Seeking Advice: Large Painting or Floating Shelves for Open-Plan Wall

last year

last modified: last year

I'm looking for advice on decorating a large wall in our open-plan living room/kitchen/dining area. The wall is about 48 in long, and we're torn between hanging a large painting (30 in x 40 in) or installing three floating shelves for decorative items. The distance between the wall and the island is about 42 in. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Featured Answer

chispa

last year

What is the distance from the counter edge to that wall?

I would probably go with art for a simple but bigger statement. Shelves and nick-knacks might look cluttered.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (16)

Lyn Nielson
last year
I would choose a simple canvas rather than cluttered shelves.
Related Professionals
Washington Interior Designers & Decorators · Carlisle Furniture & Accessories · Franklin Furniture & Accessories · Fort Carson Furniture & Accessories · Baldwin Park Lighting · Northbrook Window Treatments · Lenexa Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Piedmont Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Hilton Head Island Furniture & Accessories · Reston Furniture & Accessories · Alhambra General Contractors · Flint General Contractors · Highland City General Contractors · Holly Hill General Contractors · Leon Valley General Contractors
PRO
Tischler Wood
last year
art.....floating shelves would feel odd on that wall
kcooz07
last year
Another vote for art.
elcieg
last year
last modified: last year
No shelves...too cutesy.

Great apartment!

Love, love this piece and his rendering of sky scrapers. Can you find the seagull?
simplynatural
last year
Like the way this relates to the geometry and colors of the buildings in your view:
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
IMO a bunch of stiff on shelves will never be better than a great piece of art you love . IMO you see real skyscrapers so no to art that mimics what you have in real life . I would suggest you go to some gallleries or an art college and find a pice you absolutly love . We began collecting original art about 40 years ago and every piece we buy is beacuse we love it . Every pice is also by an artist we meet it became this thing , we never buy a pice if we do not meet the artist it just makes it more personal I have neve bought a pices becuase it goes with my decor.
Bev
last year
I also vote for a great piece of art!
Kendrah
last year
Art 100%. You need it to grab your attention from standing in the doorway and shelves aren't going to do that. Plus, shelves then get full of tiny things that are rarely that intersting to look at.
Olychick
last year
last modified: last year
I agree with art and love the sizes of some suggestions. But since you have such a great city view, I would want a pic of something depicting nature. Even abstract but with colors that might suggest trees or a garden. Or the sea.
RedRyder
last year
Another vote for a big, beautiful painting there.
PRO
Douglah Designs
11 months ago
A wonderful piece of artwork might work best in this blank space.
Wine Country Charm · More Info
PRO
CAGE Design Build
10 months ago
A piece of artwork would work best in that space.
Jennifer Tyson
10 months ago
Artwork.... shelves would look messy and take away from your view.
Johan van den Berg
10 months ago
I really like shelves. But looking at the style of your design it's very modern and almost a bit Scandinavian. With the straight lines I think art would fit best.

IF you go for shells, then you also need very stylized and minimalistic designs for decorations.

So I think going for art is much easier, and less risky. Also easier to clean ;)
PRO
October Road
10 months ago
This space is begging for a glimpse of nature. I would look for a nature painting with beautiful natural colors.