56 Wall Decor Ideas to Transform Every Room in the House

Wall decor is a finishing touch that can add life and character to every room in the house. Well chosen wall art and decor can complement the existing style of your interiors or add a striking contrast that changes the entire feel of the room. The things that you put on your walls should capture your imagination, start a conversation, transport you to another world, or remind you of what you find beautiful, funny, or life-affirming.

Check out these wall decor ideas for every room that will inspire you to give your own blank walls a little love.

The 17 Best Places to Buy Wall Art Online

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Display Your Tools

Tyler Karu Design and Interiors / Photo by Erin Little

Wall decor can be anything from pure embellishment to a display of your favorite accessories, collections, or tools. In this Maine kitchen from Tyler Karu Design + Interiors, a grouping of well seasoned cutting boards in various shapes and sizes hangs on the wall, freeing up counter space while both remaining accessible and doubling as decor.

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Go Big in a Small Bathroom

Ghislaine Vinas

Ghislaine Vinas added a large-scale photograph of a woman underwater that adds color and life to a white windowless bathroom and is all the decor that the small space needs.

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Decorate with Mirrors

Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Styling by Hilary Robertson / Photo by Erin Kelly

Decorative mirrors add style, reflect and bounce light around the room, and increase sightlines to make any space feel bigger and brighter. A mirror can also turn a neglected corner into a feature, like the classic Venetian mirror lighting up this all-white hallway from Leanne Ford Interiors.

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Plant a Green Wall

Maite Granda

The wall of this Florida dining room from interior designer Maite Granda is decorated with a floor-to-ceiling living wall that brings a giant dose of feel-good biophilic design to the party. If you don't have the budget for a floor-to-ceiling green wall, adding plants or a DIY preserved moss wall hanging will create a similar if less jaw-dropping effect.

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Stick With Black and White

Design by Brady Tolbert for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Tessa Neustadt

The photos, illustrations, graphic prints and typography-based wall decor in this eat-in kitchen designed by Brady Tolbert for Emily Henderson Design stick to a strict palette of black and white that matches the tones of the room and creates a strong and cohesive impact.

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Use Vintage Signage

Liz Marie Blog

Blogger Liz Marie decorated the wall above her fireplace with vintage signage that complements the neutral-toned farmhouse living room.

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Hang Some Decorative Baskets

Studio Peake

Wall baskets are an inexpensive option for filling blank walls above beds, couches, and other spaces that work well in modern interiors. In this kitchen from Studio Peake, a grouping of similar but not identical decorative baskets is hung high on the wall above the built-in storage to add instant warmth and texture. Remember when displaying collections that it's often more aesthetically pleasing to stick to odd numbers like the five baskets featured above.

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Layer Textiles

Studio Peake

Studio Peake used a range of textiles to add warmth to this London bedroom, from the fabric wall hanging to the extra tall canopy mounted on the wall above the bed.

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Decorate With Preserved Flowers

Design by Little Crown Interiors / Photo by David Casas

An oversized dried floral arrangement adds an earthy natural note to this neutral-toned nursery from Little Crown Interiors.

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Start Your Own Art Gallery

Design by Tyler Karu / Photo by Erin Little

Interior designer Tyler Karu treated the white walls of her living room like a gallery to display her art collection. Remember that paintings, photography, graphic prints, and other types of art can be sourced online at any price point, making it affordable to start amassing your collection even if you have a modest budget.

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Hang a Juju Hat

Leclair Decor

A white feathered juju hat adds texture to the wall above the crib in this neutral-toned baby room from Leclair Decor.

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Type It Out

Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Styling by Hilary Robertson / Photo by Erin Kelly

This black-and-white gender-neutral nursery from Leanne Ford Interiors has textural wood paneled walls that are embellished with a tacked up printed fabric saying that celebrates the beauty of type.

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Frame Vintage Cookbook Illustrations

deVOL Kitchens

Framed reproduction illustrations from vintage cookbooks featuring delicious baked goods add charm to this rustic chic space from deVOL Kitchens.

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Hang Decorative Sconces

Forbes + Masters

Striking wall sconces moonlight as decor even when the light is turned off in this spacious primary bedroom from Forbes + Masters.

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Hang a Midcentury Modern Wall Sculpture

Erin Williamson Design

Erin Williamson Design gave a midcentury modern wall sculpture pride of place in this colorful living room, painting the wall behind the sofa in a vibrant blue that sets off its luminous golden tones.

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Lean Art Against the Wall

Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Amy Neunsinger

You don't have to hang art on the walls to create an impression. In this space from Leanne Ford Interiors, a collection of framed art and photography is leaned up casually along the floor against the wall to create an effortless and improvised feel. Have fun rearranging things as the spirit moves you, adding and subtracting to fit your current mood.

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Think in Three Dimensions

Designed by Jess Bunge for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

In this bright and cheerful living room designed by Jess Bunge for Emily Henderson Design, a mix of colorful, affordable art on the walls includes a bendy rope sculpture that looks like it's climbing the wall, creating a whimsical 3D effect.

