Wall Decor Ideas: The (Only) 10 Types You Actually Need to Know!

Looking for wall decor ideas that aren’t just classic but also creative? I’ve narrowed it down into the only 10 types of wall decoration ideas (from living rooms to bedrooms, DIY to dining rooms) you actually need to choose from!

The internet will try to convince you there are t-h-o-u-s-a-n-d-s of wall decor ideas your brain needs to sift through…

…but I’ve simplified it below into the only 10 categories you actually need to focus on!😅

Then you just choose one and done! Easy breezy! ✅

Entryway with an organic wooden bench with a large plant to the right of the bench and a large piece of artwork hangs above the bench — This is an example of where I used three (yes, 3!) different techniques for wall decor to make this wall work beautifully! (I’m sharing all 10 below, including **how to choose artwork!**)

I’ll also answer popular questions such as

“How can I make my walls look interesting?”
“What decor can I put on my wall?”
“How can I decorate an empty wall?”
“What is the rule of wall decor…or are there none?”
“How do you tastefully decorate walls?”

So let’s get this solution for you started, lovely reader! 🤗👇

WALL DECOR IDEAS

Wall Decor Made Simple!

Finding wall decor ideas that actually work for your space doesn’t have to be complicated.

(And it doesn’t have to be the boring same-old, same-old you see everyone else doing, either. 😉 )

Here are the 10 types of wall decor you can choose from, in my favorites from #10 all the way to my #1!

diy WALL DECOR IDEAS

#10: Artwork!

Before getting down to my top 1-3 ways to handle “wall decor”, we’ll start with the most common ways people choose to decorate a wall, and that’s with artwork!

I do sometimes encourage clients to use artwork on their walls in certain scenarios (we show you how in this post)…

A living room wall decor idea with a large piece of artwork hanging above a long white couch and a long rectangular coffee table in front of the couch. In the corner of the living room is a large plant — **The 100% Essential “1st Step” Home Guide!**

This can include living rooms to other rooms such as primary bedrooms and guest bedrooms…

A shared bedroom wall decor idea with two twin beds and one large piece of artwork hanging above each bed. Three wall sconces also hang on the wall to the side of each bed. — **Guest Bedroom Ideas: The #1 Ultimate Guide (From Decor to Office Combos)!**

PS: For specific links to wall art, we’ve got you covered HERE!

A bedroom with a large bed in the center of the room, two wall to ceiling wooden bookshelves flank each side of the bed and a large piece of artwork with two wall sconces hang above the bed. — **Bedroom Ideas: The #1 Ultimate Guide (From Decor to Office Combos)!**

A living room wall decor idea with white walls and a gallery wall of black and white photography in black frames hangs on two walls. — **By Room: 50 Unique Wall Art Ideas for Your Living Room, Bathroom & More!**

…even in home office spaces!

A home office with a wall of built-in bookshelves that has a large opening where a large piece of art hangs as a focal point for wall decor idea. A desk and two chairs are in front of the bookshelf. — **The Only 7 Office Guest Room Ideas You (Actually) Need to Know About!**

…and you’ll see more examples of this as you read further down (where I blend artwork with other items on a wall, such as lighting and other surprising items you may never have thought of as wall decor 😉 )!

Tapestries have also been around for thousands of years and are a wonderful way to decorate an especially large wall while warming up your room!

Bedroom with a large tapestry hanging above the bed makes for a unique wall decor idea — **tapestry**

If you’re hoping to have a professional designer help you choose your wall art for free, then you’re in luck! I just finished up a post giving you (in detail!) the different exact pieces of artwork you can choose from. That’s HERE.

BONUS IDEA FROM JESS!

Besides your standard large-scale art ideas, I’ve used this simple and wonderfully easy “blank frame” trick in our dining, art and living rooms!

You can see full details about it HERE…

Beautiful antique wooden dresser with a large black frame above used as a DIY wall decor idea by making the frame into a dry erase board — **DIY Glass Dry Erase Board Frames!**

Playroom with one long child size desk and two chairs. Three picture frames hang above the desk and are used as dry erase boards — **Our Art Room: Minimalist, Organized & Simple!**

Even on a large wall that’s angled with the ceiling, a large piece of artwork can help pull the room together visually!

A sketch of a living room with an angled ceiling and a wall of windows. Two chairs sit in front of the wall of windows and face a long sofa. Another sofa flanks the back wall and has a large piece of artwork hanging above it and provides a living room wall decor idea — **The Expert Room Design & Layout Guide!**

Before moving to #9, I want to remind you that you can (and maybe even should!) use artwork in your laundry room (one of my favorite ways to decorate walls in a laundry room, but that post with full details is HERE!)

