Design Your Large Wall: Tips for Perfect Proportions

Blank walls bogging you down in a design dilemma? We have good news – decorating a large wall in perfect proportions is much easier than you think. With a blank canvas in front of you, you can explore endless design possibilities, from traditional to minimalist. But before collecting inspirational photos, tape measures, and artwork, there are a few tips to consider. Next, we’ve outlined a professional design approach to ensure you end up with a beautiful backdrop for any large wall in your house.

To Decorate a Large Wall Must Know the Dimensions

When learning how to decorate a big wall, start by identifying your own style instead of blindly copying inspiration. Once you’ve decided on your personal style, you can focus and filter out looks that don’t fit your aesthetic or space, reducing costly redos later on.

Here are some important guidelines for choosing and hanging artwork on large walls:

1. When decorating large walls in groups, make sure each piece is about 3-6 inches apart. Otherwise, your collection may feel too scattered or disjointed.
2. When hanging an item on the wall, make sure its center is about 57 inches-60 inches from the floor. This is the ideal landing point for the line of sight.
3. When hanging items above the couch, try to hang them 8-10 inches above the couch.
4. When hanging an item from a mantelpiece, leave about 3-6 inches between the item and the mantelpiece.
5. When 1-2 bulky pieces are hung above the sofa, their total width is about 2/3 of the width of the sofa.

Always choose items that fit the size of your room and look for items that complement the architecture and design of your existing space. Measure the height and width of the wall (plus each piece you hang) rather than making temporary adjustments. When in doubt, use painter’s tape to create the outline of the item you’re considering before hanging anything.

Gallery Wall 101

A gallery wall is a proven design formula for beautifying a blank canvas. The walls of the gallery usually display a set of artwork and photographs hanging next to each other. Depending on your design goals, you can experiment with different frames and art styles. For example, if you want to achieve an eclectic look, mix effortless photos, oil paintings, decorations, and frames with various textures. Or, if you want a classic and neutral look, look for matching frames with a cohesive style to accommodate artwork of all sizes. If assembling a gallery wall from scratch feels too challenging, you can also purchase pre-made combinations like this one from Desino’s Big Art collection.

Tip: While vintage photos, landscape photography, art prints, sketches, graphic posters, and family photos are all safe bets, don’t be afraid to incorporate some spontaneous discoveries. From flea market items and sculptures to vintage tapestries and collectibles, any wall-mountable item is fully acceptable in the gallery’s wall arrangement.

Let a Piece of Work Take Center Stage

While gallery walls can inject personality and interest into any space, this feature wall can also create visual clutter. If you prefer a calmer atmosphere, choose only one or two pieces that are eye-catching but larger in size, rather than showcasing a series of pieces. This will immediately grab the attention of the viewer and anchor a big wall.

Consider zooming in on a photo of a loved one or favorite vacation spot. Or opt for abstract artwork that takes up most of the walls. This is especially effective for modern and minimalist spaces. Remember, it’s okay to deviate from traditional frameworks and art; You can also use three-dimensional parts with pig iron, wood, or glass to liven up your walls.

Lean Your Art

If you want the freedom and flexibility to change monitors throughout the year without having to worry about re-measuring or drilling holes every time, try tilt art instead of mounting it on the wall. To bring this design to life, install a ledge that fits the size of your space. This creates the perfect venue to display a group of artwork or sculpture at different heights, resulting in casual, cool, and collectible vignettes.

Use Mirrors

Mirrors will always be the main element of the design, boasting unparalleled functionality and aesthetics. There are a variety of ways to incorporate mirrors into your space to decorate large walls. First, consider an oversized, tilting floor-to-ceiling mirror that resonates with you, whether it’s old-fashioned grandeur or a modern silhouette. This creates the illusion of extra space and reflects artificial and natural light, which illuminates the entire space.

Mirrors can also double as windows, whether you choose ornate mirrors or mirrors that mimic the natural shape of the glass panes on standard windows. You can even create a mirror gallery wall by hanging only gold-plated mirrors to accentuate the scale of your space, reflecting light ten times over.

Tapestries and Textiles

Hang a bold cloth on the wall, the pattern can inspire you. If you’re having trouble starting point, look at the items you already have in your space and choose an item that blends the colors of your room together. You can even hang fringed hammocks, 3D woven fiber artwork, or fixable acoustic wall tiles (a bonus for noise reduction), such as Geode fiber art in West Elm or Ripple Shoreline by Felt Right.

Rely on Beautiful Woodwork

Another surefire way to decorate an empty wall is to show off decorative wall panels and moldings. There are a variety of options, from horizontal stripes to perfect grids and double raised paneled walls. For extra effect, decorate your paneled walls with bold tones, and if it looks too bare for you, add some artwork. Be sure to consider your unique molding details so your piece doesn’t overshadow or ruin your woodwork design.

Add Wallpaper Mural

Wallpaper murals are an interesting design addition that is perfect for decorating large walls. These murals cover accent or feature walls rather than wrapping the entire room. So, if you’re looking for a guaranteed way to add visual interest, texture, and color to your space, give murals a try. You can also search for wallpapers with a Trompe l’oeil effect, which is a dazzling graphic that will convince you that the visuals are real. If you’re looking for a surreal backdrop with bookshelves, landscapes, or even Ottoman-style walls, this wallpaper selection is ideal.