Aim for something that measures roughly two thirds the length of the sofa - this could be one large picture or an arrangement of several smaller pictures. Pictures that are too small can look lost hanging above a large sofa, and likewise a picture that is too large can overwhelm a sofa instead of enhancing it.Ī rule of thumb is that a single picture (or group of pictures) shouldn’t be wider than the actual sofa itself. Wall art is the obvious choice, but getting picture size and placement right is key to a successful scheme. The wall area above a sofa is often quite vast, so it can be a tricky area to get right. What are good living room over the sofa wall decor ideas?

Pick pictures that complement each other, such as a similar style or colour palette, and try painting the wall behind in a shade that complements the picture frames so that it will bring out the colour of the art. If structured grids and galleries aren’t for you, create a more informal look with a mix of painted watercolours or oil-painted pieces displayed in vintage picture frames. Create a living room gallery wallĪrtwork is always a winner when it comes to filling wall space. This works especially well on walls at the far end of rectangular living spaces.’ 12. ‘But, conversely, very rich blues, dark greys and fathomless greens have an almost bottomless depth that our eyes find hard to focus on – and thus create a sense of a wall being further away than it actually is. ‘Dark colours might instinctively be colours to avoid if you are looking to create a feeling of space, as people fear making their room look smaller,’ says Ruth. Make your own art with a length or two of metallic wallpaper on a large panel, an easy way of introducing a touch of pattern without a full-on look.

Dark colours on walls can create a receding effect so that walls seem further away, visually enlarging the space.ĭark living room walls also make a great foil for rich colours, plush textures and metallic finishes, so bring in lots of sparkle and shine on accent furniture, soft furnishings and wall art. (Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Whitmore)ĭon’t shy away from using darker paint colours in a small living room. Our Colour Scales collection offers 48 sophisticated neutrals, each organised into 12 families, making it easy to achieve a harmonious look when combined.’ 9. ‘Continue the same colour across doors, door frames and cornices to further create an uninterrupted feel to a room. ‘Painting walls and woodwork in the same colour, or slight tonal variations of the same hue, creates a monochromatic scheme that seamlessly stretches the look of the walls from the floor and ceiling,’ says Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director at Little Greene. While more traditional to paint skirtings and woodwork in standard white, this creates a harsh break that jars the eye visually, while continuous colour helps blur the lines and will also save cutting-in time when painting. Warmer tones feel enveloping and rich and are ideal for living spaces where we want to relax and cocoon ourselves away. Create a calm and cosy living room scheme by painting walls and woodwork to match in a dark, dusky shade.

Unique wall decor ideas