You stare at that huge bare wall every single day. It makes your home feel cold and unfinished. You do not want to spend thousands of dollars on a massive canvas painting. I experienced this exact frustration last year. My new living room had a massive empty space above the sofa. I refused to hang another generic store bought picture. I tested several styling concepts. Some failed completely. Others made the room feel instantly warm and finished. You can style a massive space using texture, light, and everyday objects.
This guide gives you 25 ways to fill a large blank wall without buying more art. You save money by thinking outside the picture frame. You make your space look like a timeless living room. We look at everything from hanging textiles to floating shelves. You get exact product names and real costs. You read my honest opinions on what works best. Pick one idea and start styling your space today. Here is what you get from this guide:
- Save money by skipping expensive framed pieces
- Style a huge room with minimal effort
- Find fresh inspiration for empty corners
1. Install Floor To Ceiling Curtains
Curtains do not just cover windows. They soften hard edges in any room. I hung cheap IKEA Ritva curtains along a solid wall last spring. The fabric makes the room feel instantly warmer. Floor To Ceiling Curtains trick your eye. They make ceilings look much taller. You can hide uneven drywall this way. Pick a neutral linen fabric. Hang the curtain rod close to the ceiling. Let the fabric pool slightly on the floor. This makes elegant home decor look completely effortless.
2. Lean An Oversized Framed Mirror
Oversized mirrors double the light in a room. I placed a huge round gold mirror in my bedroom. Watch out for moisture gathering at the bottom curve. I noticed water pooling on my frame last summer. Keep the glass spotless for a true Vida De Luxo home standard. I exclusively clean with Norwex microfiber cloths and Sprayway glass cleaner. Never spray vinegar on vintage frames. I ruined a vintage frame that way once. The acid peeled the gold paint entirely off the wood.
3. Hang A Large Boho Macrame Piece
Fiber art fills vertical space beautifully. You can easily craft a DIY macrame hanging. I prefer thick cotton ropes for a boho style. Keep these away from damp areas. Damp air destroyed a beautiful piece in my hallway three years ago. Cotton absorbs moisture very fast. Keep fiber art in dry spaces instead. This ranks high among large blank wall ideas.
4. Display Reclaimed Wood Architectural Pieces
Old wooden doors offer instant character. Avoid using cheap new pine for a DIY sign. I threw away a piece of pine three months ago. The finished sign looked entirely mass produced. Authentic weathered wood looks much better. It gives your space a very cozy feeling. You can find old corbels at salvage yards. Mount them firmly to the studs.
5. Paint A Dark Living Room Wall Color
Paint costs less than thirty dollars per gallon. A dark shade makes the space recede. It makes the room feel deeper immediately. Pick a deep charcoal or forest green. I painted my guest room black last winter. The dark paint makes cheap furniture look expensive. Use a matte finish to hide drywall flaws. This remains one of the cheapest large blank wall ideas living rooms need.
6. Install Floating Wood Shelves
Long floating shelves break up a massive vertical space. Buy solid oak or walnut boards. Bracket them directly into the wall studs. You can place books and plants on them. I put three staggered shelves in my office. They hold my vintage camera collection safely. Dust them weekly with a 3M cloth.
7. Mount A Collection Of Woven Baskets
Flat woven baskets cost very little at thrift stores. You can arrange them in an organic cluster. Use small nails to secure them. They offer texture without feeling heavy. I arranged twelve African baskets in my dining room. The round shapes soften the square room. This is completely renter friendly. You only leave tiny pinholes behind.
8. Assemble A Statement Hat Display
Your hats deserve to be seen. You can hang them on brass hooks. A curved arrangement looks completely natural. Wide brim fedoras and straw hats work perfectly. I hung my summer hats in the entryway. Grab one easily before leaving the house. It fixes your storage issue instantly.
9. Place A Tall Indoor Tree
A massive plant fills empty space fast. Buy a six foot tall Ficus Audrey or Olive tree. Put the nursery pot inside a decorative ceramic planter. Top the soil with real moss. Live plants make a room breathe. I water my indoor tree every Sunday morning. It grew two feet in just six months. Keep it away from cold air drafts.
10. Attach Acoustic Wood Slats
Wooden slat panels absorb room echoes. You can buy them in tall sheets. Screw them straight into your drywall. The vertical lines draw your eyes upward. I installed walnut slats behind my television. They hide all the ugly power cords perfectly. The wood tones warm up cold grey paint.
11. Secure Removable Wallpaper Panels
Peel and stick wallpaper changed everything for renters. You do not need messy glue anymore. Order a mural with a massive botanical print. I put a floral mural in my bathroom. The quality blew my mind. It peels off in one sheet when you move out. Buy an extra roll just in case you make mistakes.
12. Display Vintage Guitars Or Instruments
Musical instruments look like sculptures. Mount strong guitar hooks into the studs. Hang your acoustic guitars horizontally or vertically. They stay safe from pets and toddlers. I keep my grandfather’s old acoustic guitar on the wall. Guests always ask me about it. Play it whenever you feel inspired.
13. Lean A Rustic Blanket Ladder
A tall wooden ladder holds your throw blankets. It takes up vertical space beautifully. Find an old orchard ladder at a flea market. Sand down any rough splinters first. Drape three chunky knit blankets over the rungs. I keep my thickest wool blankets here. Grab one quickly on cold nights.
