Living room wall ideas – 10 inspirational design tips for the blank walls in your lounge

Whether you are looking for living room wall ideas that are classic or contemporary, you'll find plenty of inspiration here

Living room wall ideas
(Image credit: James Merrell / Future)

Our selection of the very best living room wall ideas include statement accent wall ideas and beautiful paint ideas to suit every home's style – and we have included a ton of added-value design advice, too.

So whether your living room layout is long, open-plan, or on the smaller side, there are looks to suit. Plus, of course, we have catered to a wide variety of styles, color preferences, and budgets, and, as ever, there are living room wall ideas you can adopt quickly – no entire renovation needed.

Living room wall ideas – introduce statement wall decor to the main room

These are our favoriteliving room ideasfor walls – we've added in-depth advice from well-known designers and our own team of experts, too, so that you knowhow to design a living roomwall that you will love for years to come.

1. Create an accent wall with art

Dark living room with green paint and gallery wall

(Image credit: Future )

Looking foraccent wall ideasto give your living room focus? If you are considering a display of pictures and paintings in a living room, one way to really make it sing out is by painting the wall behind it a bold shade that's a total contrast to the colors within the artwork.

这一系列抽象的打印与黑暗green living roomwall offers a contemporary take on thegallery wall ideasof yesteryear. Sparse accessories and the clean lines of the furniture add to the modern flavor of the room.

2. Add definition to a plain room with a mural

Living room wall ideas with mural

(Image credit: Jon Day / Future)

Intriguing and bold, this architectural mural adds a decorative touch to thismodern living roomscheme.

According to Scarlett Blakey, founder ofOphelia Blake Interior Design, 'the bespoke nature of a mural' is a favorite among designers who have the ability to 'make a space feature relevant, whether it's lifestyle or customer-focused.'

'You're also able to produce one-off pieces – providing complete individuality and exclusivity,' she adds. 'This can be preferential if you're wanting to create a high-pact space that is also memorable.'

3. Introduce depth and dimension with a textural wallpaper

Living room with textural wallpaper

(Image credit: Davide Lovatti / Future)

Usingtexture in interior designis an integral part of a successful living room scheme – and textural wallpapers are a great way to add a three dimensional element to modern interiors.

回击当代过载通过创建一个sympathetic backdrop for an eclectic furniture or styling mix. Grass paper, available in a wide range of natural and vivid shades, is a perfect way to inject some mid-century style into an interior.

4. Add color with a paint job

A living room mirror idea with green-blue walls and a bowed shaped mirror above fireplace

(Image credit: Chris Everard)

Painting your living room walls is an easy way to transform a room and when you inevitably get bored with your chosen color in years to come, it is an easy refresh job.

Gathering together lots of paint cards is a good place to start and, as many cards and brochures now feature ‘complementary’ shades, they’ll also help you to find accent and toning colors, too. If in doubt, look to thecolor wheelfor advice and inspiration. From bold, dramatic palettes to soothing tonal combinations, using a color wheel is fail-safe way to guarantee decorating success.

5. Bring warmth with wall panelling

Mid-century modern room with wall panelling

(Image credit: Future / Davide Lovatti)

From intricate fretwork and simple rustic boards to traditional panels and stately solid wood, decorative wall panelling offers its own distinctive style.

Panelling is a useful way of introducing warmth and character to a living room – there is something undeniably cozy about being surrounded by wood. In a contemporary environment, panelling is an excellent way of framing large, flat surfaces, while also depth and dimension to a lifeless room.

neutral living room with antique furniture and art

(Image credit: James Merrell / Future)

Investing in cherished art is the simple part, but creating a display you can be proud to show off, can be somewhat perplexing.

Take the confusion out of displaying art by starting with aneutral living roomscheme. Play around with the layout of your frames before hanging; try out evenly spaced rows and columns, or experiment with asymmetrical formations for something a little different. Opt for a tonal color palette for a cohesive look that wouldn't look out of place in an art gallery.

7. Install a wow factor feature wallpaper

客厅与抽象墙纸墙想法

(Image credit: Future )

Is the feature wall a thing of the past? Of course not, it's just a case of re-defining it by finding new ways to create a lasting statement.

A larger-than-life wallpaper will breathe personality into the home as well as help to zone a large or open plan space. Live with the sample for a while to make sure you’re happy before you commit.

For bold, colorful prints, pairing it with a white or neutral paint on the other walls will allow it to shine, or tone it down by choosing a paint color that features in the design.

8. Invest in beautiful book storage

Living room wall ideas with book storage

(Image credit: James Merrell / Future)

Books can bring culture to any room; as Cicero once said, 'A room without books is like a body without a soul.' Not only that, but a beautiful and organized display is often very revealing of the character of the owner, so display your ever-growing collection with pride.

Creating your very own library in a living room with a built-in wall-to-wall design works in both classic and contemporary homes alike. If you are at a loss for where to store your treasured collection, alcoves are an obvious place to add floor-to-ceiling storage. Even if your room is on the small side, a bespoke solution can utilize the full height of the space.

9. Enhance your space with a wall of mirrors

Living room with wall of mirrors

(Image credit: Future)

By reflecting natural light back into the living room, a mirrored wall is a wonderful way to create the illusion of extra space and help make your room feel both bigger and brighter.

Although introducing a mirror or two is ideal for opening upsmall living rooms, an oversized mirror– or mirrored feature wall – is also a must-have addition for larger rooms looking to achieve statement style and grandeur with ease.

As a result, mirrors are a superpower style secret that should be celebrated throughout the home, from the walls of your living room to luxe lounge spaces, and even the entrance to your home.

10. Get creative with color choices

Living room wall ideas with blue and red color scheme

(Image credit: Jon Day / Future)

Gettingliving room color schemesjust right is vital because this is the room where we spend most of our time.

Choosing which colors to decorate your living room walls with can be daunting – partly because there are so many options available. For a living room room full of energy, create a scheme that hinges on thedecorating with primary colors– but bear in mind that even in small doses, such as in the neutral scheme above, they can have real impact.

Feeling braver? Bold blue walls instantly add a cosseting effect to a space, making the room feel more inviting yet spacious.

Jennifer Ebert
Jennifer Ebert

Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space.


Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.