15 best living room wall decoration ideas above the sofa

General rules for wall decor

Consider the principle of proportionality: large-scale objects are suitable for spacious rooms, where there is enough space to view them from afar. In small living rooms, it is better to arrange a composition of many small objects.

One tiny object will be lost on the wall and will look ridiculous, and a work of art wider than a sofa will make furniture invisible. In addition to the decorative function, decorations change the geometry of the space. Decorate vertically to increase the height of the ceilings and balance overly high ceilings. Elongated horizontal canvases and panels of posters visually expand the space.

Dimensional picture

One large painting is the easiest way to decorate a wall above a sofa in a living room. Choose an image that suits the room in style: abstraction or bright pop art for modern, landscape for Provence, classical painting for neoclassical or classical interior.

The photo shows a large painting in the style of abstract art

The minimum width is half the size of the sofa, otherwise it will simply disappear against the background of the furniture.

2 equivalent paintings

Place two vertical canvases next to each other to visually stretch the room. Hanging the posters on top of each other also makes the ceiling appear taller, but this method is only suitable for narrow walls or niches.

You can calculate the ideal location of each part using the formula: subtract the width of both paintings from the width of the sofa, and divide the remainder by 3. Add half the width of the frame to the resulting value. Step back from the edge of the sofa for the final number - this is where the hook should be.

Triptych or 3 separate photographs

Triptych - an image divided into 3 parts. In order for the modular picture above the corner sofa to look harmonious, its width should be ⅔ of the backrest. Start hanging the triptych from the central sector, placing it clearly in the middle of the sofa. Then step back the same distance left and right and mark the points for the remaining images.

For triple composition, not only modules are suitable. Frame 3 canvases that match each other in style and you're done!

The photo shows a triptych of posters on the wall in the living room

Composition of many paintings

The size of the composition should not exceed ⅔ the width of the sofa, so that it does not seem too small.

You can collect an even number of photos or posters of the same size and arrange them symmetrically (2-3 rows of 3, for example) or use different shapes and sizes. The group should be correctly combined in style, color scheme or theme. Examples of groups: oil-painted, black-and-white photographs, or seascapes.

Many different images can be styled in two ways:

1. Choose a large central element and randomly arrange those that are smaller around it.
2. Create a large geometric shape from many parts by aligning them.

In the photo, a variant of the wall decoration above the sofa with various frames

Shelf for photos or paintings

Do not make unnecessary holes in the wall: hang one shelf on which you can put either one or two items or a whole composition. In addition, the shelf can be additionally decorated with memorable souvenirs, figurines, interesting vases and other elements.

In the photo there are picture shelves above the corner sofa

Another plus of the shelves is that products can be swapped, added and removed without harm for repair. Such mobility will benefit those who create themed designs for the holidays or seasons.

If the width of the sofa allows, there can be several shelves. But keep their filling in the same style so that the wall does not look chaotic.

Mirrors

Reflective surfaces visually expand a room, which means mirrors are a great way to expand a space.

Laconic options in classic frames will suit apartments rich in decorative elements. Mirrors of unusual types and shapes will become an accent and highlight the wall in a calm interior.

In the photo there is a mirror in a large frame above the sofa

Geographic Maps

There are many options for the execution of this idea: one large canvas on a stretcher or without, modular from 3-4 sections, in the form of continents.

The panel can be made of vinyl, cork panel, backlit plexiglass. You can also just draw the map on the wall or stick a photo wallpaper with its image.

Each style has its own map of the world. Antique for classics and country, cork for scandi, modern backlit for modern.

Carpet or tapestry

The carpet on the wall will not look like a relic of the past if you choose it wisely. To design the wall in the living room behind the sofa, look at thin tapestries, carpets, paintings, models with unusual piles or ethnic patterns.

The width of such a cozy decoration should be slightly less than a sofa. If the pattern allows you to turn the carpet, designers recommend hanging it vertically. This technique looks fresh and visually raises the ceilings.

Pictured tapestry with ethnic pattern

Light fixtures

Most often, sconces are combined with other wall decorations, but this is not necessary on an accent wall. If the sconces themselves look like a piece of art, they can also act as a stand-alone decor.

It is not necessary to hang only 2 lamps, let there be 3 or more - the main thing is to arrange the wall harmoniously.

Clock

Build the clock into a composition with family photos or lamps, or place them separately. In the second case, their size should correspond to ½ the width of the sofa.

For a loft-style living room, take a stylish metal clock, for a classic - models with a restrained European design made of wood, for modern - contrasting mirrors, for minimalism - white.

In the photo there is a large clock between the windows

Houseplants

Living decorations will refresh the room and become a highlight of the decor. Hang the macrame planter in your country-style living room. Or arrange a modern wall stand for Scandinavian style.

In the photo, a climbing houseplant on a shelf

You can also decorate the wall in the living room above the sofa with hanging pots, planters on the shelves or create a phytowall. The last option looks like the flowers are growing right out of the wall.

Shelves or cabinets

This is an option for small interiors where it is important to functionally use all the available space. However, even furniture can decorate a room.

Place open wide shelves above the sofa, decorate them with books, vases, boxes with necessary things and indoor flowers.

To avoid regular cleaning of the shelves, replace them with closed modules. You can give them a decorative look due to colored, textured or glass facades.

Pictured are bookshelves built around the sofa.

Interior Stickers

The stickers are affordable, come in all tastes and colors, and do the job of decorating a wall above a five-plus sofa.

Black decals are versatile and go with just about any setting. Mirrors enlarge the room, but they will only look harmoniously in modern, minimalism and other modern trends. Choose a colored sticker not only in style, but also in shade: it should become part of the space, and not look like a color spot.

Textured wall

You can decorate the wall above the sofa not only after the renovation, but also during it. Decorate the accent wall from the beginning and you don't have to spend money on accessories.

In addition to standard finishing materials such as brickwork, stone, decorative plaster or concrete, you can use wood or soft panels.

The classic hall can be decorated with molding frames. They divide the space into zones and look original. In such frames, wallpaper is glued, pictures are placed or they are left free.

In the photo, an example of decorating with wallpaper frames from moldings

Wallpaper

With this method, you will achieve the desired result and not spend a lot of money. Landscapes, panoramas, abstractions look great over the sofa in the living room. If you do not want to spend a lot of effort on a textured wall (brick, concrete), choose a photo wallpaper with its imitation.

For a small room, avoid close-ups or 3D effects, or dark shades. Natural landscape on a scale of 1: 1, which does not visually stand out from the background of other walls, will be just right.

Photo gallery

We shared with you 15 ideas for decorating a wall above a sofa. When choosing jewelry, be guided not only by the cost and appearance, but also by your preferences: the decor should delight you every day!