Whether you've recently purchased a home, signed the lease on a rental property, or are simply looking to renovate, one of the most effective ways to add character and warmth to your space is the way you decorate your walls attach. This is especially true if you want to decorate a large blank wall that anchors a room.
Would you choose vintage art from a flea market? Family heirlooms professionally framed? Whether you like wallpaper, accent walls, or gallery walls, the options for filling a large wall in your home are endless. To help us narrow down the choices, Johnice Katz, a New Orleans-based interior designer, shared five things to consider when working on a large empty space.
Consider your budget
“When I approach a large wall, the first thing I talk to a client about is budget,” Katz says. The cost of professionally framed artwork can add up quickly, and purchasing a large piece of art can feel like a strain on the financial parameters you've set for yourself. In this case, Katz recommends using a few smaller, meaningful pieces to mimic the size of a larger piece, since “almost everyone” has something sentimental they'd like to display. It's okay to keep it small and unobtrusive – the important thing is to stick to any budget guidelines you need to work within.
Break it up with existing furniture
One of the mistakes people often make, says Katz, is “assuming they need to use an entire wall as a large, contiguous space decorated as one visual unit.” Instead of trying to use an intimidating blank wall as a single one To tackle a design feature, incorporate furniture you already have into your overall aesthetic. “A long wall can have a media area on one side and a desk vignette on the other,” she says. Using rugs can also help separate one room from another and make everything feel more intimate. “This way there is less need for large-format art.”
Build a gallery wall
Gallery walls have been trending for a while now – and for good reason. They are an incredible way to showcase the personality of the people living in the home. You can showcase a mix of eclectic artwork, traditional pieces or family memorabilia. No matter what you put together, a gallery wall adds a pop of style to a home and is a great way to dress up an empty space.
If you're designing a large wall, Katz recommends starting in the center and working your way out. Work from one end to the other on a staircase or hallway. “Few people have 40 pieces of art ready for a gallery wall, so mix in sculptures, sconces, wall hangings or decorations that aren't the average flat, framed pieces,” she says.
Avoid the easy purchase
If you're designing something that's likely to have a lot of visual appeal, it's important to think carefully about what you're highlighting. Although it's tempting to throw away whatever you have lying around just to check the box on a project, the overall style of your home will benefit from a little patience. “Collecting takes time,” says Katz, “and watching a space grow and change is fun.” Public enemy No. 1 on your list of visual offenders? “Digitally printed art on stretched canvas,” she says. So skip the impulse buying and go for something that may require waiting or saving but will bring you joy in the end.
Choose fat
Whether it's painted, wallpapered, or adorned with art, don't just dip your toe in half way. A large wall is your chance to make a statement. Get expressive with a group of small frames, a large, eye-catching image (properly lit with great tungsten lighting, of course), or a few vignettes. “Let go of the fear of being too much,” advises Katz. “That’s almost impossible.”