It seems to always be a conundrum, myself included, for what to do with the huge and blank wall behind your sofa. Do you try a gallery wall? Shelves?

In other words, what would make a statement?

As usual, Pinterest is the magic genie resource for ideas and inspiration, so I’ve pulled together a collection that will hopefully get your gears turning and give you some direction on what you’d like to do.

Because really, empty walls look so lonely.

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– Gallery Wall –

A gallery wall can be framed art, mirrors, word art, or a mix of all three. Anything goes, but do spend time to get it right. If you’d like to learn a way I’ve found for making a gallery art wall look good, check out my tutorial here.

To Get Started With This Look: Here’s some lovely vintage-looking botanical prints in a set of 6, or this moody seashells collection wall art. These antique-appearing architect drafting patents art collection are such a good conversation starter and look amazing.

This is an easy fix and can be quite inexpensive as well if you keep an eye out on craigslist, thrift stores, yardsales, Facebook yardsale groups, and auctions. We found our large art piece for over the sofa at a yardsale for a whoppin’ $1, and it adequately fills up the once-blank space.

Tip: If you rent, this is definitely a way to go as you only need 1-2 nail holes or Command hanging strips.

via Pottery Barn

large framed leftover wallpaper art

Go big or go home. ;)

To Get Started With This Look: Here’s a very beautiful, neutral watercolor of a forest for a calm effect, or this just-as-enticing forest in vibrant blues and greens. This large antiqued world map, and this collection of U.S. National Park prints from 1938 are for you if you love travel. The American flag is always a classic. I even found this large wooden art of a cargo airplane that’s almost exactly like the one in the first picture in this category!

You don’t need frames and pictures to make art. Get creative and use items usually found at flea markets and craigslist, such as old windows, shutters, doors, china plates, wooden paddles, skiis…you name it!

via Apartment Therapy

To Get Started With This Look: Here’s some weathered barnwood doors. Or maybe this neat arched antique-looking window? How about these wooden paddles that can also double as decor and for use in a mudroom? And I’m always a sucker for white and blue china plates, and this is a nice set of six that could be hung on a wall using these plate hangers.

Shelves help break up the walls and allow you to use framed art, mirrors, potted plants, wood art, figurines, etc. – Basically you have the freedom to use what you have and create multiple eye-catching interest on the wall.

To Get Started With This Look: Here’s a floating wall shelf that hides the wall brackets, or maybe you want to go with a shelf that has decorative brackets like this one has. I simply love this one with its carvings and worn paint. Maybe a good industrialized look for your shelves? Shelves held up by jute rope looks pretty neat too!

If there’s one thing we’re always lacking, it’s more bookshelves. To me, they always seem to add an instant coziness and interest to a room, especially when they are floor-to-ceiling. The beauty-part is that you don’t have to fill them only with books, but other pieces of art can pop up on the shelves.

via Horchow

photo via Jamie Beck Ann Street Studio

To Get Started With This Look: This open industrial metal and wood shelving would make a great focal point. Or you can use two or more (depending on the size of your couch) of this craftsman oak wood bookcase to fill in the space and even crown it out to look like a built-in. In that same line of thinking, you can use these bookcases that come as a pair and crown them out as built-ins as well.

For a big impact, consider painting or wallpapering a full-wall mural.

via thewallstickercompany

To Get Started With This Look: This Teal Almond Blossom backdrop by Van Gogh is a show stopper! Can’t help but also include this dramatic black and white of the Eiffel Tower after that inspiration picture here either (and they have other great European landmarks in that last link as well!)!

Wallpapering just one wall and making it your focal point in the room can add instant charm and drama. It can also create the feeling of height and space with floor to ceiling vertical stripes, trees or vines. It’s also an artwork all of its own, leaving no need for hanging wall art.

via Kate Hughes

To Get Started With This Look: I’m absolutely loving this lovely large-print floral blooms rose wallpaper! Or how about this crisp and bright floral and birds wallpaper that could bring style in any room. Blooming Wall’s shop has a beautiful selection of patterns and colors like this flowering trees and birds wallpaper! Here’s a vintage world map wallpaper too!

There’s lots of different styles for board and batten walls, but all are symmetrical. You can go half-wall, 3 quarters, or floor-to-ceiling. With so many options, you can have a lot of room to play around with what you think would look best for your room.

via Apartment Therapy

via 4inspireddesign

obviously not with a sofa, but I just love this full-wall board and batten design

To Get Started With This Look: A very cool idea is this already primed beaded wainscot kit that includes the chair rails and base boards (two different looks to choose from too)! Or if you like the farmhouse or the shiplap look, this wood plank kit gives you the look and feel of wood with self-adhesive versus having to nail or screw anything to your walls!

You don’t need to stick to one thing or another when decorating. Feel free to use multiple ideas together that work in harmony.

framed art gallery wall and mirror

board and batten, mirror, and wall lamps

wallpaper focal wall, shelves with interest pieces, framed wall art – via villa tretton

bookshelves boxing in the sofa (anchoring it), large art, wall lamps – via design crisis

Which of these inspired you most? I know I love the bookshelves, board and batten, and mirrors, but now I’m also eyeing the wallpaper idea…hmm…

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