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Add Tassels

Erin Williamson Design

Erin Williamson Design hung a soft textile wall hanging with extra long tassels on the wall to give the room an eclectic feel.

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Hang Your Hats

K Shan Design

The wall of this entryway from K Shan Design is decorated with hats that match the laid back boho style feel of the space.

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Hang a Mirror from the Bookshelves

Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Erin Kelly

In this home library from Leanne Ford Interiors, a vintage gold mirror is hung on the front of the bookcase to add dimension and reflections.

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Pick a Theme

Kate Marker Interiors

Choosing a selection of small pieces is often more affordable than selecting one large piece of art. Sticking with a theme makes it easy to narrow down your choices while creating a cohesive look. Kate Marker Interiors hung neat rows of butterfly illustrations above the vintage upright piano that adds lightness and contrast in the earth-toned room.

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Hang Some Plates

Ghislaine Vinas

Ghislaine Vinas hung colorful dinner plate artwork on the wall of this colorful contemporary dining room that takes full advantage of the room's towering ceiling height.

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Frame a Classic Film Poster

Studio Peake

Studio Peake added a framed classic film poster to the wall behind this London living room home office desk.

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Blow Up a Children's Book

Ghislaine Vinas

Interior designer Ghislaine Vinas hung a blown up page from one of the world's favorite children's books to decorate the hallway outside a kids room in the most adorable way possible.

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Change the Mood With Pop Art

Heather Hilliard Design / Photo by Jose Manuel Alorda

Heather Hilliard Design added some 20th century nostalgia to this contemporary living room with a giant piece of colorful pop art over the minimalist fireplace mantel.

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Hang a Vintage Bucket

Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Erin Kelly

A large vintage bucket filled with loose leafy branches adds a rustic touch to this farmhouse living room from Leanne Ford Interiors.

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Use Your Words

Ghislaine Vinas

Showcase your favorite poem, a memorable passage from a novel or love letter, or your signature slogan by decorating your walls with it, like this dining room from interior designer Ghislaine Vinas.

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Mix Hats and Wall Baskets

K Shan Design

In this entryway, K Shan Design mixed straw hats and woven wall baskets that look perfectly at home together and match the boho style of the home.

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Display Books

Design by Sissy + Marley Interior Design / Photo by Marco Ricca Studio

In this kids room from Sissy + Marley Interior Design, transparent acrylic shelving keeps books organized and on display to encourage reading and decorate the walls at the same time.

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Use an Easel for Display

Ghislaine Vinas

Give your living room an artist studio vibe by displaying art on an easel, like the corner painting in this living room from interior designer Ghislaine Vinas.

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Hang a Vintage School Map

The Merrythought

The Merrythought added a vintage school map to the wall of this shared kids room that will help them learn geography without even trying.

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Be a Little Naughty

Ghislaine Vinas

If you can't say it like it is in the privacy of your own bathroom, what's the point of anything? A neon sign broadcasts a cheeky slogan in this sassy bathroom from interior designer Ghislaine Vinas.

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Hang an Antique Mirror

Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Erin Kelly

Leanne Ford Interiors hung an ornate gilded antique mirror on the wall of this bathroom that complements the vintage style garden tub while expanding sightlines and bouncing around natural light.

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Add a Leaning Floor Mirror

Brexton Cole Interiors

Brexton Cole Interiors leaned a large vintage-style floor mirror against the wall of this romantic primary bedroom, flanking it with wall sconces that add flattering light.

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Create a Vignette

Ghislaine Vinas

Not every painting needs to hang above the couch or the fireplace. In this stylish living room, interior designer Ghislaine Vinas hung a colorful painting above a bar cart styled with books, lighting, and decor, to create a 3D vignette that turns an empty corner into a destination.

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Make an Entrance

Kendall Wilkinson Design

Kendall Wilkinson Design hung a large-scale black-and-white landscape painting in this imposing entryway that helps ground the space while keeping with the minimalist, neutral toned decor.

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Make It Sweet

Fantastic Frank

Fantastic Frank added wit and playfulness to this otherwise sober minimalist Scandinavian apartment living room with a series of wall sculptures that will make kids of all ages smile.

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Mix Mediums

Ghislaine Vinas

Don't be afraid to mix painting, photography, and wall decor in a single room or adjoining spaces to make your decor feel spontaneous and layered. Decorative plates and a formal gilded framed oil portrait create a conversation in this living room from interior designer Ghislaine Vinas.

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Make It Royal

Erin Williamson Design

Erin Williamson Design hung a large-scale textile wall hanging above the discreet, low profile headboard in this primary bedroom that echoes the royal blue decor in the room.

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Layer It Up

Ghislaine Vinas

Interior designer Ghislaine Vinas layered color photography with graphic black-and-white illustrated wallpaper in a large scale pattern to add interest to this modern dining room.

