Wall decoration: 11 inspirations for the living room and bedroom
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When decorating a modern living room , it's crucial to consider the walls. They often define the character of the interior and are among the most important elements of the living room , giving it style. A blank wall can give the impression that the arrangement is incomplete – however, wall decorations in the living room can breathe life into the room and create a unique atmosphere. An original wall decoration attracts the eye, emphasizes the overall style of the interior , and becomes a focal point in the living room that's impossible to take your eyes off. Whether you prefer modern interiors and minimalism or a cozy boho style, there are countless ways to decorate a wall – from gallery walls, through ceramic tiles , to 3D panels or wall slats. Below, you'll find decorative interior designs that you can adapt to your taste and needs.
1. A large picture – a strong accent in the wall arrangement
Instead of creating a gallery wall, opt for a single large, XXL-sized print above the sofa or dresser. This is a popular wall decoration , especially in modern interiors . Abstract artwork will energize the space, a landscape will bring tranquility, and a portrait will add a touch of artistic flair. Simply choose a frame that complements the style: gold or silver for a glamorous look , or a stark black for an industrial look . Remember to keep the rest of your accessories subdued with such a dominant accent – this way, the chosen painting will be perfectly displayed in a modern living room .
2. Wall gallery with paintings and photos
A composition of several posters/photos in different formats, creating a coherent gallery above the sofa.
A gallery wall composed of several frames of varying sizes is one of the most popular ways to decorate living room walls . This arrangement—whether above the sofa or next to the TV—creates an interesting living room design and tells the story of the family through favorite photographs, posters, or prints.
Before hanging the frames, it's a good idea to lay out the entire arrangement on the floor and then transfer it to the wall using masking tape. This will help avoid drilling errors. Black-and-white photographs in simple white frames work well in a Scandi style, an eclectic mix of graphics in a boho style, and typographic posters in a modern style. This is a universal and modern wall decoration suitable for almost any interior style.
3. Decorative mirrors – optical enlargement and chic
Leroy Merlin – decorative mirrors
Decorative mirrors not only visually enlarge small rooms – mirrored walls brighten the entire interior and serve as luxurious decoration. Round mirrors in gold, carved frames work well for a glamorous style , while simple mirrors with rattan frames work well for boho interiors. You can also create a gallery wall with several smaller mirrors in various shapes, which beautifully refracts light and provides an original wall decoration .
4. Wallpaper: Patterns and colors to paint your walls
An example of wallpaper with large monstera leaves on part of the wall in a bright living room.
Castorama – collections of wallpapers and photo wallpapers
Interior design blog – fashionable wallpapers and arrangements
Wallpaper is the easiest way to change the color of your walls and instantly give your living room a boost. Hundreds of designs are currently available—from floral ornaments and geometric motifs to wallpapers imitating concrete or marble. One of the advantages of wallpaper is its ease of installation (especially non-woven versions) and its enormous potential to add a strong decorative accent.
It's worth matching wall paint colors to the wallpaper's shades—for example, choose a paint in one of the wallpaper's accent colors to maintain a cohesive composition. Pastel, floral patterns work well in a bright living room , while wallpapers with a concrete or brick texture are welcome in modern lofts.
5. Wooden wall slats and 3D panels
Wooden wall panels or slats are modern wall decorations that create a cozy atmosphere and a 3D effect. Slats are becoming increasingly popular – long, vertical slats of wood or MDF add rhythm and warmth to a room.
The living room features oak-colored slats behind the TV. The remaining walls are painted white, creating an interesting contrast.
DobrzeMieszkaj.pl – wall trends: slats and 3D panels
An equally interesting solution is 3D panels made of plaster, foam, or MDF, with embossed patterns of waves, hexagons, or leaves. They're an innovative wall decoration that adds depth to the interior. They can be painted any color, such as white for a subtle shadow effect, or gold for a more glamorous living room style . Installing 3D panels is simple (gluing them to a flat wall), and the result is impressive in any modern living room .
6. Decorative stone on the walls and brick
Decorative stone on the walls or a brick wall is already a classic in modern wall decorations – especially in loft, industrial or rustic interiors.
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Red clinker brick behind the fireplace, the rest of the interior is decorated in white and wood.
A wall made of decorative stone (e.g. slate) in a glamorous style, illuminated by an LED strip from above.
Homebook – brick and stone in the living room arrangement
This type of decoration gives the interior a unique atmosphere. Raw, dark varieties of brick or stone (e.g., graphite slate) work well in an industrial style. In Scandinavian designs, brick is often whitened to preserve its texture while also bringing in more light. Remember that stone or brick look best as a single section of the wall —too much could overwhelm the interior.
