New Apartment Decorating PART 4: Decorating a Big Wall + My Tips!
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I’m still in the thick of decorating the living room in my new apartment, and today I'm figuring out how to decorate the big-ass wall behind my couch in my living room!
As I am sure you know, and have probably experienced before yourself, big walls like this are one of the trickiest things to style in any space. It's overwhelming to have a big blank canvas and then try to figure out how to make it visually interesting and cohesive with everything else in the room.
So in the video below, I take you through my process for decorating a big wall and share my tips so that you can apply them the next time you are undergoing this monumental task of big wall decorating!
And keep scrolling for the key tips and takeaways from the video. 😊
Big Wall Decorating Tip #1: Establish a Focal Point for Cohesive Styling
For me, tackling the styling of a big wall starts with choosing a strong focal point. Seriously, once you have that figured out, everything falls into place so much more easily!
I like to think of a focal point as the sun in the center your decorating galaxy, around which all other elements will orbit. This approach simplifies the daunting task of decorating a large blank canvas by anchoring your design and giving you a clear starting point.
Once you have this central piece in place, it acts as the backbone of your design, guiding the placement and style of all other decorative elements.
In my case, I chose these groovy black and white floral pieces of wall art from Etsy as the main focal point of the wall, which gave the flower power, boho vibe I’m going for in my living room.
Remember, by setting the stage of a room with a clear focal point, you avoid the overwhelming blank canvas syndrome, making the decorating process more clear and manageable.
Big Wall Decorating Tip #2: Being Matchy-matchy Isn’t Always a Bad Thing
Honestly, I’m kind of a fan of matchy-matchy-ness, especially when it comes to decorating a small space. I love employing the styling tactic of repetition in a small apartment because it can create a sense of cohesiveness, which can be difficult to achieve in a tight space.
So don't shy away from a matchy-matchy aesthetic. It really can make your styling feel intentional and harmoniously curated. For instance, pairing wall art that matches with my decorative pillows reinforces the theme and enhances the visual flow of the space. While it may be veering on the side of a little too matchy-matchy (even for me), it feels good for now as I move through the beginning stages of decorating my new apartment.
All in all, being a little matchy-matchy with your styling can be a beautiful thing, even if it’s considered by a lot of people to be kind of cheesy. And maybe it is, haha. But if done well, it can make the room feel unified and complete!
Big Wall Decorating Tip #3: Avoid Hanging Art Too High
A common mistake in wall decorating is hanging art too high; it should ideally relate visually to the furniture and other elements within the space. When hanging wall art above a console table like I did in the video, make sure it’s hung at a height that connects it visually to the table.
You want your art and everything around it to be a part of the same visual story, and hanging wall art too high can make it feel like it’s floating off in its own little world. Bring it back down to earth so it can visually communicate with the other things around it!
I find that hanging art about 10 inches above a surface is a safe bet most of the time. But remember, don’t just think about height; pay attention to how each piece on your wall interacts with the decor around it and allow that to inform where your art goes.
Big Wall Decorating Tip #4: Command Strips are a Renter’s Friend
Command strips are a great option for renters or anyone who hates the idea of drilling holes in their walls. They're incredibly simple to use; just stick them on the back of your art, press against the wall, and voilà, your wall art is up, without the scary commitment of drilling holes (and possibly threatening the return of your damage deposit).
This flexibility is so nice when you're experimenting with the placement of art, as it allows for easy adjustments without damaging your walls. So hang that art piece, and if it's not quite right, pull it off and try again until it's perfect.
They're especially handy when you're likely to change your mind (or make a few mistakes) during the decorating process!
Big Wall Decorating Tip #5: Create Zones for Visual Interest
When styling a big wall, consider breaking it into zones rather than trying to find a single piece large enough to cover the entire area. A smaller console table or a series of smaller art pieces can work together to form a cohesive look across the large space.
Start by styling one piece or area (again, I recommend starting with the main focal point), then gradually add elements around it to extend the visual interest across the wall. This method helps in managing the scale of the wall and prevents any one piece from feeling disproportionately small.
Remember, it’s about creating a series of engaging visuals that together tell a story, rather than finding one oversized item that might overwhelm the overall picture. Think about zoning out the wall into different tableaus that visually harmonize with one another!
