45 Timeless Living Room Wall Decor Ideas from Interior Designers Themselves

Living Room Wall Decor Ideas

Living room design is so much more than choosing the perfect sofa with a sink. Of course, putting together comfortable seating is important, but living room wall decor ideas are paramount in making your space feel more personal, beautiful, and interesting.

But if you’re wondering exactly how to decorate your walls, you’re in luck. Our interior designers shared all their best living room wall decor ideas, from wallpapering and adding architectural details to hanging three-dimensional objects and using accent lighting. No matter what look you’re aiming for, you’ll find inspiration in this list.

1. Living Room Wall Decor: Add a Selection of Pictures

Want to fill a small section of wall or just keep it simple? Use a carefully curated selection of paintings. Simply stack two or three pieces of art with contrasting frames, shapes, or styles (like a minimalist pattern with a vintage landscape) for a small, eclectic vignette.

2. Living Room Wall Decor: Break the Rules

Design rules are meant to be broken, especially when it comes to artwork and wall decor in the living room. Instead of framing shelves and stopping there, hang another piece of art on the outer wooden surface to break up the sharp lines and draw the eye inward. Take the look to the next level with a gold vintage statement frame.

3. Living Room Wall Decor: Embrace Asymmetry

Sometimes, less is more, especially when you embrace asymmetry. Instead of a standard, oversized centerpiece above the sofa, try disrupting the balance by using a small painting slightly offset to the left or right. When paired with the wall finish and a rich color palette, this look can be surprisingly striking (and stylish!).

4. Living Room Wall Decor: Install Painting Backlighting

Why not focus on your favorite artwork? To add a classic touch to your living room, install a backlight over a painting (or two). This will not only give your home ambiance but also that timeless, museum-quality feel we all love.

5. Living Room Wall Decor: Use a Screen

If you want to add personality and height to the corner of your living room but already have floor lamps and oversized plants, consider installing a custom-made room divider (this one from The Inside!). Choose a pattern, such as a subtle floral, to create an eye-catching backdrop that your guests are sure to notice.

6. Living Room Wall Decor: Paint an Accent Wall

Color is an easy way to liven up your living room, and all you need is a can of paint to create an accent wall. A monochromatic look, such as a dusty rose accent wall surrounded by adjacent pale pink walls, will give the interior subtle intrigue. If you’re brave enough to try a vibrant contrast, opt for an interesting color, such as bright blue or deep olive green, in the otherwise white space (as fashion icon and Havenly customer Blair Edie did).

7. Living Room Wall Decor: Use Wallpaper

Thanks to the invention of temporary, removable wallpaper, patterned walls are no longer a lifelong obligation. This means that festive prints are a very real option, even if you like to change the design frequently. Try starting by pasting the removable wallpaper on just one wall behind the sofa, or dive headfirst into the process and wallpaper the entire living room.

8. Living Room Wall Decor: Add Architectural Details

Just because your home doesn’t yet have beautiful architectural details doesn’t mean you can’t add them. Update your living room with moldings, wall panels, wainscoting, or wainscoting that will add structure and volume to flat walls. Vertical details help draw the eye upward and make rooms with low ceilings appear taller (a design secret).

9. Living Room Wall Decor: Try Decorative Tiles or Bricks

Peel-and-stick technology isn’t just for wallpaper—it extends to decorative tiles and stone as well. With peel-and-stick materials, you can get the brick wall of your dreams or the marble kitchen backsplash you’ve always wanted for a fraction of the cost. And there’s no construction work or mess.

10. Living Room Wall Decor: Play with Windows and Trim

If you don’t have a lot of wall space to decorate, focus on the windows and trim to give your living room character. Painting window frames and trim in a contrasting color (like Benjamin Moore Hale Navy here) will allow them to stand out and draw attention.

11. Living Room Wall Decor: Choose Large Artwork

Large artwork is one of our favorite living room wall decor ideas, whether you choose to hang a massive print as a centerpiece or combine two large, complementary pieces for a grand effect. Large wall panels and tapestries can also impress, giving a room much-needed texture and dynamism.