-in media centers conceal all your technology in a beautiful package.
17. Create a Custom Wall
Especially situated alongside a stately fireplace, built-ins give a living room a particularly polished look. The beauty here is in the details — with a mostly white space, it’s key to be intentional about styling. Cabinet doors can tuck away any clutter, leaving shelves free for beautiful books and decorative objects.
18. Design a Memento Moment
Put your souvenirs on display — no shelves necessary. This eclectic space gets plenty of character thanks to this mixed-material wall display. Be sure to vary the sizes, textures, and depths of the items you hang on your wall for a curated look. Think outside of the box! There’s no reason you have to stick with just framed art.
19. Install Wall-to-Wall Drapery
Your curtains don’t need to stand out from your wall — but with a clever styling trick, they can look more intentional. In this space, a single, narrow black curtain rod runs along the entire black wall, creating a feeling of unity between the two large windows and emphasizing their black trim. Simple white drapery adds a calming finish.
20. Find a Graphic Focal Point
One good piece of art has the power to transform a room — and that’s true of the black and white painting in this interior. It ties in well with the black trim of its surrounding windows and emphasizes the height of the room’s ceiling.
21. Install a Tiled Fireplace
Floor-to-ceiling tile (or in this case, faux tile) rarely doesn’t make a eye-catching statement. On a living room wall, it’s especially unexpected, and gives a built-in fireplace a Moroccan-inspired look that perfectly suits the modern, organic space.
22. Fill a Display Cabinet
Instead of open shelves, consider a display cabinet for your storage and decorative needs. Not only is it practical (less dusting necessary!), but it also helps to “frame” the items that you put on display.
23. Create a Seamless Look
There are countless ways to make all-white walls look interesting. This space embraces a “less is more” approach with minimal art. Trim and doors are covered in the same exact shade to blend together, while playful details like arches add a fun architectural twist.
24. Go Dark and Moody
When you want to create a space that feels cozy and intimate, it might be time to pick a dark paint color. Here, dark blue practically envelopes this living room — while white Roman blinds still allow plenty of light in.
25. Style an Artful Mantel
This living room is all about nuance. Although the white fireplace blends into the white walls around it, small details elevate it: A simple yet striking piece of art propped on the mantel and two modern silver sconces.
26. Invest in Stylish Shades
High-quality window fixings can make a big difference — especially against white walls. Several large windows allow ample light to stream into this living space, but natural-toned shades give the option of privacy. Not to mention, they complement the room’s warm wood floors.
27. Mount Shelves Along a Fireplace
No built-ins, no problem: In this living room, floating shelves help to style out a fireplace. Select decorative items in neutral colors, plus a few books, complement the natural stone mantel.
28. Design a Corner Library
Built-in bookcases are nearly always a good idea — but this kid-friendly space takes it to the next level. A colorful collection of art and a kiddie-sized table and chairs make this corner especially appealing for tiny tots. And once they’re bigger, those shelves can still serve their function!
29. Mount a Contrasting Shelf
Built-ins aren’t the only way to go. In this living room, a tall, black metal shelf makes a cool contrast to white walls. The dark color helps the colorful books on its shelves to “pop,” while the structure itself ties into the room’s black trim and rug.
30. Make a Cozy Nook
If you have the chance to do some renovation work, consider installing built-in benches alongside a fireplace. They’ll add depth to an otherwise under-utilized wall space, and provide a comfy place to read or hang out.
31. Add a Unique Wall Hanging
When you’re hanging a three-dimensional piece of art on your wall, there’s no need to overcomplicate it (that is, unless you want to!). Here, a single, large woven basket creates a gorgeous textured focal point.
32. Style Out an Accent Wall
You might know that a black accent wall can create dimension in your living room — but have you considered all the ways you can style it? Consider this interior the case for going all out, with floating shelves and decorative accents, to make a dark accent wall even more dynamic.
33. Go Subtle With Art
Here’s proof that your wall art doesn’t have to “pop” to make a difference. The muted tones of these paintings and their frames hardly contrast with their shiplapped white walls, but rather offer a subtle decorative accent.
34. Embrace an All-White Look
Even if you’re a self-proclaimed minimalist, you don’t have to eschew detail! A contemporary white painting — with a contrasting black trim — adds intrigue to this bright space. An architectural light fixture in solid white also brings a dynamic touch to the room, without sticking out.
35. Take Advantage of Window Ledges
Leaning art on shelves, as opposed to hanging it, is one of our favorite styling tricks in the book — and it also works with window ledges! Decorative objects in a similarly muted color palette, a few framed prints, and select books give this relaxed space a more “lived-in” vibe, without looking cluttered.
36. Install a Bar Wall
Who needs a bar cart when you can have a bar wall? Floating shelves add extra storage space for glasses, liquor bottles, and a few extra decorative accents — perfect for the home mixologist who’s tight on space.
37. Tie Together a Color Palette
Pops of blue add a cool coastal vibe to this living space. Two large indigo paintings not only mimics the lined pattern of the rug, but creates a sense of cohesion throughout the room.
38. Add a Pedestal
For an artistic look, a pedestal topped with an antique-inspired sculpture totally elevates this New York City apartment. A shelf safely installed over a radiator also takes the focus off this less-than-aesthetically-pleasing necessity, giving frames prints pride of place.
39. Selectively Install Shiplap
You don’t have to go full farmhouse to add a bit of shiplap to your space. In this room, it adds a bit of character to a built-in modern fireplace, making it look distinctive from the white walls around it while still looking relatively minimalist. Black and white mantel decor — including a large mirror — add to the look.
40. Carve Out a Bookcase
It bears repeating that built-in features — if you have the luxury of installing them — can make a space shine. But it’s important to note that built-ins don’t have to take up a whole wall. A small built-in bookcase in the corner of this living room makes the most of a sliver of wall, without taking up any valuable floor space.
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