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Need decorating ideas for an empty wall

13 years ago
I am struggling with how to decorate a wall, about 15ft long and 9 ft tall, that is currently bare. I have built ins near it (as you can see in the 2nd photo attached) so I don't want to do anything that would make it too busy. Right now we have our kids pottery barn chairs along that wall but that is not a permanent placement! I would love any suggestions anyone may have. In out old house I created a large wall collage of family photos but wasn't sure if that would be too much in this house because of the built ins. As far as my decorating style, I love the looks in pottery barn....I also like shabby chic and some country cottage looks. I am definitely not into modern styles. I would appreciate any suggestions you have for that bare wall!

Comments (11)

  • 13 years ago
    A mirror? (Landscape).
  • 13 years ago
    You can mix a little modern with the Pottery Barn style - they do it all the time. Get a couple of large blank canvases from Michael's and a frw pots of color that would brighten up and coordinate with your furniture and have your kids finger paint them! Kids abstract art would be fun, inexpensive and colorful!

    Another idea would be to get a substantial looking console table and put it on that wall. Add a tall lamp and then you could add a colorful picture or wooden sign above the table. Ballard designs has good tables and art & so does Home Goods. Look at the Ballard designs catalog for ideas. From your pic it looks like u need more lamps anyway.

    Or you could angle the sofa towards the fireplace and do as mmilos suggested and add an end table or two and put the console table behind the sofa. You definitely need some furniture along that wall and more lamps (from what i can see from your pic). After you get that in place u will have a better of what you need on the wall. If u go with family pictures, try to keep the pictures similar, keep the frames large and have the pictures matted. Definitely look at Pottery Barn and get inspiration on how to group pictures and family portraits. They even sell frames in predesigned sets. They are pricy, but i bet you would use them for years. Take a picture for us after you are finished so we can see - I love before and after pictures!
  • 13 years ago
    Always put your largest couch on the longest wall. It makes the space look much cleaner and neat. After that you can put a large painting or mirror horizontally on the wall above the couch.
  • 13 years ago
    Find a fabric you like . Frame or wrap a canvas with a bit of padding under the fabric. The art should be taller than wide, something like 40" X 24".. Buy extra fabric and make throw pillows for your couch or a large floor pillow to pull it all together.
  • PRO
    13 years ago
    I agree with mmilos about the sofa. Please DO NOT frame fabric it is so tacky ( no offense intended). You can find good looking art. The chair and ottomans are over scaled for the room. You would be well served to sell those and buy two smaller scaled chairs with one ottoman This could be small with a coffee table or large and use it as a coffee table.
  • 13 years ago
    if u put the sofa on the large wall will you be able to see the TV?
  • 13 years ago
    Thank you for all the suggestions! Originally, we had planned on putting our sofa on that wall but when we did the sun/glare from the 3 windows on the opposite wall was too much when sitting on the sofa (even with the blinds closed....I think it's because we have long windows with transoms). And we also didn't like the balance of the room when we had the sofa on that wall....the only other furniture I have are two chairs with ottomans and they looked oddly placed. We also didn't want our largest piece of furniture to have the most awkward views of the tv (especially if more than one person is sitting on it at a time). Having the sofa centered in the room (where it is in the photo) puts it directly across from the fireplace and TV (which is our focal point) and allows people to walk on either side of the sofa to enter the room....And the other chairs seem more balanced.....except for that bare wall. Eventually, we would like to get a sectional piece that would be put on that wall and come out....but, unfortunately, we can't afford that now. Thanks again for all the comments and keep them coming!
  • 13 years ago
    I don't intend to be rude, but the most noticable thing (to me) about the room is how odd the what-ever-you-call-them are situated on the windows. The white wooden boxes. If you must have them they should begin at the top of the window. Right now they cut the window in half and are not lined up with anything - least of all the shelving units. No wonder you have glare when the sofa is against the wall. Once this is remendied the room will be better balanced and every thing else will begin to fall into place.

    Hanging drapery panels would not only make the windows appear finished, they would also prevent the glare. Hang them high and wide to make the most of the windows.

    Place the sofa on the long wall with the matching chair perpendicular to it; so the arms touch. Snug the ottoman up so it functions like a sectional. Place an square end table in the gap space between them. Place lamp on table. Coffee table in front of sofa. Floor lamp on right end with one little rond table

    Place red chair and ottoman directly across from last cushion on sofa. It should be at right angels to brown chair. round table to the left of it.

    Childrens chairs can snug up to coffee table when necessary or fit along wall so they are out of the way.

    Check TJ Maxx, Marshall's, or other knock-off stores for a nice long mirror to hang behind the sofa. A small grouping of family photos can go on the angled wall behind the brown chair.

    Hope to see updates!
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Hello, I just found your question on Houzz. Get a nice piece of art, with bright colors!!
  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    mirror panels to lighten the space and a console table underneath.....

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