Plants, plates, plaster mouldings…make it different and decorate the living room wall with our inspirations.
Tired of looking at the wall at home and finding it empty and dull? Or is it a case of already having a painting there, but wanting to change the appearance of the environment a little? There are several ways to decorate the living room wall and take advantage of the vertical space to enrich the decor. In addition to the classics, which are painting and placing stickers and wallpapers, it is also possible to make compositions with all sorts of elements: decorated plates, rattan baskets, different coverings such as bricks…Be inspired by our selection of tips and make your room look new!
Different ways to decorate the living room wall
It is not difficult to come up with wall decorations for different rooms. As with everything that involves the interior design, you just need to do some good planning, use your creativity to choose something that suits your taste, and common sense to coordinate the new decor with what already exists in the environment.
Unlike the bedroom, which is an intimate area and very particular in its style, the room usually has a decoration that pleases both residents, with their own style, as well as visitors. This is the only dilemma that involves planning this corner of the house. The good thing about the change, however, is that precisely because the room is a more neutral version of other environments, it is quite versatile.
Among the possibilities of what can be placed on the wall, you will find three main decor modalities: that of coverings, which include adhesives, tiles, and bricks; that of three-dimensional objects, involving boi series, plates, sculptures and vertical gardens; and the paintings, which range from unique compositions to art and photography murals.
1. Wallpapers and fabrics
The main choice for decorating common spaces inside the home is usually painted. Right after she comes the wallpapers and fabrics. Why are they darlings? Answering this question is as easy as applying them! Installing them often does not even require professional help, although this is recommended for ensuring a more delicate finish.
It is the kind of practical decoration for those who know what they want, as it is also more permanent than the others. Of course, if you don’t like the final result, you can remove the wallpaper, paint the space or add another one, with a different print, but this process is more laborious than simply hanging a painting. Depending on the size of the room, papers and fabrics can be installed in a single day and represent an instant change.
In addition to the inherent practicality of these coatings, there is also an incredible amount of options, ranging in colours, prints and even textures. Those who prefer a more cosy place, for example, can use a fabric with pleasant touches, such as suede. Now, those who want something cheerful and fun, don’t have to hold back when opting for wallpapers with geometric shapes, abstractions and the like.
2. Stickers
Stickers are practical to renew your home decor. The installation process is very simple and does not always need to be done by a professional. Before starting, you need to ensure that the surface where it will be glued is very clean, without products that affect the adhesion of the adhesive. Most of the time, wiping the wall with a damp cloth is enough to prepare it.
The stickers that match the living room wall can be of various types: inspirational phrases quotes from books, curious drawings… there is even the option of sticking a wall in its entirety, with a plot (special printing according to a scale, usually in large formats) of movie scenes or landscapes.
Except for plots, which can be more expensive, wall stickers are cost-effective. Because they don’t cover an entire wall, they have a good effect while being less costly than wallpapers.
3. Geometric painting
You can also decorate your wall in a different way using paint and sometimes masking tape. Using tape to demarcate geometric figures, you can section the wall – and each part gets a different paint tone, resulting in an amazing composition.
4. Small bricks
Who has never heard of the famous subway tiles? They are just one of the countless types of bricks that can decorate a house. You can decorate the living room wall with the brick effect in different ways.
The first is to hire a professional who does some kind of treatment that leaves the bricks really exposed. As this is not possible in many houses, many people also apply terracotta bricks cut in half in the structure, with a rustic finish that is the face of New York industrial lofts.
Many stores also sell a special coating for this task, called a brick. With catalogues full of collections, they bet on differentiating tones and textures from the use of different materials, such as firing ceramics at different temperatures. It is worth investing in this type of coating to ensure an elegant and well-decorated room.
5. 3D coatings
Is your desire to get out of the ordinary for good? Bet on the combination of 3D coating with good lighting! Available for purchase in plate format, it can become a panel for a home theatre TV or independently decorate a wall.
It is a modern trend that brings volume to the environment, attracting the eye. Good lighting, usually done with targeted spots, helps to create a play of light and shadow that enhances the relief and enriches the composition.
