I started offering a chance to ask me one FREE design question for anyone who subscribes to my bog. I have loved getting to know my readers more personally and understanding what you need design help with. I appreciate my loyal readers so much and wanted to offer this personal service. I am accepting simple design questions like “what color should I paint in here?” or “what rug would you suggest?” One question I keep getting is “what should I do on my walls?” I know friends and clients who have not hung one single thing on their wall and lived in their homes for years. They are afraid of doing something wrong. So today I am going to be answering all those questions on what to hang on your walls! Hopefully it will help others too.
Design Question-
“I’ve been struggling to decorate a large wall in our great room for years. I finally gave up and hung a couple cheap mass production prints and walked away. Can you offer artwork and decorating suggestions for a very large wall with high ceilings?” From Jen
#1 rule for hanging art or putting things on your wall is-
DO- Look at the room as a whole DON’T- look at just one wall at a time. Have a plan for the entire space.
Nesting with Grace Suggestion–
The TV and the art feel the same- big and the same shape/size. They are competing to be the star of the show. I would make the fireplace the focal point. Extend the wood wainscoting if possible to fill in that arched nook. Also I would do a grouping of art where you have the two big pieces. If you prefer two larger pieces of art I would hang them at different height’s, one lower than the other. I would also suggest lowering your art- you want it eye level- it is hung too high.
Minted has a service that they will help you put together a gallery wall to fit in your specific space. You can find that service HERE.
Design Question-
“I’ve been changing up my living room little by little. I have a way to go but I’m going to a more neutral look in my living room. I like browns, creams and texture. I have a hard time with finding things for walls. I’m struggling with the top of my bookcases. I don’t know what would be good above there. I’m going for a minimalist look. I live in Pittsburgh and thought maybe a cool bridge artwork would look cool or maybe a mirror to help reflect the natural light that comes from the windows. I included pictures of the rest of the room to give your the feel of the design. I know I need a new coffee table as well but can’t find one I like to fit the space (round or rectangle!). Any help would be much appreciated!” From Monica
Nesting with Grace Suggestion– I love that the fireplace is the focal point. You DON’T want to create competing focal points. If you do a bridge art I would do it more vertical rather than horizontal, to avoid the same look as your fireplace. What I would suggest for this room is to lighten up what you have in the bookcase to balance out the light in the rest of the room. I included a photo above on a way to lighten up a dark bookcase. You could paint the back, use temporary wallpaper or even just fill it with light accessories. BTW- I think THIS ottoman would look great in this space or THIS one.
Design Question-
Nesting with Grace Suggestion– I feel you! Dormer walls can be so tricky! I can understand why they are bothering you- because you stare at them when you are laying in bed! I found the above picture, you could do two built-in’s or free-standing benches under the windows. I really love how this looks so cohesive. Rather than putting your rocking chair and table in the center I would try to move that tv stand in that spot. If it doesn’t work I would search for a dresser that is a little deeper so your tv could fit in that space with the dormer. I like what they did above the with wood work detail. Or you could do peel and stick wallpaper that looks like shiplap like THIS, but if you do this I would suggest painting your walls light to match the wallpaper so it doesn’t look too busy.
Design Question-
Nesting with Grace Suggestion- I am going to say something shocking…I actually wouldn’t do wallpaper! I think with that pretty window you have and all the wood pieces in the room you need some nice drapery panels. You would do a fun pattern that feels like wallpaper, like the above photo. I love THESE panels or THESE. You could do wallpaper too, but I would do it on ALL the walls since this room is smaller.
Design Question-
Nesting with Grace Suggestion- This is exactly what I was talking about before- empty walls! I had Clarissa send over more pictures so I could see what else was on the walls (back to my first rule, to look at all the walls before deciding on art). She already has a round clock (I would recommend lowering the clock about 6″ so it is grouped with the sofa table- and eye level). I actually wrote a Blog post that might help- “10 Ideas for Art in the Kitchen”. My favorite idea from that blog post for this space would be a grouping of all the same frames- all the same size- hung in a grid with kids art in it. On the opposite wall you could do one large chalk board would be really fun. You could make one from an old frame or have one made if you are handy! Now that you are wanting to add more to the larger walls I would recommend taking down those shutters that are on either side of your window, it will start to feel too busy. And I think you drapery panels look great on their own!
Thanks for the advice to real design dilemmas. It was fun to read, and it gives me some ideas! I look forward to future design answers!
Really enjoying this series! 🙂
Awesome! Thanks!
The main piece of advice I am taking away from your post today, is to look at the room and all its walls as a whole. I tried to guess at what you might recommend for each wall, before seeing your response. You offered some great ideas, and I had no idea that shiplap wallpaper was available. Very cool! Thanks for sharing.
yes! You got it. I like to do that too…think what I would suggest before reading what someone else would.
thanks!
Thank you so much for your advice to these “real world” design problems. Loved reading your wonderful suggestions. I will take this all to heart in my own home. I look forward to more of these! Love your blog!!
LOVING this series!! It’s so fun to see what people have questions on and what your ideas are!! Keep up the awesome work. Thanks as always! Sara
I love this series! I am one of the folks afraid to hang things on the wall for fear of making a mistake! I’m afraid of making holes in the wall and then changing my mind or making a mistake in placement. What do you use to hang pictures? I have some pictures that are too heavy for command strips. Thank you!
I just use good old nails:) I use command strips for weird spots that I cant use a nail….
Thank you SO much for, not only, answering my design question but sharing all the other rooms too! This is great!!!!!
yes! Thanks Clarissa!
Love this series, I also tried to figure out what I would do before reading your answer. Great ideas!
Thank you so much Brooke, I love this new series.We all know what we like, but sometimes we need a little help. We are learning lots!
This is a great series! It’s interesting to see real life homes with real life dilemmas and suggestions for solutions. Although I can’t send you any pictures (don’t know how to do that. :\ ) I’d love some suggestions for artwork in a house that has little open wall space. My home’s walls are mostly windows and doors on the outer walls. The inner walls are mostly doors, closets and built-in bookcases and cabinetry. There is very little uninterrupted wall anywhere in the house.