How to Break Up a Large Wall in Living Room and Refresh the Space

by Melissa Vickers April 07, 2021

Living rooms are for living. Yet they sometimes feel like a living nightmare.

Only eight percent of living rooms are compact. More than forty percent are large or expansive, with massive blank walls. They are boring to look at and they are a waste of space.

Many people try to break up space by adding throw pillows to their sofas or turning their walls into gallery walls. But that just calls attention to the blank areas. To know how to break up a large wall in living room, you need to learn about color, texture, and space.

Start learning, and you can start truly living in your living room. Here is your guide.

Paint

The simplest solution to break up your wall is to paint it. But don't just throw some random color on it.

Take a look at your living room. Note the colors that are dominant in the room. When painting a large wall, you want to create a contrast, but you don't want to be too shocking.

If your room has a lot of dark blues, consider painting your wall a light blue. This will let your space stand out without a sharp divide.

If you like the color of your wall, you can add a new coat of the same paint. This may be enough to reinvigorate your wall.

Distinguish between the different types of paint you can use. Oil-based paints are durable, but they take a while to dry. Water-based paints are expensive but they resist cracks and fading.

Furnishings

Furnishings can be fairly inexpensive and utilitarian. They are perfect to add to a living room since you spend so much time there.

Use several small furnishings in order to curate a scene. Put a couch in the center of the wall, then place chairs on either side. This lets your entire family sit together.

You can place one chair against the wall, then place a table on either side. This lets the room feel more like a work area.

Living room with half a sofa showing, main part of photo is a teal chair with a table next to it.

Add pillows and covers to the chairs. These allow the furnishings to pop, drawing attention away from the wall. They also provide soft surfaces to rest on.

Since nearly all furniture rests on the floor, you will have some space higher up on the wall. You can place a mirror over top of the main piece of furniture.

This can act as a centerpiece that divides the room into two even parts. It provides a splash of color on the wall, reflecting the bright ceiling and other surfaces.

Many people want a more modern living room. But adding some vintage-style furniture can make your space feel unique. Place a wooden drawer or an oak table.

For a luxurious appearance, you can select emerald green furniture. Emerald green is bold and deep, and it has been associated with royalty since antiquity. Select an emerald green couch, or have an emerald table with gold finishes.

Shelves

Shelves are incredibly versatile. For a simple way to break up blank walls, you can place shelves against them.

Try to make use out of the shelves. Place books, movies, and things you will use in the living room. Installing shelves just to break up the wall is a waste of space and resources.

If your wall ends at a corner that leads into a room, place a shelf at the end of the wall. The shelf establishes a transition point between your living room and the other room. You can store objects for both rooms on it, creating easy access.

Neutral colored living room, looking at a sofa, back wall has 2 sets of shelves

If you are placing a shelf against the wall, try to find one with a solid backing. Looking through it at your wall will remind you of how big your wall is.

You need to open up some space so you can access your shelves. Do not place furniture directly in front of or beside them. You can add a chair to your room, but situate it a little off to the side.

For a sleek design, you can add a display case. This is a great option if you have valuable memorabilia. Tint the glass for an added touch of color.

Lights

Adding lights to your wall is a bold move. It's best for a living room that does not have a dominant electronic appliance, like a television. Too much light will make it hard to see.

Wall sconces are sophisticated yet simple. They work well as ambient light sources, especially when placed over a chair or desk. Place one on each side of a desk or chair, with switches beneath them.

String lights add an ethereal touch. They are best for a section that needs decorative elements, not practical lighting. You can install small hooks, then hang the lights from them.

If you don't want to attach lights to the wall, you can place a lamp against the wall. Try to find a big table lamp and place it on a table. Other lamps tend to be small, which does not break the wall up.

Plants

Plants bring nature into your digitized living room. You can get really creative with how you use plants.

Green plants offer a strong dash of dark green. A rubber tree plant has thick leaves, which make it good for blocking a section of the wall. A snake plant has thinner but taller leaves, which make it ideal for a high wall.

Rubber plant in a wicker basket sitting on a stool against a plain wall.

If green would not work for your space, you can add flowers instead. Try a combination of different ones. Combining flowers adds pops of several different colors.

You can place plants on the floor, or you can hang them on the wall. Make sure they do not swing or strike the wall itself.

You should also make sure you can water and light them properly. You will need sunshine and supplies of fresh air. If your living room does not have these, do not place plants in it.

The most common pots are brown or clay-colored. These contrast well with the green leaves or bright flowers, but they are not ideal for complimenting a living room.

Select planters that are more vibrant. Textured planters add depth to your plants, drawing the eye away from the wall behind them.

Molding and Paneling

If you want a more formal appearance, you can add molding. Many historic homes and dining rooms have panel molding in them.

Raise the borders of the molds to add depth. If you want to make a focal point out of a piece of furniture, place it in front of a raised border mold.

Corner of where a wall meets the ceiling showcasing wall moulding.

Wooden paneling adds warmth and elegance. It can transform your wall, then you can place small wooden furnishings against the panels. This can turn your room into a more rustic space.

Mirrored panels are bold yet sophisticated. You can combine a couple of mirrored panels with wooden ones to create small sections out of your big wall.

Wall Art

When people think of wall art, their minds often jump to paintings. Paintings are dynamic, and you can find a painting for any style or taste.

Shop at local art stores and use search engines to determine where your taste lies. You don't want to rush to buy a piece of art. An artwork can make your wall look ugly, and most are very expensive.

You can install one big piece of art that fills the center of your wall. You can fill in any gaps with pieces of furniture or smaller pieces.

You can also install several different pieces. You can place a painting or drawing in the center, then place photographs out to the side. This creates good contrast while giving the eye plenty to look at.

Tapestries and textiles are other options. They add rich colors and soft textures, inviting a sense of comfort into a room.

You can hang your tapestry in several different ways. To call less attention to your wall, avoid hanging it in a frame. Use invisible hooks or Velcro to keep the tapestry in place.

Make sure you have a good lighting source to view your art. A window that is opposite your wall may work fine. But you can also place pendant lights on the opposite wall that shine on your art.