How To Decorate A Large Blank Wall: 5 Designer Solutions

Whether you’ve recently bought a home, signed the lease on a rental, or are simply itching to redecorate, one of the most impactful ways to add character and warmth to your space is what you put on your walls. That’s especially true when you’re looking to decorate a large blank wall that anchors a room.

Will you go with vintage art from a flea market? Family heirlooms professionally framed? Whether you like wallpaper, accent walls, or gallery walls, the options for filling a big wall in your home are endless. To help us narrow down the choices, Johnice Katz, an interior designer based in New Orleans, shared five things to consider when working on a large blank space. 

Consider Your Budget 

“When I’m approaching a large wall, the first thing I like to talk about with a client is budget,” says Katz. The cost of professionally framed artwork can stack up quickly, and buying a large piece may feel like a strain on the financial parameters you’ve set for yourself. In that case, Katz recommends using a few smaller, meaningful pieces to mimic the size of a larger scale piece, since “almost everyone” has something sentimental they’d like to display. It’s okay to keep it small and understated—the most important thing is to honor whatever budgetary guidelines you need to work within. 

Break It Up with Existing Furniture 

One of the mistakes people often make, says Katz, is “assuming they need to use an entire wall as a large, continuous space that’s decorated as one visual.” Instead of trying to tackle a daunting blank wall as a single design feature, incorporate furniture you already have into your overall aesthetic. “One long wall can have a media area on one side and a desk vignette on another,” she says. Using rugs can also help delineate one space from another and help things feel more intimate. “This way there’s less of a need for large-format art.” 

Build a Gallery Wall

Gallery walls have been trending for a while—and for good reason. They’re an incredible way to showcase the personality of the people residing in the household. They may showcase a blend of eclectic artwork, traditional pieces, or family memories. No matter what you piece together, a gallery wall adds an exclamation point of style to a home and a great way to style a blank space.

If you’re styling a big wall, Katz recommends starting in the middle and building your way out. On a staircase or hallway, work from one end to the other. Few people have 40 pieces of art ready for a gallery wall, so mix in sculptural pieces, sconces, wall hangings, or decor that isn’t your average flat, framed piece,” she says.

Avoid the Easy Buy 

When styling something that will likely be a big visual draw, it’s important to be thoughtful about what you feature. Though it’s tempting to slap whatever you’ve got lying around up just to check the box on a project, your home’s overall style will benefit from a little bit of patience. “Collecting takes time,” says Katz, “and watching a space grow and change is part of the fun.” Public enemy #1 on her list of visual offenders? “Digitally printed art over stretched canvas,” she says. So skip the impulse buy and opt for something that may take waiting or saving, but will bring you feelings of joy in the end. 

Go for Bold 

Whether it’s painted, papered, and adorned with art, don’t just dip your toe in half way. A large wall is your chance to make a statement. Get expressive with a clump of small frames, a large bold piece (properly lit with a fabulous art light, of course), or a few vignettes. “Let go of the fear of being ‘too much,’” Katz advises. “It’s nearly impossible.”