14. Mount Oversized Wall Sconces
Lighting fixtures double as metal sculptures. Hardwire two massive brass sconces onto the drywall. You do not even need real electrical work. You can stick battery powered puck lights inside the fixtures. I use the remote control to turn them on. They glow beautifully at night. This gives you a highly styled look for cheap.
15. Hang An Antique Area Rug
A thick Persian rug looks incredible on a wall. It absorbs sound just like wood panels. You need a strong curtain rod to hold the weight. Sew a sleeve on the back of the rug. Slide the rod through the sleeve. I hung a red Turkish rug in my hallway. It makes the space feel like a tent.
16. Put Up A Giant Analog Clock
A massive clock acts like a modern art piece. Choose one measuring at least three feet across. Pick a metal frame with no glass cover. Glass covers reflect too much glare from windows. I bought a huge iron clock for fifty dollars. It clicks quietly in the background. Check the battery every six months.
17. Install Board And Batten Trim
Wooden trim changes flat drywall completely. Nail thin pine boards in a grid pattern. Paint everything the same color as the trim. This creates shadows and architectural interest. I spent exactly sixty dollars on wood trim last May. The project took one Saturday to finish. It drastically elevated my home style.
18. Showcase A Living Moss Frame
Preserved moss requires zero water or sunlight. You can glue different moss types onto a large board. Frame the board with raw oak. Hang it firmly on heavy duty anchors. I made a huge moss rectangle for my basement. It stays soft and perfectly green all year. Keep it out of direct sunlight.
19. Place A Tall Storage Cabinet
A vintage armoire fills a massive gap perfectly. Search local estate sales for solid wood pieces. A tall cabinet gives you hidden storage space. I store all my ugly board games in a French armoire. It stands almost at the ceiling. The heavy wood anchors the entire room.
20. Display Your Vinyl Record Collection
Record sleeves feature incredible graphic design. Install clear acrylic ledges in neat rows. Rest your favorite vinyl records on the ledges. You can swap them out every single month. I keep my classic rock albums on display. It acts as a constantly changing gallery.
21. Mount A Pegboard For Tools Or Crafts
Pegboards belong in the house too. Paint a large pegboard to match your trim. Frame the edges with wood to make it look finished. Hang your scissors and spools of thread neatly. I use one for my small gardening tools. Everything stays organized and within easy reach.
22. Arrange An Array Of Empty Vintage Frames
You do not need anything inside the frames. Collect antique frames with ornate carvings. Paint them all the same glossy color. Hang them closely together in a gallery shape. I painted ten thrifted frames bright white. The texture speaks for itself. Use Method brand cleaner on the frames weekly.
23. Lean A Tall Shoji Screen
A folding room divider looks beautiful pressed flat. Buy a wooden screen with rice paper panels. Lean it directly against the drywall. It gives soft texture to a cold room. I put a four panel screen behind a low sofa. It acts exactly like a dramatic headboard.
24. Paint A Geometric Color Block Design
Grab some painter’s tape and three paint colors. Tape off a massive arch or diagonal shape. Paint inside the lines for a bold graphic punch. I painted a terracotta arch behind my desk. It cost me five dollars in sample paint pots. It defines the workspace perfectly.
25. Install A Floor To Ceiling Bookshelf
Cover the entire span with inexpensive bookcase units. Bolt them firmly to the studs. Nail trim to the top and bottom edges. This makes cheap shelves look totally custom. I filled mine with novels and small ceramics. It acts as the ultimate living room wall designs feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean a dusty vintage frame?
Dust ruins the feel of your home quickly. I realized a dusty frame and cloudy glass ruined my space last year. Gently wipe the wood with a dry Norwex microfiber cloth. Do not use wet sprays on old gold paint.
Can I hang macrame in a bathroom?
You should strictly avoid this. I stated earlier that damp air destroyed my hallway piece. Bathrooms hold far too much humidity. Keep thick cotton ropes in dry areas instead.
What is the best glass cleaner for large leaning mirrors?
I firmly stand by Sprayway glass cleaner. Invisible Glass works wonderfully too. I spray the foam directly onto the glass. I wipe in a tight zig zag motion. This leaves zero streaks behind.
How do I make renter friendly changes?
Removable wallpaper and floating shelves work best. You can fill small nail holes with toothpaste when you move. I prefer using temporary hooks for lightweight items. Always check your lease agreement first.
Should I use pine wood for DIY wall decor?
I tell my friends to skip cheap pine. I threw away a pine farmhouse sign recently because it looked mass produced. Search for reclaimed wood instead. Old wood holds real character.
Conclusion
You hold twenty five fresh ideas in your hands. You do not need to settle for boring canvas prints. I figured this out through trial and error over many years. Try leaning a massive mirror. Hang floor to ceiling curtains. Paint a bold arch. Your home should reflect your personal taste entirely. Stop staring at that bare drywall. Pick your favorite idea from this list. Go to the hardware store this weekend. Change your living room today.
Anya Castellan is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Home Wall Trends. An art history graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design with twelve years of experience writing for leading American design publications, she specializes in composition, gallery wall theory, and the quiet architecture of domestic space. A former contributing editor at Architectural Digest and guest lecturer at Parsons School of Design, Anya personally reads and signs off on every piece before it is published.
