How do you decorate a living room wall?
Choose one focal wall, usually behind the sofa, and decorate it with a large piece of art, a gallery grouping or a mirror. Hang the centre of the artwork about 145 cm from the floor, and make it roughly two thirds the width of the furniture beneath it.
Ideas that work
- One large piece: a single big artwork feels calm and confident.
- Gallery wall: a group of frames, in a consistent colour or theme.
- Mirror: adds light and space, especially opposite a window.
- Shelves: a mix of books, ceramics and small art, styled with breathing room.
- Textile: a woven hanging adds texture and dampens sound.
How to hang a gallery wall
1. Cut paper templates for each frame and tape them to the wall.
2. Move them around until the arrangement feels balanced.
3. Keep 5 to 8 cm between frames.
4. Start hanging from the centre and work outwards.
5. Stand back and adjust before making the final holes.
Sizes that look right
Small art on a large wall looks lost. If in doubt, go bigger. A large piece above a sofa should cover about two thirds of its width.
Colour and style
Match the frames to the room's palette. A [Scandinavian](/blog/scandinavian-living-room-ideas) room suits simple wood or white frames; a [mid-century](/blog/mid-century-modern-interior-design) room suits abstract art and warm wood.
Renting
Use picture ledges, leaning frames or adhesive strips rated for the weight. Ledges let you rearrange without new holes.
Try before you drill
Upload a photo of the wall to [ThinkDecor](/ai-room-redesign) to see how a new colour or style looks around your art. For a full room plan, see [living room decor ideas](/blog/living-room-decor-ideas).