A beautiful laundry room with white cabinets and an antique Turkish rug on the ground. Two pieces of artwork hang on the walls of the laundry room. — **The 13 “Freshest” Laundry Room Decor Ideas!**

Specific pieces of artwork you can buy today (easy!) is HERE!

bedroom WALL DECOR IDEAS

#9: Lighting!

Adding some great lighting is all-too-often forgotten about when people are designing a wall!

A cozy bedroom with a wooden vaulted ceiling and a queen size bed in the center of the room. Two floor to ceiling bookshelves flank each side of the bed with two wall sconces and a piece of art hang above the bed and showcase a bedroom wall decor idea — **Rug Size for King Bed: The Only 7 Rules & Tips You (Actually) Need!**

Lighting can either stand alone on your wall (think sconces in multiples, down a hallway or flanking a fireplace, for example)…

…or be blended with other elements! (I’ll talk more about this below with blending wall decor ideas!)

A bathroom wall decor idea with a double wooden vanity and two round mirrors hanging above the two sinks. Three pendant lights hang from the ceiling. — **The Only 10 Bathroom Lights Over Mirror You Need to Know! (+5 to AVOID!)**

A large white sofa has two unique light fixtures and a piece of abstract artwork hanging above it — Enjoying this post I wrote for you? 🙂 Then don’t lose touch — join our e-mail list and get my **Design Guide FREE!**

When a client had a piece of artwork she loved and wanted in a specific place, but it wasn’t large enough for the wall, some statement lighting by way of sculptural sconces became a much-loved solution (and almost like part of the art on that wall!).

WALL DECOR IDEAS

#8: Wall Decor With a TV!

If you’re working on a room with a TV, I have several posts that go into this in more detail:

Living room with a white sofa and two chairs facing each other. a plaster fireplace with built in cabinets on each side of the fireplace and a TV hanging above the fireplace is a living room wall decor idea — **TV Over Fireplace Ideas: Should You Avoid It?**

Everyone knows by now about turning your TV into artwork should you so choose, and I address that in my posts above. (Sometimes it’s great, sometimes it just ain’t foolin’ nobody. 🙂 )

WALL DECOR IDEAS

#7: Texture the Wall!

From plaster to a stone veneer overlay, this option gives depth and character to your space when done well!

(And doesn’t involve hanging a bunch of clutter or “stuff” on the wall to make it interesting!)

A grey textured wall works as wall decor in this living room. A couch and small indoor tree are in front of the textured wall. — **7 Smart Strategies for Choosing Interior Colors!**

Even on a large kitchen wall, the right texture as your “wall decor” can bring so much warmth when done right!

A cottage inspired kitchen with white cabinets and a textured stone wall as a backsplash. — **White Kitchen Backsplash Ideas: The Only 7 Types You (Actually) Need!**

If you’re not sure about something as permanent-feeling as that, there are many wallpapers available which come in textured gorgeousness! (I especially love the rattan and woven-style ones…let me just add that to my list of 8,700 ideas I’d still like to write about in detail for you tomorrow! 🙂 )

A minimalist wall decor idea of a grey textured wall with a large plant against the wall and a brass floor lamp next to the plant. A couch and chair are also in the room. — **5 Smart Strategies for Using Older Furniture in Your Newer Space (And No One Can Tell)!**

Bedrooms can stay even calmer feeling when the walls are left simple and unadorned…

…but if you’re afraid of them being “too simple,” then a limewash or plaster texture may be the answer for you! A little minimalist styling may be all you really want…

Bedroom with a textured tan wall and a black wicker wall sconce. Dried florals are also hung on the textured wall — **The 100% Essential “1st Step” Home Guide!**

living room WALL DECOR IDEAS

#6: Baskets (and other round objects)!

Did you know that using circular shapes in your home is scientifically proven to make you feel happier?

A large piece of round artwork hangs above a couch in a living room to provide a living room wall decor idea — **The Expert Room Design & Layout Guide!**

Two bamboo sun hats hang above a bed and provide a unique bedroom wall decor idea — **Design Tip: What to Hang Over the Bed (or Not!)**

I give specific links to baskets you can buy today (without having to go through me as a designer) in THIS new post on wall decor!

Entryway with a sculptural metal entryway table, textured neutral wallpaper and a large round object hanging above the table as wall decor — I love finding unique pieces for above console tables instead of the traditional round mirror. (While a round mirror is always a safe bet, sometimes there’s a better option! Always think, “What will the mirror reflect?”)

Depending on the size of the round objects you want (or can find), you can arrange them together OR you can…

Living room with a large beige sofa and an arrangement of round wicker objects hanging above the sofa. — Click to see our **Wall Art Ideas** (including baskets and other items)!

…use one oversized piece as a focal point on your wall!

