The Best Ways To Address A Blank Wall In Your Home
So, you’ve been wracking your brain about what to do with that blank wall in your home. Should you leave it alone? Well, maybe. But then again, maybe not.
Designer Tip (shhhh, don’t kiss + tell): we always suggest to our clients that they leave at least one wall (if not two) in each room empty. While of course, there are some exceptions to this rule, hanging less on your walls is almost always better. Why? Because if your walls are cluttered with stuff... the eye has a place to rest.
Remember, your accent walls should complement the focal point of the room –– they’re not intended to steal the show.
This, sis, is what prevents that nauseating feeling of overwhelm.
Which I’m guessing is right about where you are with that daunting wall of yours.
However, when it comes to this obnoxious blank wall in your home, maybe leaving it empty not only feels like the easy way out, but it might even feel a tad underwhelming. And trust us, we’ve been there too.
I know it feels like there are infinite possibilities + that’s because –– there are.
Lucky for you though, we’ve narrowed it down to our top 5 favorite ways to decorate that blank wall, so it’s not only stylish, but it tells a captivating story that unique to you + your family.
Now, ain't that picture-perfect?
OVERSIZED WALL ART
Speaking of pictures :) Regardless of where in your home you’re struggling with that blank wall, consider an oversized piece of artwork. Large wall art not only takes up quite a bit of wall space, but it also adds a modern + clean feel to the room. #WinWin — am I right?!?!
And because it’s substantial in size - large art commands attention, acting as a focal point over an entry side table or behind a living room sectional. But oversized wall art isn’t just a statement piece because of its size. Decorating a blank wall with a large scale piece affords your smaller accent artwork to feel uniquely different.
Psst… in case you were wondering, here’s why your day-dreamiest home needs art.
CREATE A COLLECTION OF ART
Certainly this is nothing new — you’ve seen it a thousand times over + you’ve probably even curated a handful of artwork collections in your own home. But when it comes to grouping art or pictures, it’s an excellent way to combat the blank wall challenge that you’re struggling with.
Whether its an abstract collection or a uniformed grouping of art that you hang as a series of photos (which we love)... the color or lack of color, the texture of the canvas (or absence of canvas all together) are all telling a story about what’s important to you.
Having trouble envisioning some new ways to recreate what you’ve seen a thousand times?
Imaging your photos as a triptych (left to right or top to bottom) that collectively make up one larger image. Or you can use that big blank wall of yours to create some symmetry by opting for a foursome of photos hung in a square.
What about sizes? Keeping in mind balance, breathing room + spacing… what feels proportionate to you + best in scale with the blank wall (typically 3-6 inches)
If you’re not into the prim + proper look of those more tailored groupings of art, we also love going for a mismatched, gallery-style collection that plays with different sizes, frames + matting.
Whatever the case — we’ve got you covered when deciding how high to hang those pictures :)
BUILT IN CABINETS OR BOOKSHELVES
If you’ve got a large blank wall, consider adding built in cabinets or bookshelves as an excellent way to fill in the space. Not only does this balance the height of the room, but it also helps introduce functional storage or display options to your home. And no woman has ever hated the idea of creating more storage *wink*
Before you go investing in built in cabinets or bookshelves though, we don’t want the built in cabinets or bookcases to completely overwhelm your space. So, to truly transform that blank wall, you’ll want to give some thought to just how you can layer in artwork, lighting, or other furnishings that will help to create groupings or contrasting elements in your room.
A few other things to consider… the details. Should they be wood or metal? Stained or painted? Neutral or Colored? What makes the most sense for your family: open or closed storage?
And when it comes to styling these lovelies, if you need help here’s a few quick tips for styling stop + stare bookcases.
FLOATING SHELVES
Maybe that blank wall you’re trying to fill is too small for oversized art, wouldn’t look right with a collection of curated images + you simply put, don’t have a need for built in cabinetry. Well then sis, look no further than floating shelves.
Yep, they’re pretty magical!
Adding a few shelves on an accent wall or above furnishing is yet another practical way to address the blank walls that have you up late at night scrolling through Pinterest. You can fill in that lonely blank wall by creating vignettes with decorative accents like small framed artwork, pots of greenery (faux greenery will work too), and other tchotchkes.
The great part about hanging floating shelves is that whether you’re in the kitchen, the bedroom, or a hallway - there’s typically always a functional need that you or others in your home can benefit from.
WAINSCOTING + MILLWORK
Not gonna to lie — *squeal* –– this one is our fav!
Because millwork adds a ton of layered depth, texture, character + charm to any home. And with some forethought put into it, even the most basic architecture elements begin to feel intentional, full of detail + moving. But this is only one of the many reasons why we get all hot + bothered when presented with an opportunity to incorporate wall molding or wainscoting into our designs.
Adding wall details is a fabulous way to tie all your furnishings together as millwork exudes a clean, classic + luxurious feel… yet, when done right, it can also feel modern + edgy. Whether it’s a simple wall paneling that creates a pattern of boxes, a vertical or horizontal paneling, board + batten, wainscoting, bead board or something completely abstract, your home instantly begins to take on a high end, customized look + feel.
And there you have it… just like that, you’ve gotten a sneak peek into some of our most favorite ways to overcome that blank wall that won’t stop staring at you. And don’t forget to drop in the comments below, which was your favorite?
Remember, creating a home you never want to leave is a marathon — not a sprint. It’s going to take time + a lot of intentional thought but ultimately coming home is going to become the most comfortable part of your day.
And from where I’m standing, that’s something you deserve! If you’re struggling with a blank wall (or any other design challenges) that have you shaking your head + saying “OMG, I need help!” Let’s jump on a free call to get you started :)