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Design 101
How To Choose the Best Wall Decor for Your Space
A blank canvas is ideal for many creative endeavors, but when you are faced with an empty wall, it’s hard to know where to begin. Don’t worry — we’re here to help. Whether it’s a full side of a room or simply plugging in gaps between furniture and other artwork, wall decor can be a chic and unique way to add both style and personality to a room. Read on to learn more about choosing the right wall decor for your home.
Different Types of Wall Decor
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Accents
Wall accents are available in an endless number of options; think decorative plates, metal sculptures, carved wood pieces, signs, and more. Adding three dimensional elements to the walls can add depth and texture in interesting ways.
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Picture Frames
Using frames to showcase photos or prints will turn your favorite images into an artful display. You can arrange them in a straight line, as a gallery wall, or use them to fill in gaps of space. Also, don’t be afraid to mix and match; it can add character.
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Wall Art
Add a touch of personality to rooms by hanging wall art that expresses who you are. Display a hero piece on its own, or place multiple complementary works together.
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Mirrors
A mirror will help open up spaces visually by reflecting light and brightening the space. Add one or several mirrors in a small room to create the illusion of a larger space, or try adding it to a gallery wall for a larger area.
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Tapestries
Woven wall decor has been making a comeback, and it’s easy to see why: often crafted using cotton, wool, or a mix of both, tapestries add textural appeal as well as warmth to a room’s aesthetic.
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Decals & Stickers
Self-adhesive and easy to remove, decals and stickers are ideal for renters and homeowners alike. They can also be a fun way to add play to a kid’s room or nursery.
Wall Size & Space
When decorating your walls, choosing the right art for the right space can make all the difference in setting the tone and style of your room. Here are some tailored ideas to suit walls of different sizes:
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For a Large Wall
A large piece of wall art can make a bold statement and fill up the space. For a more varied look, a gallery wall composed of multiple smaller pieces can add variety and interest. You can also mix and match different types of wall art, such as paintings, prints, photos, mirrors, or sculptures.
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For a Small Wall
A small piece of wall art can add a touch of color and charm. Or you can leave it a blank wall to create a sense of spaciousness and minimalism. You can also use wall shelves, hooks, or sconces to add function as well as beauty.
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For a Narrow Wall
A vertical piece of wall art can create a sense of height and drama, while a horizontal piece can create a sense of balance and harmony. You can also use murals or smaller wall decals and stickers to create some patterns or scenes.
Style & Mood
To find a wall decor that fits your room aesthetically, either find a piece that matches and enhances the overall theme and atmosphere of your space. Here are some styles that work with many homes’ aesthetics:
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For a Modern or Contemporary Room
Choose wall art that is abstract, geometric, or minimalist. To add some contrast and brightness to a more muted color palette, consider wall art that is colorful, metallic, or glossy.
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For a Traditional or Classic Room
Either opt for wall art that is realistic, floral, or ornate to add more flair, or a more simple, muted, or matte piece to add elegance and coziness to your room.
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For a Bohemian or Eclectic Room
Ideal for mixing and matching, this room style lends itself to wall art that is exotic or whimsical. Consider hanging souvenirs from your travels, wall plants and planters, or other vibrant and textured pieces.
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For a Rustic or Farmhouse Room:
To complement the charm and warmth of the room, choose wall art that emphasizes the room’s vintage, earthy, or neutral look through wood and other natural materials.
Wall Color & Lighting
Consider the wall color and lighting in your room. You want to find a piece that harmonizes or contrasts with the existing hues and tones of your space. You also want to find a piece that works well with the natural and artificial light sources of your room. Here are classic color and lighting combinations for wall art:
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For a Light-Colored Room: A similarly light-colored wall art can create a sense of continuity and calmness, while a dark-colored wall art can create a sense of contrast and drama.
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For a Dark-Colored Room: A similarly dark-colored wall art can create a sense of depth and richness, while a light-colored wall art can create a sense of brightness and freshness.
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For a Room With Natural Light: A matte wall art can create a soft and subtle effect, while a glossy wall art can create a shiny and reflective effect. You can also choose wall art that is warm or cool, depending on the direction and quality of the sunlight.
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For a Room With Artificial Light: A glossy wall art can create a lively and dynamic effect, while a matte wall art can create a cozy and intimate effect. You can also choose wall art that is warm or cool, depending on the type and intensity of the light bulbs.
General Tips for Choosing Wall Decor
Decorating your walls is one of the simplest yet also one of the most effective ways to completely transform a space. The best wall decor can be a breath of fresh air for your living room, bedroom, or office space — but finding the perfect items is no easy task.
