Modern Large Wall Decor Ideas For Your Living Room

It is said that those who capture images immortalize events in time, but those who capture the imagination on canvas have immortalized the depth of human creativity, bringing secret ideas and unspoken emotions to life. Such is the power of an artist’s brush. 

If you have a large blank wall in your living room (or dining room), it’s the ideal place to hang a carefully crafted piece of oversized art that will breathe life into the room, bringing decorative elements and architectural features together. 

You could say it’s both a luxury and a necessity, but in either case, there is nothing more satisfying than knowing you brought a beautiful artwork just for the sake of it. Let’s transform your living room wall into a striking focal point. 

How to choose large wall art for your living room

Creating a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing room begins by considering all the elements that make a good design. In this section, we discuss those elements and then provide you with ideas for choosing specific pieces of artwork.

Carefully consider the existing color palette

Color plays a crucial role in defining the mood and atmosphere of a living room. It impacts how a room feels and its overall aesthetic appeal. Complementary color schemes give the impression of cohesion, which is pleasing to people, while unbalanced color schemes have a jarring and disruptive effect. 

Choosing artwork for the large empty wall in your living room is about more than just picking something you like. Large scale art that works against your current color scheme will stir up feelings - but they’ll be the wrong kind. Stick to basic color advice provided by the color wheel  as follows:

 

• Complementary colors - pairs of colors that are opposite one another one the color wheel. When placed next to one another, they create a strong contrast that makes them appear more vibrant. E.g., red/green, blue/orange, yellow/purple. When used in proportions of 70/30, they create harmony without overwhelming the space. 
• Monochromatic colors - uses the same shade with different tones. E.g., sky blue, light blue, and dark blue.  
• Analogous colors - colors found side by side on the color wheel. E.g., orange/yellow/green. These colors provide a warm and relaxing feeling when used in the proportions 60:30:10.

Choosing your artwork

 

Paints Lab -  Gold Line Abstract Wall Art

The image you see here is a classic example of using a neutral color palette (white, grey, gold, beige) with a closely related accent color (blue). The abstract wall art carefully picks up the colors in the room and creates a harmonious and cohesive feel. 

Notice that the color of the entire wall behind the painting is subtle and doesn’t compete for attention with this magnificent artwork. Rather, it showcases the artwork, turning it into the room’s focal point - it's not just a painting, it's a statement!

Abstract wall art has a unique way of completing a room while opening opportunities for changing the color scheme later by drawing from a range of colors in the artwork. 

During the day, natural lighting will highlight different tones and hues in the painting, and at night, picture lights and floor lamps will change the mood of your living space and bring out different aspects of the artwork. Watching how light, color, and texture work together at various times of day will make it feel like a living wall, full of vibrance and visual interest. 

Scale and proportion

Scale and proportion are two design elements that ensure a space feels balanced and visually harmonious by determining the appropriate size and relationship of furniture, artwork, and decor within a room.

 

Paints Lab - Flower Abstract Wall Art

 

Scale - refers to the overall size of an object in relation to the space it occupies.

Proportion - is the relationship between the size of different elements within a space.

Often seen in the example of a gallery wall, where the empty space around the artwork is as important as the piece itself, these design elements provide an essential aspect of harmony in a living room. 

Choosing your artwork

Getting the scale and proportion of your artwork right will make the whole room flow better. When choosing large-scale artwork for a living room, consider the following:

- A large wall space calls for oversized artwork and should fill around 60-70% of the wall width to make an impact. 

- If the artwork is hanging over a sofa, the width of the artwork should be two-thirds to three-fourths of the width of the sofa.

- In a room with very tall ceilings, consider vertical art pieces or multiple stacked artworks that draw the eye up. 

- Statement pieces that are bold, colorful, and vibrant do well paired with minimalistic furniture pieces.

Create a focal point

A well-designed space should have a clear focal point - in this case - a stunning hand-painted oil canvas. 

 

Paints Lab - Musician Abstract Painting

 

In the image above, you see the clever use of the design principles we’ve been discussing. Neutral tones have been paired with an accent color (blue). The scale and proportion of the L-shaped sofa have provided the perfect scene for this vibrant artwork. They are like the supporting act, while the painting is the star of the show. 

Nothing in this room competes with the artwork for attention, but rather, the colors, textures, lighting, and scale of the decorative objects complement one another perfectly. The use of an accent wall which carefully picks up on the color palette while providing a background for this painting, makes the whole room feel comfortable and yet exciting. 

Choosing your artwork

Successfully showcasing a bold artwork like the one above requires careful planning, but it can be done. Here are some tips that will make it easier (and enjoyable) to choose the right wall art. 

- The wall art should align with where people tend to direct their attention when they enter the room. 

- Place the wall art where it will naturally stand out, such as above a sofa, table, or fireplace. 

- Choose an artwork with a subject that is visually distinct, like a portrait, abstract shape, or prominent scene that naturally attracts attention.

- Choose a frame that complements the wall art and makes it stand out even more. 

- Don’t place floating shelves, wood paneling, wall sconces, or multiple mirrors near or around the artwork. These elements will remove the focus from the artwork and dilute the effect you want to create. 

Paints Lab - New World Abstract Wall Art

Large wall decor alternatives

Wall art is an easy way to bring class, sophistication, fun, and vibrance to any room. However, there are other decor ideas that will also add personality to your living room and can be used to create a focal point. Mix and match these ideas to create a room unique to your personal taste. 

Bringing it all together

There are many reasons why you would want to choose an oversized artwork for your living room, but sometimes, it's for the pure enjoyment of it day after day. At other times, it's more practical - like the fact that the large wall in your living room just looks like it needs something.

Whatever the motivating factor, you have the opportunity to create something unique, highly personal, and aesthetically pleasing that will add depth and dimension to any room. 

Paints Lab has a stunning collection of abstract wall art and graffiti wall art that will complement any living room. Their hand-painted wall art is the work of a small number of artists who love their craft and believe in using only the highest quality materials.

Become the owner of a unique and hand-painted artwork today!