A living room with two white sofas facing each other. and a stone fireplace with two arched built in books cases on either side of the fireplace and an oversized round object hangs above the fireplace as the focal point of the room — 15+ Stunning Arched Bookcase Ideas: Project Peek!

For specific links to specific products you can buy yourself immediately, just tap HERE!

Wall decor idea in a living room with a fireplace and a large round mirror hanging above the fireplace — **Coffee Table Alternatives: 10 Genius Options + My Client’s #1 Pick!**

While round baskets and mirrors are one of the easiest things for homeowners to find to introduce round shapes onto their walls, often my favorite is a large piece made of metal. (It’s unique and unexpected, giving a room a more curated and less generic feel when needed!)

Living room with a unique round metal object hanging above the fireplace works as a wall decor idea — This is one of my favorite decor pieces over a fireplace because it’s not perfectly round, but it is round-ED and I just love it when **we find** organic shapes for things like this!

Bedroom wall decor idea with two large round wicker baskets hanging above a king size bed — **Rug Size for Queen Bed: The Only 7 Rules You (Absolutely) Need!**

Unique wall decor idea between two windows with a floor to ceiling arrangement of round wicker objects hanging on the wall — You’ll want to see our **50+ Creative Wall Art Ideas (for EVERY Room)!**

bedroom WALL DECOR IDEAS

#5: Board & Batten, Shiplap & Wall Paneling Options!

Whether you know it as wainscoting, molding, board and batten, or even shiplap, there are a near-endless amount of ways you can decorate a wall with paneling!

So not only have I simplified them into the 7 types you can choose from HERE…

White vertical shiplap is a simple wall decor idea in this bedroom — **Nail It: 35+ Clever Wall Paneling Ideas (+ The Essential 5)!**

…but you can also read my other posts on how we’ve incorporated wall paneling options from our bathroom to our beach house!

Entryway wall decor idea with white board and batten along one wall — **What Is a Drop Zone In a House? (15+ Genius Tips for Your Home Entry & Exit!)**

WALL DECOR IDEAS

#4: Mirrors!

This doesn’t just have to be “the usual” mirror you pick up at a retailer, nailed to your wall…

…a gorgeous mirrored wall can be anything from large-scale to leaning mirrors to antique mirrors and other mirror treatments!

Two floor to ceiling rectangular mirrors set behind a white couch with a large plant to the left of the mirrors that all serve as unique wall decor ideas — When you have a beautiful room but aren’t ready to commit to nailing something into your walls yet, leaning oversized **mirrors** is one of my favorite go-tos!

A moody dining room wall decor idea with floor to ceiling antique mirrors along one wall of the dining room. Hanging on top of the antique mirror wall are two wall sconces with a large abstract piece of art hanging in the middle — *via Kelly Wearstler*

My post on choosing interior colors to work with your rooms touches on this as well and talks about bouncing light around (vs when to not).

DINING ROOM WALL DECOR IDEAS

#3: Bookshelves!

Sometimes, your room will need to not have a bunch of items such as frames or mirrors hung on it.

(To have me walk you through exactly what works best for you and actually helps your life either through function, beauty or both, use our #1 Essential Home and our Expert Room Design Guide!)

Multiple floor to ceiling built-in bookshelves are a wall decor idea in this large living room. — **The Expert Room Design & Layout Guide!**

Dining room wall decor idea with built in floor to ceiling black bookshelves and focal point lighting — **Choosing a Pendant or Chandelier: 3 Ways to Stop Choosing What (Almost) Everyone Else Has!**

Floor to ceiling bookshelves line each side of french doors in this traditional living room — **12+ Modern & Timeless Floor-To-Ceiling Bookshelves (from Built-in To DIY)!**

Instead of considering what you might “hang” on your wall, you might need to consider whether storage will serve you best! Here are three posts I wrote that might further help you with that:

LIVING ROOM WALL DECOR IDEAS

#2: Fireplace!

Even if you don’t have an existing fireplace on your wall, adding one is one of my favorite unique ways to add ambiance to a living room or (especially) a bedroom!

Modern living room wall decor idea with a large concrete fireplace and walnut bookshelves on each side of the fireplace — **Living Room Area Rug Size: The (Only) 7 Rules You Need to Know!**

A cozy and serene bedroom with king size bed and a large peice of artwork hanig above the bed — **The Only 7 Bed Frame Designs You (Actually) Need to Know About!**

For example, for a recent client bedroom design, we introduced a brand-new fireplace to give the space a focal point that wasn’t the bed! (Client request and our pleasure! 🙂 )

A minimalist wall decor idea with a plaster fireplace and large houseplant to the right of the fireplace — Get our Home Design Guide **HERE** free today!

So much better than a TV there! See why I use TVs minimally in my home HERE!

Electric fireplaces are fairly easy to install and can be in any design from stone to brick to (my current favorite) plaster!

