What To Do With An Empty Wall

By Rebecca Wardon

There’s nothing more exciting than a bare wall. It’s a fresh start. It’s a blank canvas. It can be turned into something beautiful. But where to start? Here’s some ideas on making the most out of that empty space.

SIZES

Whether you’re opting for a gallery wall, or just hanging a single frame choosing the correct size piece for a space is important. You want to make sure that the space is being utilized correctly. A big, open wall with a small piece will look empty and unfinished. A small wall with a giant piece can look overstuffed and crammed.

If you’re hanging multiple objects, make sure the sizes work together and are balanced. Variety is the spice of life, and using a mélange of sizes can create a wonderful eclectic feel, but using symmetrical and matching sized décor can create a streamlined modern look.

No matter what, make sure it works for you and your home. Something you saw in a magazine or on Pinterest might not translate perfectly to your walls, and that’s okay. Understanding the dimensions of your space and how to best utilize them is the first step to a well-designed home.

COLORS

Colors are key when it comes to design. Whether you’re looking for bold and brash or muted and calm, creating a unified color palette is step one. Make sure all your décor works well with itself as well as the rest of the home. What you hang on your living room wall should harmonize with your countertops in the kitchen, especially in an open-concept floor plan.

That’s not saying it has to be matchy-matchy. Statement pieces are all the rage these days. Even a cool muted room can really benefit from some brightly colored pieces! Have fun, and remember that your choice of color can positively affect the mood of your home.

THEMES

Having a unified theme to your decoration can tie a whole home together. Now, that doesn’t mean you have to fill every shelf and frame and bookcase with frog statuettes, or bobbleheads, or lawn gnomes. In fact, please don’t do that. All it means is keeping a stylistic theme consistent. Whether that’s mid-mod, minimalistic, shabby chic, traditional, contemporary, or whatever is up to you. And don’t feel constrained by a theme. Break the mold from time to time! But overall you want your home to feel complete, and a cohesive theme will accomplish just that.

For beautiful homes you just can’t wait to decorate, start right here.