Large empty walls can be very intimidating for any interior designer. How can you utilize all the wall space? I’m helping three readers develop stylish ways to fill space in their homes.
I started my DIY On The Fly series last year and it’s been so much fun helping my followers solve their design dilemmas both on the blog and on Instagram. It’s been a pleasure exploring your homes and brainstorming creative solutions for difficult spaces!
Empty walls, oh my!
Recently, as I was reviewing submissions, I noticed a recurring theme – empty walls. Readers asked questions like, What should I put on top of the sofa? How do I decorate a blank wall in my bathroom? What about that weird empty space in the kitchen or hallway? It has become clear that many of us face this same challenge.
That’s when I realized it was time to dedicate an entire blog post to decorating big empty walls. These spaces are blank canvases, full of potential, but they can also feel intimidating to approach. The good news? With the right approach, a blank wall can be transformed into a prominent feature that adds personality and functionality to your home.
In this post, I help three readers solve their wall decor dilemmas, and show creative, practical, and beautiful ways to fill their empty walls. Whether you’re working with a cozy living room, a functional bathroom, or a combined living/dining space, these ideas will inspire you to embrace those empty walls and make them your own!
Anna’s Design Dilemma – Blank wall above the sofa
If you’re looking at a big blank wall above your couch and feeling confused, you’re not alone. Anna’s space is a perfect example of how a well-designed wall can make a big impact in your living room.
First, I would look at other areas of the room. What’s on your other walls? Do you already have sets of tires somewhere else? Does the room feel cluttered and crowded? I don’t have any other photos of Anna’s space, but I noticed a shelf in the corner and maybe some additional items to the right of the photo. I don’t think it will need any additional shelves above the sofa.
My gut says to keep it simple on the sofa to keep this room from feeling cluttered. Therefore, I will choose one of the design plans below.
Art statement with photo light
Large Wall Art // Picture Light
I will choose one horizontal piece above the sofa with the light pictured above. Or choose two vertical pieces of art with a light image above them. Either way, you want large-scale art to take up at least two-thirds of the width of the sofa. Repeat after me, 2/3 of the way! Any smaller size will look just as delicious. Read this blog post on size and proportion to get it right.
The light of the picture will add some interest and make things look a little more picturesque. Just make sure the light of the image extends two-thirds of the width of the artwork. Are you sensing a theme here?
Two pieces of art with candlesticks
Wall Art // Sconces
If she chooses two vertical pieces, she should place them no more than 4 inches apart so that they look like a cohesive piece of art. There are a lot of wall pieces that are sold in pairs, so I would find something that resonated with Anna and go from there! Also make sure you hang it at the correct height. You don’t want to hang too much art above the sofa. This blog post contains the best tips for hanging items above any piece of furniture.
For the exterior, I would choose gold sconces to add some warmth and additional light sources to the living room. This will create a balanced look in the space.
Which option do you prefer?
Carey’s Design Dilemma – Too much space in an open plan home
Have you ever stared at a giant blank wall in an open space and felt completely overwhelmed? Kari’s design dilemma is one I hear often—how to design a large wall that extends into the living and dining areas without looking cluttered or separate.
Create functional areas
Gallery Wall // Blue Storage Cabinet // Floor Lamp // Gold Planter // Blue Vase
I will divide this huge wall into separate areas with different functions. To create functional areas, think about the activities happening in each part of the room and how the decor can support them.
They appear to have children’s items behind the sofa and perhaps a chalkboard wall. So, I’ll dedicate this area to the kids and have plenty of storage space to hide toys away. I would suggest moving the brown dresser to the left, behind the sofa.
Above it, a gallery wall can be really fun and I love this option from Framebridge to make it even more accessible. Black and white family photos will make things look polished, relaxed and personal.
Instead, I would choose a large cabin with glass cabinets. This would catch the eye, take up little wall space, and add more storage space to their home. Glass cabinets also create a visual anchor to divide a length of wall. This dresser comes in many colors and I was very drawn to this gorgeous blue. It will add a little fun to this family-friendly home.
Remember, filling a wall doesn’t always mean hanging things on the wall. Adding a tall planter with some greenery or a floor lamp will also help fill the room, cover empty wall space, and add life and function to the space.
Kari’s large wall is a perfect example of how thoughtful design can bring function and character to even the toughest of spaces.
But what if your design dilemma is the exact opposite – a small wall that looks empty and uninspiring? Let’s take a look at Lena’s bathroom
Lena’s Design Dilemma – Bathroom walls are boring
Lena mentioned that this is their most used bathroom and she hates feeling “crazy.” I think the vanity room is the perfect place to have some fun with colors and patterns. Small spaces are my favorite places to incorporate bold colors like navy blue or rich green.
Wooden wall treatment
You know I love a good wood wall treatment in the bathroom. I have beadboard in the basement and in our master bathroom, and then added molding to our first floor bathroom. Wood is an excellent way to add an accent to your walls and is usually cheap and quick to install.
In Lena’s space, I’ll choose picture frame molding on the bottom third of the walls. On top of that, I would choose pink wallpaper. (I told you we were going to be bold here.) Let’s take a look at my design plan!
Bold powder room design
Floral Wallpaper // Picture Frame Tutorial // Gold Towel Ring // 2 Sets of Frames
No one would ever describe this bathroom as “blah”! The wood wall and wallpaper take things to the next level and make the space feel cozy and elegant. I’d choose a stack of two frames above the toilet and a gold towel ring near the sink. Other than that, I don’t think it needs much on the walls.
I know people get really nervous when using dark colors in a small space. I’m telling you, these dark blue colors will create the illusion of more space. The entire room will feel spacious and welcoming…trust me!
More decor ideas for a large blank wall
Need more decorating ideas? There’s a good chance these blog posts will spark some inspiration for your home.
Final thoughts on decorating empty walls
Decorating a blank wall doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you’re working with a large blank wall, an empty wall in a small area, or even an entire wall in a room with high ceilings, you can intentionally fill the space. The most important thing is to balance the decorative elements with your personal style and the overall look of the room.
