We've rounded up the absolute best wall decor tips from interior design experts that will instantly spruce up your space.
Your home is a reflection of your personality and lifestyle. The right interior design decisions can boost your mood while making a space feel cozy and inviting. One of the most relatable dilemmas homeowners face—myself included—is how to make an empty wall stand out. Don’t get me wrong: Not every wall in your space has to be decorated, but there are usually one or more walls that deserve to be something much more than empty. That’s why we have you covered with wall decor tips and inspiration from the pros.
First off, decide how the space will be used. Is the wall in a front foyer or a common area? A home office or a great room? Will you be using the area for entertaining or gathering purposes? According to Dusti Jones, Founder & Principal Interior Designer of Dusti J Design, “space planning” is crucial for determining how to decorate an empty wall.
She explains, “It is important also to consider how you want it to look or feel. Without a big picture vision for your room, it can add to the stress or nervousness about hanging artwork on empty walls. Collecting a Pinterest board of inspiration images that you are drawn to can be a step in the process of determining how you may desire to finish your room and the walls.”
Ahead, you’ll find wall decor tips from interior design experts that will instantly spruce up your space. Get excited about the design process and embrace it without intimidation—we’re here to give you some creative ideas to pull it all together.
Wallpaper can make a dramatic statement on a wall or give it a subtle, extra-special touch. Opt for wallpaper that has a pop of color, a whimsical pattern, or both—there are many stunning designs to choose from, including my personal favorites, deep blue coastal “endless summer hydrangea“-inspired and breezy “palm” wallpaper.
“We are seeing an increase in desire for walls (and even ceilings) to be covered with wallpaper that’s textured and patterned, bold paint color, and lots of texture through curtains, pillows, sofas and accent furniture pieces throughout the home,” Jones says.
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Paint Is Perfect for Open Concept Spaces
While wallpaper adds personality and pizzazz, paint may be a more suitable base for high ceilings and open concept spaces before you move on to the more whimsical or personal touches on top of the wall surface. In addition, if your goal is cohesion or subtle framing on a wall, paint is the way to go, notes Alice Moszczynski, a New York-based Interior Designer at Planner 5D. After all, the backdrop of your blank wall will set the entire vibe of your overall design.
Robbie Maynard, CID, NCIDQ, Principal Interior Designer with Robbie Maynard Interiors, encourages you to choose a paint color that will serve as the foundation of your wall, and go from there. Consider the undertones and current hues in your space, along with the lighting in your room. This is key when working with neutrals like gray or beige. Pinpointing the correct undertone ensures it will pair effortlessly with your finishes.
“It is valuable to consider the location of the finishes being used—especially when you are working with spaces that are open concept, because you are often dealing with many more color elements,” Jones says.
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Texture Is Timeless
Textural treatments—such as grasscloth (a natural wallpaper) or limewash (paint made with water and crushed limestone)—are having a major moment, and they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, Moszczynski says they age wonderfully. “They feel expressive without being tied to a single trend cycle,” she notes.
And don’t be afraid to experiment with textures you may not typically think of decorating a wall with, like a rattan rug.
“I recently had a large game room, and found rattan mats that I had put on the wall and trimmed with wood,” Mary Gallagher, owner of Creative Spaces, says. Something like this adds intrigue and texture while serving as a unique conversation starter.
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Wall Paneling and Trim Detailing Add Character
Consider your home’s age and style when filling up an empty wall. Wall paneling, molding, trim, and wainscoting provide a unique character to complement your aesthetic. Nowadays, many brands offer simple options for novice DIY-ers, like pre-cut peel and stick wall molding and board and batten wall panel kits.
“There is an increased popularity in adding wall paneling and decorative trim details,” Jones tells us. “The desire [for craftsmanship of trim and woodworking] is on the rise and can be a fantastic option for adding character and personality to the walls of your home.”
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Thoughtfully Mapped-Out Art Work
If you plan to display artwork, there are a few things to keep in mind. A typical rule of thumb is to position artwork at eye level or to align it with the furniture beneath it.
Jones recommends centering pieces roughly 60 inches off the ground, so they’re neither too high nor too low. If you’re hanging artwork over a sofa, it should be centered and ¾ of the width of your couch.
