17 Best Wall Art Ideas for a Stylish Living Room Makeover

Designing your living room is much more than finding the right furniture—you need decorations. There are several ways to improve your living space with wall art. A well-executed renovation can improve the area and make it feel cozier.

Don’t know where to start? Below are some ideas on how to use wall art for living room transformations. Find inspiration in all the ways you can get the most out of wall art. 

1. Go Large and Oversized

A large wall art makes a good statement piece. It’s also a great focal point. It can easily capture attention and serve as the visual centerpiece of the room. This might be a painting, a photograph, a sculpture, or a canvas artwork. Also, for a more united appearance, tie it to the interior's color scheme. Additionally, because it's the living room, a substantial artwork like this would effectively stimulate discussions.

2. Cluster Them Up for a Gallery Wall

If you think a single art piece feels too “alone”, try adding other wall art pieces near it. If your first piece is an oversized artwork, you can use smaller art pieces to not overwhelm the space. Cluster in threes for a well-balanced wall without looking too busy or bare. 

On the other hand, you can also use smaller wall artworks right from the start—create a gallery wall. It’s a trend for many years now, and it’s a good way to showcase your favorite pieces. It may consist of a mix of your preferred pictures, artworks, and illustrations. Transform your walls into captivating displays by organizing them either symmetrically or asymmetrically.

3. Mix It Up With Mirrors

Mirrors are frequently viewed as art pieces for walls as well, particularly due to their frames. You can combine them with other artworks. Depending on your blank wall space, you can go big or small. 

These mirrors can boost natural light. They make the room feel more spacious and airy, and can even enhance the appeal of your artwork.  A large mirror with a striking frame can also become a stunning focus point in your living space.

4. Add Some Greenery

Integrate greenery into your wall decoration. Add a vertical garden, moss displays, or potted greenery. Just ensure you select plants that flourish indoors. It should also match your aesthetics. More than the aesthetics, plants can purify the air in your home and make the space more tranquil. Additionally, nature-themed art can enhance the relaxation of your living room.

5. Show Your Poster Collection

You can try showcasing your beloved posters, especially if you have a pop or vintage style living room. Posters are available in different styles, subjects, and categories—they can impart these qualities to the area. 

Your poster collection can enhance your living room with additional color, character, and personality. It’s also an excellent means to convey your thoughts and passions. Whether it’s a poster collection of your favorite film or favorite singer, give the living room an extra visual interest.  

6. Level Up With Texture

Choose artworks with texture and depth, like sculptures with three-dimensional features. They can give your walls more life. You can also pair your wall artworks with other textured decorations and accessories. For example, you can add 3D wooden panels on the walls to make them less boring. Or, you can use a woven basket as a wall decor for extra textured visual interest. 

7. Choose Eclectic Frames

If you’re using multiple art pieces and want something to tie them all together, use eclectic frames for them. This will allow you to embrace and showcase different designs in one curated collection. This also makes them perfect for a gallery wall or clusters. 

By using eclectic frames, you can create a dynamic visual narrative on your living room’s walls. Plus, frames offer different protective benefits to wall artworks. A framed artwork is safer from environmental factors and wear and tear, which can extend its lifespan. 

8. Add Lighting

Use lighting to highlight your wall artworks. This will drive more attention to them. Illumination also improves the mood of the living room.  There are three ways you can do this: 

- General Room Lighting

You can adjust it for a soft, warm glow to enhance the ambiance of the whole room and the style of the artwork. 

- Wall Lighting

 Wall lamps can help set the mood of your walls, adding drama and grandeur to artworks.  

- Picture Lighting

Add focused lights directly to the artwork to illuminate it and enhance its appearance. Often mounted above, this lighting can make the details of the piece stand out more. 

9. Apply Wallpaper With Your Favorite Print

Wallpaper — especially those with elaborate patterns- can be considered wall art. Simultaneously, it has a similar purpose: to improve the visual appearance of a space. So, feel free to use one in your living room. 

You can go simple or fun. You can decide on whimsical motifs, floral themes, or even a mural design. Additionally, it will affect the living room's atmosphere and mood. Wallpaper with vibrant patterns and colors will give the space a more lively feel. On the other hand, wallpaper in deep shades can contribute to a relaxing ambiance.

Of course, it would also be best to consider whether you can apply some wallpaper to your walls—some landlords don’t allow it. But if you own the house, go and have fun with your wallpaper. 

10. Make It Metallic

Metal wall artworks can give your living area a more sophisticated or rustic appearance. An eye-catching metal artwork might serve as the room's highlight. The metal's reflecting nature also lends depth and dimension to the walls, improving their visual appeal.