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Hang a Stuffed Animal Trophy Head

Design by Sissy + Marley Interior Design / Photo by Marco Ricca Studio

A stuffed unicorn trophy head keeps watch over the bed in this charming kids room from Sissy + Marley Interior Design.

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Be Playful

Fantastic Frank

Every frame on this playful bedroom gallery wall from Fantastic Frank is more or less askew, showing that it doesn't take itself too seriously while demonstrating the power of organized chaos.

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Hang a Vintage Travel Poster

Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Margaret Austin Photo

Sometimes wall decor isn't a finishing touch, but a point of departure. This vintage travel poster was the inspiration for the color palette in this California home from Cathie Hong Interiors that reflects the heritage of the family who lives there.

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Stagger Heights

Forbes + Masters

Forbes + Masters hung a pair of similar mirrors with decorative tassels, staggering them slightly on the wall above this highrise living room bar cart.

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Layer Art and Books

Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Tessa Neustadt

Leanne Ford Interiors hung an unframed painting on the front of this wall of bookshelves that creates a layered effect and makes the portrait come alive.

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Colorize a White Room

Ghislaine Vinas

Interior designer Ghislaine Vinas hung a colorful modern painting above the bed in this all-white primary bedroom that gives the eye something bold to focus on.

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Hang an Installation of Vintage Metal Trays

Inspired By Charm

Inspired By Charm moved a collection of vintage metal serving trays out of the cupboards and onto the wall in this fun kitchen gallery wall installation.

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Supersize It

Leclair Decor

Leclair Decor helped create a cozier feel in this new build living room with its soaring ceilings by hanging a massive graphic textile wall hanging above the couch.

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Hang Old School Landscape Paintings

Erin Williamson Design

Erin Williamson Design added kitschy vibes to the stone walls of this Texas lodge game room with a pair of thrift store landscape paintings that look like they have been hanging there for decades.

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Display Musical Instruments

Brexton Cole Interiors

Brexton Cole Interiors displayed a collection of guitars on the walls that reflect the owner's hobbies and can be taken down and played to provide after-dinner entertainment.

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Hang a Decorative Sconce

Design by Sissy + Marley Interior Design / Photo by Marco Ricca Studio

Wall-mounted sconces often function as both lighting and decor, as pleasing to the eye as any work of art. In this spacious NYC living room from Sissy + Marley Interior Design, a classic Serge Mouille wall sconce adds sculptural elegance and designer pedigree that fills the space between the windows.

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Paint a Mural

Design by Brian Brown Studio / Photo by Jenny Siegwart

A recessed painted mural of an abstract landscape adds color and atmosphere to this California dining room from Brian Brown Studio.

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Hang a Wall Clock

Fantastic Frank

Fantastic Frank decorated the white walls of this airy Scandinavian loft with a classic midcentury modern George Nelson ball clock that broadcasts the hour while adding retro vibes and a note of color to the space.

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Make It Sculptural

Heather Hilliard Design / Photo by Michele Lee Willson

Heather Hilliard Design filled a blank wall in this spacious hallway with a light-as-air wall sculpture that creates a gallery effect for an art loving client.

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Add Texture

Design by Sissy + Marley Interior Design / Photo by Marco Ricca Studio

A playfully supersized textile wall hanging adds texture in this neutral-toned living room from Sissy + Marley Interior Design.

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Go Frameless

Fantastic Frank

You don't need invest in framed art to create a gallery wall. An informal gallery wall of loose leaf color illustrations adds color and interest to the white walls of this Scandinavian apartment from Fantastic Frank that could be imitated with DIY illustrations or pages from a used book.

What can I do to decorate my wall?

You can decorate your wall with anything you want. Wall art can include everything from framed masterpieces to color photos of your favorite world travels to thrift store paintings. You can decorate your walls with textile wall hangings from boho style macrame to vintage quilts. Or you can decorate your walls with a collection of anything from hats to kitchen cutting boards to vinyl album covers. Feel free to decorate blank walls or to layer decor over wallpaper. And remember when choosing lighting that wall-mounted sconces can function as both lighting and decor.

What are the best wall decorations?

The best wall decorations are those that you enjoy looking at and that create the kind of mood you want to set for your home. You can match wall decor to the style of your home or mix it up for a more eclectic look. If you love baking, decorate your kitchen with vintage illustrations of cakes and pastries. Display your guitar collection on the wall of your music room. Hang an oversize color photograph in your bathroom or a row of stuffed animal trophy heads in the nursery. Hang vintage advertising signs in the laundry room. Art and decor is personal and should reflect your tastes and sensibilities; forget the rules.

How do you decorate a wall on a budget?

Wall decor doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective. You can decorate your walls with anything from inexpensive woven wall baskets sourced online to dried flowers or your collection of vintage cake molds. If you like to draw, create a DIY gallery wall tacked up with washi tape. Channel your high school bedroom walls and tear out favorite images from old magazines. Source flea markets, yard sales, or your favorite online marketplaces for inexpensive prints, dig into the photo archive on your phone for source material, or highlight your kids' artwork.