1
Let's shine a light
Chris Edwards
The best way to enjoy a beautiful work of art? View it in perfect lighting, of course. To ensure your chosen painting or photograph gets the spotlight it deserves, turn the light on. In this delightful living room, designer Charlotte Lucas pairs an abstract painting with a brass picture light to bring it to its fullest.
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2
Stack the figures
Andrew Brown Interiors
A series of framed nudes is the perfect addition to a bathroom gallery wall. In this small bathroom by Andrew Brown Interiors, the warm wallpaper accentuates the vintage artwork.
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3
Create contrast
Chris Edwards
Picking the right wall décor can be a great way to draw attention to an already beautiful design scheme, especially if you're strategic with your color choices. In this saturated space by Charlotte Lucas, deep teal walls (and ceiling) are matched with contrasting artwork by Eric Madigan Heck.
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Four
Store your artwork safely on the shelves
Anson Smart
Books take center stage in this sleek media room designed by Bridget Romanek, but there's also room for black-and-white prints to separate stacks. Rather than hanging the books on a nearby wall or leaning them against shelves, she pinned them to shelf dividers and rotated them to create a three-dimensional effect.
Five
Get a little wild
Jessica Klewicki Glynn
If you want to add a playful twist to traditional wall decor, try adding a wild touch with an array of rattan animal heads. Designer Tom Scherer used a variety of mammals to bring a playful energy to his living room.
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6
Paint the walkway
Emil Dervish
Wall decor can be more than just hanging new things in a room. It can also draw more attention to a room's existing features. In this entryway by Emile Dervish, a beautiful cobalt blue door draws the eye. For extra drama, he extended the paint around the door frame and wall upwards, creating an arched finish.
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7
Making it work
Kate Starkel
In small spaces, all your decor pieces have to work hard for you. Choices can't just be about looks. If you're looking for a wall decor idea that blends form and function, look no further than a decorative shelf. This version, seen in a project by Amanda Jacobs, combines decorative sculptures with handy hooks and space for your knick-knacks.
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8
Stick to a tight palette
Kevin Scott
Even minimalist, modern interiors can incorporate wall decor that whispers, not shouts. In this tranquil bedroom designed by Studio DIAA, two framed prints featuring one airy white frame and the other thick white add a touch of visual interest without taking away from the neutral, clean feel.
9
Discovering emerging talent
Lisa Petrol
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, especially when it comes to artwork. Instead of displaying beautiful pieces that ultimately have no sentimental value, why not spotlight the work of the smallest artists in your home? This Texas home is a perfect example, showcasing finger paintings over portraits.
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Ten
Choose a theme
Chris Mottarini
One of the great things about wall art is that “meaningful” pieces can take different forms for different people, and in this space by designer Jenny Dina Kirschner, that ethos is expressed in the form of a gallery wall of beautiful portraits sourced from Chairish and other antique dealers.
11
Pick up a paintbrush
Harris Kenger
A mural is a beautiful addition to any room, especially when it's designed to add movement and atmosphere to the space. In designer Katie Hodges' daughter's bedroom, a botanical-inspired mural by Christopher Cannullo dances above the crib.
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12
Playing with pallets
Tria Jovan
This foyer designed by Anthony Baratta is equal parts luxurious and relaxed, the perfect blueprint for decorating a formal, yet simple and inviting entrance. A framed quilted fabric takes center stage, but when draped over wallpaper it also has the effect of bringing the high ceilings down to a more human scale.
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13
Omit the hardware
Nicole Franzen
Whether you're renting or just not handy with tools, you'll be relieved to know that picking up a hammer and nails isn't the only way to add wall decor to your space. Our favorite designer-approved trick? Tilting frames. In this media room by Michael Ellison, several pieces of art are casually tilted in alternating directions on a shelf.
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14
Change shape
Emily Followill
Gone are the days when gallery walls had just one structured, geometric, orderly format. Now anything goes, including mixing frame shapes. This fascinating space by Jeffrey Dungan displays a collection of vintage sketches and paintings in a variety of shapes, including ovals, squares, and rectangles.
15
Distort your perspective
Kevin J. Miyazaki
Sometimes all it takes to refresh a room is a different perspective. In this room from 2023 Whole Home, designer Rasheeda Gray of Gray Space Interiors intentionally placed a painting on the left side of the bedroom, drawing all eyes to this stunning piece instead of hanging it above the bed.
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16
Double the fun
AP Design House
What's better than one oversized piece of wall art? Two, of course! In this bright living room by AP Design House, two enormous canvases fill one large wall, providing a tranquil, textured backdrop to the contemporary space.
17
Spotlight Ceramics
Brantley Photo
Try using your kitchen cabinets throughout the home for wall decor that adds texture and depth to the space and doubles as conversation starters. Plates are a timeless (and playfully quirky) décor item that cleverly adds pattern and color. In this beach-inspired hideaway by Kevin Asbacher, the plates mimic the space's architectural features, like portholes.
Related: 75 Outdoor Living Room Ideas for a Grand Escape at Home
18
Framing Multiple Mirrors
Jared Kuziah
To create a room that looks beautiful from every angle, consider hanging a “gallery wall” of mirrors. This solution works particularly well in small rooms with only one light source (or none at all). In this bathroom by Cecilia Casagrande, four mirrors placed at different heights create a practical and vintage feel.
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19
Highlight your hobbies
Jacob Snabery
Love cartography or ornithology? Pay tribute to your favorite hobby with a wall display. In this project by Tina Ramchandani, a brightly lit wine display serves as a way for the homeowners to show off their love of wine.
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20
backup
Roland Bello
You can just hang some art on the wall and call it a day, but you can also pay special attention to choosing the right backdrop for an even bigger impact. Here, Miles Redd places a modern piece of art over a classic mural to add visual contrast and a bit of fun.
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