“If you have a furniture piece against the wall like a buffet … usually those pieces are still hung centered at 60 inches off the floor, or six inches above the furniture piece,” she says. “Have someone hold the artwork up for you before hanging, so you can step back and look to ensure you like the look before adding a nail to the wall.”
Consider adding some dimension to your empty wall. Moszczynski says that things like oversized sconces, mirrors, and wall-mounted shelves can deliver drama while serving a purpose. After all, blending aesthetics with functionality is key—especially if you live in a smaller space!
“Sculptural objects or even a single bold material moment can be more impactful than traditional artwork,” Moszczynski points out.
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A Gallery Wall Can Make Your Space Feel More Personal
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when designing a wall around pieces you don’t have a personal connection to, like a beachy print from your go-to home store. It may look beautiful, but it’s a major design decision basing a wall around an item of this nature.
“Sometimes, we need to put up artwork that complements the space and helps it feel complete and cohesive,” Jones explains.
That’s where a gallery wall—displaying a collection of photos or paintings together—comes into play.
“Professionally frame these items and stay with a color scheme to tie your personal item in with newer pieces with a similar style,” suggests Maynard. “Do not over-crowd the wall, and keep it symmetrical and balanced. If you are using many items, an overall neutral color scheme or using only a few colors will make everything more cohesive.”
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A Mural Is a Beautiful Way To Transport You to Another Time and Place
If you lean toward bold interior design, Maynard suggests either painting a mural or selecting a stunning wallpaper mural to set the entire scene of the space. Transport yourself to a dreamy Charleston marsh in hues of blush or sea foam green with this mural from Mitchell Black or keep things neutral with this Edge of a Wood mural in slate gray.
“Bring a Paris street scene or lavender field into your living room,” she says. “This is all you will need it will visually transport your space to another exciting or beautiful location.”
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Collections Add an Extra Personal Touch
If you collect something specific—like vintage hats, beautifully woven baskets, decorative ceramic plates, seashells, pressed flowers, or even rowing paddles—an empty wall can serve as the perfect blank palette to display them. Maynard says they can create a “unique aesthetic.”
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Live Plants Bring in a Vibrant Pop of Greenery
Let’s be honest: Sometimes, you just don’t have the floor space to display everything you’d like. That’s where an empty wall presents endless opportunities—especially for showcasing some of your favorite houseplants. And if the hues in your home are already pretty neutral, this is a great opportunity to bring in a pop of vibrant greenery.
“Hanging plants with special wall-mounted pots, all the same color, perhaps white or black, in a group of five or ten, will make a significant statement,” Maynard says.
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FAQ
According to decor principles, how much of a wall should be covered vs. left bare?
When it comes to how much of a wall should be covered versus left bare, the answer isn’t always clear-cut. Gallagher says it’s often more of a “feeling.”
“Bare space is absolutely as important as covered space, but I don’t believe that there is one rule that determines it. You need an ‘eye,'” she explains. “It does also need more thought with high ceilings, as you don’t want too much plain Sheetrock. When possible, if there is, say, a large wall with a fireplace and a TV, I will design it so that it takes up the whole wall, since adding additional items or artwork would often be too much.”
That said, Maynard offers a general rule of thumb to consider during the decision-making process: cover about three-quarters of a major or focal wall or half of a smaller wall. Very small walls are usually best left completely blank.
“Negative wall space is important in order to give the eye a visual space to rest and create a balanced overall aesthetic,” Maynard says.
Over the past two years of redecorating my fixer-upper, I’ve learned that the backdrop of a wall can set the entire tone of a space. So have fun with it, keep these wall decor tips handy, and let your personality shine.
About the Experts
Dusti Jones is the Founder & Principal Interior Designer of Dusti J Design, which was recognized by the Interior Design Society (IDS) with a 2025 Designer of the Year award. Jones is also a Certified Color Expert.
Alice Moszczynski is a New York-based Interior Designer at Planner 5D in Rockaway Beach. She received a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design.
Mary Gallagher is the Owner of Creative Spaces in Trumbull, Connecticut, and has years of experience in all types of decor work.
Robbie Maynard, CID, NCIDQ, is an award-winning Interior Designer and the Principal Interior Designer at Robbie Maynard Interiors in San Diego, California. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design and has been in the industry for more than 30 years.
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