6. Hydraulic tiles
The same goes for hydraulic tiles, a type of handmade cement-based coating, full of different colours and patterns on its surface.
In this apartment designed by architect Ana Yoshida, social environments are integrated. The hydraulic tiles, most commonly seen in the kitchen, form a large strip that runs right from it to the dining room, climbing up the wall and forming part of the entire living room. This is an unusual way to decorate the living room wall, which is second to none in terms of fun and beauty!
7. Mirrors
In that same environment, the hydraulic tiles cut the wall in half, creating a division between two mirrors. This is another element that works very well in the rooms. It is especially recommended for small apartments, as a solution to bring a feeling of spaciousness to the environment.
8. Plates
There’s nothing like decor that tells a story. This is common when using dishes on the wall. Either they are part of a collection, or they are pieces of affective value, which deserve more than being hidden in drawers.
Some dishes also have great artistic value – such as the collections of Fornasetti, a Milanese painter and sculptor whose work is now a reference in projects with this type of decoration.
9. Straw baskets
As with the dishes, straw baskets also result in beautiful compositions on the walls. The trick is to opt for shallower baskets, which would serve, for example, as centrepieces. Combining colours and shapes of baskets is the secret to completing a rustic-style décor or one inspired by natural elements.
10. Boiseries
Have you ever heard of boiserie? Charming and vintage, it has French origins, hence its different name. But their function is not a mystery: they are a kind of frame, usually plaster, applied to the wall.
Nowadays, combined with colours and other textures, they gain such an eclectic look that they can appear in any style of environment. However, they are a hit of the most classic spaces and are beautiful in living rooms with straight-line furniture, antique or Brazilian modernist design.
11. Frame compositions
Speaking of decorating the living room wall, it is impossible to leave out the traditional paintings. The tip here is to try to get away from the most common composition. Architect Karina Korn, from Karina Korn Arquitetura, gives the idea: play with the decorative paintings on the floor before putting them together, thinking of different ways to put them on the wall as if they were puzzles.
You can choose to arrange them in a straight line, with auxiliary lighting just like a gallery.
They can also follow the diagonal of other furniture present in the room, such as a support lamp. The difference in the size of the frames and the unusual position creates a fun impression of movement.
Another option is to forgo the nails on the wall and place the paintings on thin shelves, made with reduced depth, especially for this task!
12. Photo murals
In addition to the traditional frames, photos are part of what makes a house home. They bring memories, revealing both moments and loved ones, deserving a special corner at home.
Most of the time, this location will be the room. Always look for ways to make the composition a little different. A special polaroid mural, for example, looks stunning in a vintage décor environment. Photos can be pinned to a cork panel, or in a large frame.
Photos don’t always need to be framed. They can be printed on boards and placed on the wall with nails or hooks. Printed on plain photo paper, you can also secure them with double-sided tape, washi tape or rubber bands. In a corner of the room, above the sideboard or even under the stairs, they become a detail full of affection for you to admire.
13. Shelves with trinkets
Those who like to travel not only want but need a special place to put their travel memories. There is no better way to display them: use them to decorate the living room wall.
Shelves are art apart. You can invest in models of all types, thick, thin, with French hand or invisible supports. It’s also worth painting around them, highlighting them. Value what you brought in your suitcase for adventures across the country and around the world!
14. Shelves
When decorating the wall, be sure to add value to your bookcase. If it has drawers or closed niches, it hides that little mess we only want to see from time to time.
In the open spaces, they house books with beautiful covers, small plants and decorative accessories that, together, are capable of transforming that corner of the house.
They can be coloured, castor with a different design, occupying the vertical space with beauty and function.
15. Green walls
It is possible to have plants inside the house and apartment! The only requirement is that, even though they are considered half-shade plants, they are in a location near the window, receiving at least a few hours of light a day.
As we now see more and more rooms integrated into apartment balconies, for example, it’s easier to create a green wall in the living room. This is a versatile type of decor, as you can choose between actually decorating the living room wall completely with the plants, or betting on scattered pots of all sizes.