7. Metal wall decorations
Metal cutouts are increasingly appearing in design – they're ideal modern decorations for loft, minimalist, and even eclectic interiors. They can take the form of world maps, geometric animal silhouettes, or whimsical floral shapes.
Black metal wall decorations in the shape of monstera leaves hang on the gray concrete wall.
Allegro – metal wall decorations
Such decorations contrast beautifully with a smooth background. When designing a wall with metal elements, you can combine them with a mirror or paintings to create a unique composition. The wall texture should be subdued to highlight the metal pattern. This gives the interior an elegant, industrial feel.
8. Macrame, fabrics and boho style
If you prefer a cozy and artistic boho style instead of an industrial atmosphere, consider hanging fabrics, macramés or kilims on the wall.
A large cream macrame hangs above the sofa in the bright living room, complementing the warm shades of beige and wood.
Westwing – boho textile wall decorations
We can also create living room decorations with woven wicker baskets or straw hats (arranged in a composition). This type of original decoration warms the interior and introduces a friendly, ethnic atmosphere. Macrame can be made yourself (DIY), further personalizing the interior.
9. Decorative concrete and grays
Decorative concrete often appears in catalogs describing modern wall decorations – especially in lofts and minimalist apartments. We can choose architectural concrete panels, concrete plaster, or textured paint imitating this material.
A wall of raw architectural concrete in the living room, broken by the warm color of the furniture and a light carpet.
Concrete gray is neutral and versatile, pairing well with wood, metal, and plants. You can add pops of color, such as turquoise accessories, to give your living room a loft-modern feel . In small rooms, limit yourself to a single wall to avoid overwhelming the space.
10. Wall arrangement in a small living room with ceramic tiles
Small rooms can be visually enlarged by using ceramic tiles in light colors or with a subtle pattern. This is an unconventional solution—tiles are usually associated with kitchens or bathrooms—but it can be surprisingly effective when used to decorate the walls of a small living room .
The wall in the small living room is lined with white loft-style "metro" tiles, with gray walls all around.
Cerames – original ceramic tiles
By reflecting light (especially with a glossy surface) , wall colors will help brighten even the darkest corner. When designing a wall with ceramic tiles, remember to use grout in a color that matches the tile or a contrasting one – this will create an interesting pattern effect. Large-format tiles (fewer joints) or small mosaics as a decorative accent are particularly effective in living rooms .
11. Hanging shelf and shelves on the wall
Several floating shelves on the white wall of a small living room, where books, potted plants and small figurines are placed.
Shelves aren't just a decorative wall element , but also a practical storage space. A hanging shelf with potted plants, candles, and souvenir trinkets becomes an interesting detail, especially when arranged in a coordinating color scheme. You can arrange it like a mini-gallery, combining books with frames, plants, and scented candles. Appropriately lit with an LED strip, the shelf becomes a subtle yet striking wall decoration .
Summary and inspiration in a style tailored to you
A collage presenting various interior styles: from loft, through boho, to glamour – and a set of photos showing possible wall decorations.
Pinterest – a wide database of ideas for wall arrangements
As you can see, there are endless ideas for decorating interior walls – from raw concrete and romantic wallpaper to metal wall decorations and macrame . It all depends on the style you want to incorporate into your home. Are you interested in boho style , modern minimalism, or perhaps Scandinavian style ? Remember, the key to success is balancing your ideas and ensuring consistency with the rest of your décor. A single, expressive , original wall decoration can completely transform a room – when choosing a wall arrangement , consider the size of the room, the dominant colors of the furniture and accessories, and your individual preferences. This way, even the wall design of a small living room can become a true home centerpiece.
Sources and additional links
Westwing – poster and painting collections
Leroy Merlin – decorative mirrors
Castorama – collections of wallpapers and photo wallpapers
Interior design blog – fashionable wallpapers and arrangements
DobrzeMieszkaj.pl – wall trends: slats and 3D panels
Homebook – brick and stone in the living room arrangement
Allegro – metal wall decorations
Westwing – boho textile wall decorations
Cerames – original ceramic tiles
Pinterest – a wide database of ideas for wall arrangements
This way, wall decorations in your living room will become an inspiring adventure. From raw brick and concrete effects, through wall panels , to metal wall decorations and hanging shelves – all these forms allow you to create modern wall decorations or a more classic look. Trendy walls in your home are waiting to give your space a unique character. Find your favorite theme and make your wall decoration exceed your wildest expectations!