Decorating a large blank wall can feel daunting, but it’s also an exciting opportunity to add personality and style to your home. Whether you’re dealing with large empty walls in your living room, dining room, or even a hallway, the key is to think big and bold. Here are some creative large wall decor ideas to transform your empty wall space into a stunning focal point that enhances the entire room.
1. Create a Gallery Wall
A gallery wall is a timeless and versatile option for adding visual interest to any big blank wall. This is a great way to showcase a collection of your favorite artwork, photographs, and other personal mementos in a cohesive display. It’s also a perfect way to fill some serious wall space!
To create a balanced gallery wall, start by choosing a consistent color palette for your frames or artwork. You can choose matching frames for a uniform look or mix different sizes and styles for a more eclectic vibe.
When arranging your gallery wall, space your pieces of art about 3-6 inches apart. This helps avoid a cluttered appearance while still allowing each item to stand out. A good idea is to plan your layout on the floor or use painter’s tape on the wall before committing to nails and hooks.
If you’re not sure where to start, think about choosing one main piece that showcases your color palette or style. Then, add smaller framed art around it with colors pulled from the main piece, or use a consistent frame style for a streamlined look.
For more gallery wall inspiration, and a great source for frames, check out Framebridge.
2. Hang Large-Scale Art
When you’re looking to decorate a big blank wall, sometimes less is more. A single large piece of art can serve as a powerful focal point that instantly makes your space feel more luxurious. Whether you prefer abstract paintings, photography, or a dramatic landscape, a single large piece can fill a bare wall with big style. If you need help with sizing, check out my post on determining the best size art to fill your wall space,
Large-scale vertical art is particularly effective in rooms with high ceilings, as it draws the eye upward and creates a sense of grandeur. It’s also a great option for modern or minimalist interiors, where clean lines and bold statements are key. For those on a budget, you can DIY your own large-scale art with simple brush strokes on a large canvas, or try framing fabric or wallpaper.
3. Create an Accent Wall with Paint or Wallpaper
Painting your wall a bold color or installing wallpaper is a great way to add visual interest to large empty walls. An accent wall can transform the entire look of a room, creating a backdrop that commands attention.
A painted accent wall is inexpensive and a great idea for showcasing your color palette. Dark and moody hues like charcoal gray, deep green, or navy blue are great options for adding drama and sophistication to a space.It’s also super easy to change up when the mood strikes, or your personal style changes.
If you’re renting or like to change your decor frequently, peel-and-stick wallpaper is an easy way to achieve a high-impact look without the commitment of traditional wallpaper. With a variety of wallpaper patterns, textures, and colors available, you can easily find a design that suits your style—whether you like something bold and graphic or soft and subtle.
Expert tip: Pair your bold painted or wallpapered wall with neutral furnishings and accessories to let the wall take center stage.
4. Use Mirrors to Enhance Light and Space
Mirrors are another favorite way to decorate large blank walls. An oversized mirror can make a room feel bigger and brighter, reflecting both natural and artificial light. A single large mirror is a great option, or you can choose a grouping of smaller mirrors to fill up your wall space in an elegant way.
Consider leaning a floor-length mirror against the wall in a bedroom or dining room to break up wall space. You can also create a gallery wall using mirrors in different shapes and sizes for a unique look.
5. Create a Console Table Vignette
Interior designers love using a console table paired with a mirror or artwork to decorate a large blank wall. It’s a great way to fill the space while creating a stylish vignette in the room. Start by choosing a console table that suits the style of your space—whether it’s modern, rustic, or traditional.
Hang a large mirror or a large piece of art above the console table to serve as the focal point. Then, accessorize the table with decorative items such as vases, lamps, books, and small objects. The mirror will reflect light and make the room feel larger, while the accessories add layers of texture and personality. This arrangement works beautifully in dining rooms, entryways, or living rooms, and it’s an easy way to create a polished, cohesive look.
6. Add Tall Bookcases or Built-Ins
Tall bookcases or built-ins are a good idea for filling large empty walls while adding both storage and style to your space. Whether you choose standalone bookcases or custom built-in shelving, this approach allows you to fill up a lot of blank wall space in a functional and beautiful way.
Bookcases can be styled with a mix of books, decorative objects, and personal items that reflect your taste and interests. For a cohesive look, mix vertical and horizontal stacks of books and arrange items that help tie in with your color scheme.
The great thing about built-ins is that they can be customized to fit your room’s dimensions and your specific needs. In a dining room, built-ins can be used to display your fancy dishes, or serve as a buffet or home bar. In a living room or home office, they provide tons of space for books and collectibles, making them the perfect solution to fill any large wall.
7. Install Moulding for a Refined Look
Large blank walls are just crying out for something to dress them up! If you’re looking to add texture and dimension to a bare wall, a grid wall or picture frame moulding is an excellent choice. This easy-to-install architectural detail can break up a large wall and add a sense of refinement and luxury to your home. Paint it in the same color as the wall to create a subtle but impactful design feature that doesn’t overwhelm the space.
This approach works particularly well in formal spaces like dining rooms or hallways. If you want to take it a step further, consider combining picture frame molding with a contrasting paint color or wallpaper inside the frames for a layered, custom look.
8. Add Texture with Wall Baskets and Tapestries
For a more eclectic and organic approach, layering textures on a big wall is a creative way to fill up empty space. Wall baskets, tapestries, and woven textiles are all fantastic options for adding warmth and dimension to large empty walls. You can create a more cohesive look by choosing items in a similar color palette, or mix and match them for a Bohemian feel.
This technique is perfect for creating a cozy atmosphere in living rooms, bedrooms, or even kitchens. Large woven wall hangings, like tapestries or rugs, can serve as a focal point on the wall, while smaller baskets add detail and interest around it.
9. Use Visual Tricks to Make the Wall Appear Smaller
When faced with a large blank wall, one effective trick interior designers use is to place decor in the corners to visually reduce the size of the entire wall. This is a great technique for a really long wall, and can easily be combined with some of the other ideas above to make any large empty space feel significantly smaller.
By adding elements like an accent chair and lamp in one corner and a large plant in the other, you can break up the expanse of empty (aka negative space), making the wall appear less wide. It’s a simple yet powerful way to decorate a large wall, while also creating a more cozy and inviting feeling in the room. Using this technique, you can see that the remaining visual wall space (in purple below) is smaller than the full span of the wall, making the entire wall appear to be less wide.
Conclusion
Decorating a large blank wall doesn’t have to be difficult or overwhelming. With the right approach, you can turn a big wall into a stunning focal point that enhances the entire room. Whether you choose to go bold with large-scale art, add depth with picture frame moulding, or create a personal touch with a gallery wall, there are endless possibilities to explore. Don’t be afraid to mix and match different ideas to find the perfect solution for your space.
