How to Decorate a Large Wall with the Perfect Scale

Avert the most common decorating mistakes as you recast a blank wall into a meaningful display.

Blank walls placing you in a design rut? We've got good news—decorating a large wall with perfect scale is much easier than you might think. With a blank canvas in front of you, you can explore endless design possibilities that run the gamut from traditional to minimalist. But before you gather inspiration photos, a measuring tape, and artwork, there are a few techniques to consider. Ahead, we outline pro design methods to ensure you end up with a beautiful backdrop for any large wall in the house.

Must-Know Measurements for Decorating a Large Wall

When learning how to decorate a large wall, first pinpoint your style versus blindly copying inspiration. Once you've determined your personal style, you can focus and filter out the looks that do not fit the aesthetic or space, which lessens costly redos down the road.

Here are some important guidelines for choosing and hanging art on a large wall:

1. When decorating a large wall using a grouping, ensure each piece is about 3-6" apart. Otherwise, your collection may end up feeling too scattered or disjointed.

2. When hanging a piece on your wall, ensure its center is about 57"-60" from the floor. This is where the ideal eye level falls.

3. When hanging pieces above a sofa, try to aim for 8-10" above.

4. When hanging a piece over a mantel, leave about 3-6" between your piece and the mantel.

5. When hanging 1-2 large pieces above a sofa, aim to have its total width about 2/3 the width of your sofa.

Always choose items that fit your room's scale and scout items that complement your existing space's architecture and design. Measure your wall's height and width (plus each piece you're hanging) instead of winging it. When in doubt, use painters tape to create outlines of the pieces you're considering before hanging anything.

Gallery Wall 101

Gallery walls are a tried-and-true design formula for sprucing up a blank canvas. Gallery walls typically display a grouping of art and photos hung in proximity. And depending on your design goals, you can experiment with different frames and artwork styles. For example, if you want to achieve an eclectic look, mix lighthearted photos, oil paintings, decor, and frames in myriad textures. Or, if you want a look that yields something classic and neutral, scout matching frames in a cohesive style that accommodates various sizes of artwork. And if it feels too challenging to assemble a gallery wall from scratch, you can also buy pre-made ensembles like this one from Desino's Big Art collection.

What to Hang in a Gallery Wall

While vintage photos, landscape photography, art prints, sketches, graphic posters, and family shots are safe options, don't be afraid to sprinkle in some spontaneous finds. From flea market items and sculptures to vintage tapestries and collectibles, anything that's wall-mountable is perfectly acceptable in a gallery wall arrangement.

Related: How to Hang a Gallery Wall in 5 Easy Steps

Let One Piece Take Center Stage

Although gallery walls can infuse character and interest into any space, this feature wall can also create visual clutter. If you prefer a more calming atmosphere, choose just one or two striking yet sizable pieces instead of displaying a series. This will immediately cast the attention of your viewers and anchor a large wall.

Consider expanding a shot of a loved one or favorite vacation spot. Or pick abstract artwork that spans the majority of your wall. This works especially well for modern and minimalist spaces. Keep in mind it's okay to stray from conventional frames and art; you can jazz up your walls using dimensional pieces that flaunt raw iron, wood, or glass, too.

Lean Your Art

If you want the freedom and flexibility to change your display throughout the year without worrying about remeasuring or drilling holes every time, try leaning art instead of mounting it to the wall. To make this design come to life, install ledges that fit the scale of your space. This creates a perfect spot to display a cluster of art or sculptures at varied heights, yielding a casual, cool, and collected vignette.

Related: How to Build DIY Photo Ledges

Use Mirrors

Mirrors will forever be a design staple, boasting functionality and beauty like no other. There are a number of ways to incorporate mirrors into your space to decorate a large wall. First, consider an oversized leaning floor mirror in a style that resonates with you, whether it has an old-school grandeur or a modern silhouette. This will create the illusion of extra space and reflect both artificial and natural light, which will brighten your space as a whole.

Mirrors can also double as windows, whether you pick an ornate mirror or one that mimics the natural shape of panes of glass found on a standard window. You can even create a mirror gallery wall by only hanging gilded mirrors that accentuate the scale of your space, bouncing light tenfold.

Hang Tapestry & Textiles

Hang a bold piece of cloth on your wall in a pattern that inspires you. If you're struggling with a starting point, look to what's already in your space and pick a piece that pulls together the colors of your room. You can even hang a fringed hammock, a 3D piece of woven fiber art, or acoustic pinnable wall tiles (bonus points for noise reduction) like West Elm's Geode Fiber Art or Felt Right's Ripple Shoreline.

Rely on Beautiful Millwork

Another surefire way to dress up an empty wall is by flaunting decorative wall panels and molding. There are several options, ranging from horizontal stripes to perfect grids and double-raised paneled walls. For extra impact, finish your paneled wall in a bold hue, and if it looks too bare for you, add some artwork. Just be sure to consider your unique molding details so your pieces don't cover or disrupt your millwork design.

Add a Wallpaper Mural

Wallpaper murals are a fun design addition that are ideal for decorating a large wall. These murals cover an accent or feature wall versus wrapping an entire room. So if you're looking for a guaranteed way to add visual interest, texture, and color to your space, give wall murals a try. You can also search for wallpaper that features Trompe l’oeil, a trick-of-the-eye graphic that convinces you that the visual is real. This wallpaper choice is ideal if you're looking for a super realistic background that features bookshelves, scenic landscapes, or even Haussman-style walls.

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