Moreover, metal complements other furnishings; wooden furniture, glass windows, and couch fabric. It may also fit into practically any interior design style. Metal art can blend into any living space, whether it's minimalist, traditional, industrial, or whimsical.

11. Create a Contrast With Your Wall Art for the Living Room

Make clever color selections. Use contrast to break up the monotony if you feel that your room is boring or lacks visual interest. A space can be made more vibrant by adding a contrasting piece of art or even just the frame. The color makes the piece more intriguing and can even make the room feel larger.  

Here are different ways to approach this: 

- Use Complementary Colors: These are colors that are opposites on the color wheel, like yellow and purple, and they create vibrant contrasts. 

- Go Dark and Light: If you have a dark-toned wall, choose a light-colored art piece, and vice versa. This creates a balanced and striking contrast.

- Play With Warm and Cool Tones: If there’s a prominent warm-toned color in your living room, consider pairing it with cooler-toned artworks, or vice versa. 

12. Play With Patterns

Choose artworks with patterned designs. These can be tapestries, wallpapers, posters, and prints. Their patterns can add more visual interest to the room. At the same time, their design can make them the focal point. 

You can start by choosing an eye-catching pattern. This will set the tone for the room’s design. Consider the colors within that pattern. Then, incorporate items with supporting colors and patterns to complement the artwork. Some popular patterns for living rooms include geometric designs, abstract patterns, and floral patterns. 

13. Share Your Sentimental Heirlooms

If you want to give your living room a more homy atmosphere, tap into your emotions. Use and display your family’s heirloom in the living room. It doesn’t have to be a luxurious or expensive piece. It should be a piece of art that carries significant sentimental importance for you. A family portrait, a picture of your cherished dog, a passed-down wall sculpture; anything.

They also make a space cozier and more welcoming. Additionally, it evokes a stronger sense of ancestry. Your emotional health may even improve if you spend time in the room. It might also be an interesting conversation starter with your visitors who are interested in its history.

14. Use Some Decals

Decals are removable wall art designs that can offer you a quick and versatile option to upgrade your living room’s interiors. They also come as renter-friendly since most of them are easy to remove—no damage to the walls. If you can't or don't want to use wallpapers, decals make an excellent substitute. They're also a more cost-effective alternative to painting, particularly if you're looking for a temporary shift in your living room. 

Give your walls more character using decals—your character. You can also combine them with different artworks. This will elevate the atmosphere in space. 

Furthermore, decals give the sense of a larger space. Vertical decals can create the sense that the ceiling is higher. Meanwhile, horizontal ones might provide the illusion of a wider room. Certain decals can also be personalized, allowing you to create one-of-a-kind artwork for your home.

15. Put Up a Picture Ledge

Setting up a gallery wall means you’ll potentially damage your walls with multiple nail holes. If you’re not comfortable with that, consider setting up floating shelves or ledges. You can use them to place and display different pieces of wall art in the living room. 

Put up your favorite pieces to highlight their style and value. You can also display other decorations next to your artworks for more visual appeal—vases, figurines, plants. With picture ledges and shelves, it would be easy to swap out your wall artworks.  Embrace simplicity and sophistication with this approach. 

16. Paint A Colorful Wall Mural

If you want a more impactful approach to elevating your living room, paint a mural for your preferred design. It can make your wall one big focal point, making the room more immersive. As a strong statement piece, it can come in a wide range of designs. It can be nature scenes, abstract, surrealism—anything you want to showcase your personality and interests. 

Additionally, murals add a sense of space to walls. This means they can visually expand your living room, making it feel more open and larger. If you have a smaller living room, this is a huge advantage. You can have someone paint it, or you can do it yourself. Use your walls to show your creativity and artistic side—creates a good conversation starter too.

17. Break the Rules

Last but not least, don’t be afraid to experiment when using wall artworks for a living room makeover. Design rules are meant to be broken, and it’s your living space anyway. Think about how you want to display your art pieces—it doesn’t matter if it’s unconventional. 

Here are some display and decoration ideas you can try: 

- Choose juxtaposing art styles, like traditional frames with your modern furniture. 

- Hang your art piece on the outer surface of a wall shelf. 

- If you’re using frames, mix up the shapes, like rectangles and ovals. 

- Use a wallpaper or mural as a backdrop, and then place more wall artworks on the wall. 

- Choose an unexpected position in the living room, like beside a window instead of the center of the wall. 

Transform Your Living Room With the Right Idea

There are numerous ways to transform your space using wall artworks. You can utilize the pieces and display them the way you want. You can also use them with other wall decor for extra visual appeal. Whatever idea it is, remember that the best way to use wall art in a living room is the way you want it. 

Looking for more artworks to add to your space? Check out our wall art collection. We offer a wide array of pieces with varying designs and styles!