Below, we’ll give you a few basic pointers to help you add depth, style, and personality to any room in your house. Whether you’re going for a minimalist style or a more bohemian look, the basic rules of thumb still apply!
What Is the Best Thing To Put on Walls?
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to wall decor. The best thing to put on your wall will mostly depend on the size of the room, the color palette, and, of course, your personal style.
To determine the best piece of wall decor for a specific room, try to think about what feeling or atmosphere you want to create. Are you seeking a serene environment that invites you to relax and chill? Or are you after an energetic look that helps you stay locked in while at work?
If you’re leaning more toward the relaxing vibe, go for soothing art prints, small mirrors, and cozy textiles. Anything could go here, as long as it doesn’t take too much visual space.
For a more vibrant and stimulating aesthetic, try to pick bold artwork and colorful fabric designs. If you have shelves on your wall, adding a few statement sculpture pieces or eye-catching decor can also go a long way.
How Many Walls in a Room Should Be Decorated?
We know, we know: decorating each and every wall in your room can feel tempting. But, as with most things related to interior design, less is often more.
In fact, leaving one or two undecorated walls in your room can amplify the effects of the decorated one. Start by decorating the most visible wall in the room. Once you’re done, take a step back and check if the adjacent walls leave enough space to breathe.
Larger rooms will probably be able to handle some extra decor on the other walls, too. But keep in mind that walls with windows, doors, or large pieces of furniture may not need any extra decoration.
How To Measure Your Wall Space for Decor
Purchasing wall decor online is as satisfying as interior design gets — but correctly measuring your room is key to avoiding nasty surprises. Start by determining the total height and width of each wall in your room with a measuring tape.
Once you have a specific piece of wall decor in mind, use the measuring tape to space it correctly between the furniture, the other decorations, and the corners of the room. Take a close look at proportions: a small piece of decor probably won’t look harmonious next to a large piece of furniture.
If you’re thinking of placing multiple pieces of decor at once, plan the arrangement before buying anything. Keep in mind the overall scale and balance of your setup — too many small items on a large wall can end up feeling too cluttered.
Best Wall Decor Ideas for 5 Popular Interior Design Styles
The best wall decor can define and amplify a room’s personality and set the tone for the rest of your decorations. But there’s no need to start from scratch: below, you’ll find five key decor styles for your walls and rooms.
The Best Transitional Wall Decor
Transitional styles are defined as a blend of traditional and contemporary aesthetics, offering the best of both worlds. Think of pieces that balance modern simplicity and minimalism with classic elegance. Art prints, ornate mirrors, minimalist sculptures, and simple photographs will be the main things to look for! As far as colors go, consider muted tones mixed with black or white pieces of decor to add a sense of luxury.
The Best Minimalist Wall Decor
Minimalism is all about simplicity — clean lines, neutral colors, and plenty of space are the way to go if you’re looking to embrace modernity. Think about simple pieces to decorate your walls, such as large prints or monochromatic paintings that don’t look too conspicuous.
Throwing in a few shelves can also do wonders as long as you’re only pairing them with minimal decor. Less is more when it comes to colors too: try to go for black, white, and gray pieces with a few pops of color here and there.
The Best Traditional Wall Decor
Traditional wall decor is all about remaining ornate and classical. Look for artwork and ornaments rich in color, shapes, and historical themes. Framed paintings are your number one priority, but also think about tapestries, mirrors, and sculptures.
If you’re struggling to get that traditional, almost nostalgic feel, check if you’re getting your symmetry right. Balance is key when it comes to a traditional aesthetic, and so is leaving little space between the main pieces of decor.
The Best Contemporary Wall Decor
Contemporary (which shouldn’t be confused with minimalist) decor focuses on clean lines, bold shapes, and vibrant contrasts. Large statement pieces should be the focal point on your walls. Think modern abstract art or an intricate wall hanging.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with unusual materials either! Glass or metal, for example, can make a fantastic contrast if they’re the centerpiece of your wall. As far as colors go, pretty much anything can work as long as it’s rather muted and not too eye-catching.
The Best Coastal Wall Decor
Coastal decor emphasizes light, airy, and rustic elements above all else. Besides the obvious nautical themes, think of pieces that will invite your guests into a quiet retreat near the beach. Woven baskets, wicker wall art, and driftwood sculptures are just a few examples.
Also, mirrors with distressed frames or a few seaglass pieces here and there will help you capture that coastal essence a bit further. Of course, your palette should focus on blue, green, and sandy neutrals to evoke the feeling of being on the coast.
Complete Your Room With the Right Wall Decor
Choosing the right wall decor for your home can be a fun and rewarding experience. By following these tips and tricks, you can find the best wall art for your space and style. Discover the right wall decor to complete your room and showcase your taste and personality.
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