Figuring out what you want to put up on your living room walls can feel a little overwhelming at first, but I hope that this post will help reassure you because it can actually be a lot of fun once you get started. If you’re looking for ideas for art for your living room walls, you’re in the right place.
First, we’ll walk through different layout ideas that are simple and easy to execute. Throughout those different ideas, I’ll include links to some places to get beautiful wall art so that you can get inspiration for what art you will love for your living room.
This post is here to help give you the inspiration that you need to get excited about decorating your living room. You can use these ideas to figure out what you like. And just as importantly, you can use them to figure out what you don’t like. Then you can get started on hanging up art for your living room walls!
These 5 ideas will go over different layouts that you can use for your living room walls. And there also will be art inspiration throughout the post (linked!). Ok, let’s get into it!
This post is all about art for living room walls.
1. Create a focal point
This is probably the most versatile thing that you can do in your living room. Creating a focal point above your mantle or even behind your couch is easy for you and it looks timeless and classic.
If you need a low maintenance option, or if you’re someone who likes the option to swap out art and change it up from time to time, this is a great idea for you. It’s minimal effort with a big impact on how your space looks and feels.
Even if you don’t have an obvious spot to make your focal point โ like above a fireplace โ or you already put your TV there (I think that this is a common problem), don’t worry! You can create a focal point behind your couch or over a console table. The size of the art will draw attention, so even if it is not in the most conventional spot, it will make visual sense.
Tip: Get one large piece of art for your focal point. don’t be afraid to get something big! another way to create a beautiful focal point is to have a trio (otherwise known as a triptych) of art that are all the same size.
One of my favorite places to look for art that’s beautiful enough to make the focal point of a room is Tappan Collective. They have a lot of really interesting art. I think that you will find that there are a lot of different styles represented there, so you might not love everything, but you probably will love something.
2. Put together an eclectic gallery wall
You will really love how this looks if you have the patience to put all of the pieces together. Putting together an eclectic gallery wall certainly isn’t the easiest of all of these ideas, but it also doesn’t have to be super complicated. It can start small and evolve over time โ you have a lot of freedom with your approach.
There are a lot of different ways that you can do this. I think that the easiest way to do it is to designate a specific size of frame to three different categories: small, medium, and large. For example, designate 5x7inch photo frames to the small size and stick with that. Then you’re working with three consistent sizes.
I love browsing different shops on Etsy and finding artists that speak to me. Don’t forget to make a list of your favorite Etsy sellers, though!
The other kind of technical thing to watch out for is the spacing between photos. You want to keep photos about an inch to 3.5 inches apart, but any more than that can make the pieces look disjointed.
Tip: choose a color palette for your gallery wall so that each different piece of art speaks to the next and creates a cohesive look.
Pick out your art before you buy frames because it will save you time and money if you do it that way. It can be nice to have a spare frame or two around, but you’ll get really frustrated if you buy frames and then have to pick out art based on your frames. That makes it not very fun.
3. Photo gallery wall
If you love the gallery wall look but need something a little bit easier to execute, this is perfect for you. You can use color photos or black and white photos. Color photos are a little harder because it looks best if they all go together. If you’re intentional and thoughtful with your selections and how the colors look together, it’s beautiful.
Black and white photos make it a little easier. You can use any photos you like โ landscape pictures, family pictures, anything. If you do only pictures of your kids’ smiling faces it can look just a little bit corny, but there’s also nothing wrong with that.
Spacing matters here, too. Placing your photos a little closer together is smart and creates a really pretty look. Make sure your frames are level and not crooked, because that makes a big difference too.
Tip: create a cohesive, uniform look by using all the same frames with the same size mattes and photos as well. if you want to mix and match, it looks better to do an eclectic look and mix and match everything. this style is meant to be more streamlined.
4. Create cute pairings and trios throughout the space
This can feel a little bit hard to do at first and this typically happens more gradually over time. It creates a collected feel and makes your home feel warm and lived in.
Creating cute pairings throughout your living room is usually as simple as finding two pieces of art that go together and then putting them in matching frames. Voila! A cute pairing is born.
I made a list of some of my favorite frames from Amazon here if you’re looking for pretty and affordable frames. The frames from the photo below are from West Elm โ here’s a link so you can check them out.
Tip: You can create a cute pairing moment even with just a little bit of wall space. try adding some wall art to a blank wall that you thought was fine left blank, and see how much it adds to your space.
It’s a really common problem to have a LOT of unused wall space. Creating a cute pairing by picking out two pieces of art that you like, framing them, and hanging them up next to each other is one of the easiest and most effective ways to brighten your space with new life.
5. Use a rail or ledge to create a layered look without the fuss
This is probably one of the easiest things that you can do and it creates a layered look that you can usually only get with a gallery wall otherwise.
This brass gallery wall rail makes it so easy to hang up art and photos without nailing holes into the wall. It’s so simple to use and it looks amazing. You can get one just like the one in this photo here. There also is a black one from Amazon that is the right price and is really pretty, too.
Having a shelf with framed art and photos leaning against the wall is another way to get this layered look. I like to call it a picture ledge (I feel like I heard someone else say that and have been copying them ever since).
I love the way that the ledge creates level ground for all of the frames and then there are layers, with the smaller frames sitting at the front. It’s really pretty and chic (and easy).
Tip: vary the frames that you use if you do either of these styles (gallery rail or ledge) because it will add even more visual layers.
This post was all about art for living room walls! I hope that it helped spark some inspiration for you.
Whatever style you like best, I hope that some of these ideas and tips for your art for living room walls helped you, inspired you, or simply interested you!
For more art and design inspiration, follow Garland Collections on Pinterest and Instagram.
Don’t forget to join the Garland Collections email list! That’s where all of our special announcements happen first. Click here to join. (And no, I won’t send you spam emails, cuz I don’t like those either.)
Need help with framing your art?
Check out this blog post for my dos and don’ts with wall art framing.
Interested in getting inspiration to create a bedroom that you love?
Check out this blog post about wall art bedroom decor.
Curious about more design tips for home?
Check out this blog post about 5 Simple Design Tips for Home.
Want the best frames on Amazon?
Check out this blog post with 15 of the best picture frames from Amazon.
Thanks so much for reading along!