Concrete fireplace — **The 12+ Simplest Plaster Fireplace Surround Ideas to Ease Your Eyes!**

You can also see our brick bedroom fireplace, along with another post on our bedroom sitting area!

Remember, adding a fireplace doesn’t have to mean a costly chimney install or even running a gas line — all you need is an electrical plug somewhere on your wall and it’s an easy thing to build out and skyrocket the way your room looks! I love doing this on large walls where it makes sense…

Modern living room wall decor idea with a plaster fireplace and a large piece of artwork to the right of the fireplace — 3 Super-Simple Fixes: **Living Room Layout with Fireplace**

If you’re not sure how to lay out your room, I’ve created The Expert Room Design & Layout Guide to walk you through it today or whenever suits you! It’s like having a consult with me about your unique space but no appointment necessary! 😉

DIY WALL DECOR IDEAS

#1: Plants!

It might be that my #1 favorite fresh way to “decorate” a wall is with plants!

People so often forget about this option because it doesn’t go on the wall exactly.

But when you’re looking at a wall, those plants (100%, absolutely) are taking up visual space!

Large houseplant in the corner of a living room is a simple wall decor idea — See what we did in our living room in **How to Make a Fake Tree: 3 Faux-Real Simple Steps to a DIY Artificial Tree!**

Do you see it? 😉

A living room with multiple wall decor ideas. Against one wall a large houseplant serves as wall decor. Against a second wall a large piece of artwork hangs above two chairs with wall sconces on either side of the wall art and on a third wall a fireplace with TV above it serve as a wall decor idea — **Awkward, Narrow or Long Living Room Layout: 15 Clever Designs (With TV, Fireplace or Without)!**

Large piece of abstract wall art hangs on the wall to the left of the artwork is a large houseplant — **7 Genius Plank Ceiling & Wall Ideas!**

Closeup of a DIY wall decor idea of a faux olive tree — **The Best Faux Olive Tree (Plus 3 Tricks to Style It Realistically!)**

PS: The planter or pot you use is important. Check out this client project featuring the best planters we found to go with her faux indoor tree!

WALL DECOR IDEAS

Bonus Ideas: A Mix of the Above!

Truly, the best designs will have a mix of the above — not just one!

For example, below our “wall decor ideas” turned into reality for this client with a blend of

art + fireplace + bookshelves!

A cozy living room with two walls of built in floor to ceiling bookshelves. In the middle of one wall of bookshelves is a fireplace with a large piece of artwork hanging above it. — **Living Room Area Rug Size: The (Only) 7 Rules You Need to Know!**

By contrast, below is a simpler home with shorter ceilings where we used

lighting + art + plants!

We also used white paneling on the ceiling drawing your eye to that large blank wall, and it will always be within your line of vision.

Remember, you aren’t just trying to find “wall decor” by itself — you are working with the entire room as it will be in your line of vision!

(Unless you have major eye damage and can literally only look at one wall narrowly at a time. 😉 )

Living room wall decor idea with large peice of artwork hanging on the center of a wall with two wall sconces flanking the artwork and a large houseplant to the left of the artwork — **Awkward, Narrow or Long Living Room Layout: 15 Clever Designs (With TV, Fireplace or Without)!**

Here’s an example mockup sketch of some places you can successfully blend large-scale art plus wall moldings, from living rooms to bedrooms to entryways!

Sketch of a living room with a large piece of artwork hanging against a large wall — **The Expert Room Design & Layout Guide!**

A formal entryway wall decor idea with a large piece of artwork hanging above a stone bench — **wall art**

My full list of specific creative and unique wall art ideas you can use yourself is HERE!

Next…

Honestly, before you buy a single decor or furniture item more for your home, you must complete the #1 “First Step” Essential Home Guide I created to help readers like you!

This will ensure you will never waste your time, energy or money in the wrong direction again. (Our readers like you tend to have great taste yet often go about things in the wrong order or miss a key step — that’s why I finally created this guide to help you!)

That is 100% necessary, or you’ll find yourself redoing your wall again in future (again, read wasting your energy + money + time)!

You’ll also love

Wall Art: 50+ Unique Ideas for EVERY Room!
Laundry: The 12+ “Freshest” Laundry Room Decor Ideas!
Color: 7 Smart Strategies for Choosing Interior Colors!
Wall Treatments: Nail It: 35+ Clever Wall Paneling Ideas!
Get my help: The Expert Room Layout & Design Guide

PS: Our complete list of every single home project is viewable HERE!

PPS: If you’d like our help on your own home spaces, book a Design Consultation with us or check out our Design Guides & Plans!

👉MAKE YOUR WEEKEND COUNT!⏱️

Wall Decor Ideas: The (Only) 10 Types You Actually Need to Know!