Awesome Living Room Wall Art That Makes a Statement: Beyond Paintings and Photos

Let’s face it: bare walls can be a bit boring. Adding art brings life to your living room, but that doesn’t mean you have to hang the same old thing: paintings and photo galleries are classic, but they’re not the only way to spice up naked walls. From neon lights to living walls to suspended sculptures, we’ve rounded up some unexpected living room decor ideas for inspiration.

rustic living room with hanging chair and doors on wall

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Open the Door

We use them every day for function, but doors can be decor, too. From beautiful vintage barn doors to carved wooden gates, antique doors can be repurposed and affixed to the wall as bold declarations of interior style.

white wall with white planters and green plants

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Green Means Go

We’re always fans of plants in the living room – they bring a natural element to the space, while also helping to purify the air – so why not transform your favourite greenery into art for the wall? Try adding plants on shelves or go big and get creative with a living wall.

shelf with plants and neon sign on white wall

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Light Bright

Once a staple of casinos and strip malls, the neon lights of now bring instant cool and an element of contemporary style to a living room.

white wall with magazine covers and images on clipboards on wall

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Clip Art

It’s all about presentation. Another way to play with wall art in your living room is to experiment with the way you display your pieces. Instead of standard frames, try using unexpected vessels like clipboards as creative alternatives.

white wall with geometric patterns and wall paper in black frames

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Put it in Pieces

As gorgeous as boldly printed wallpaper can be, it’s not always the solution for your living room. Instead of papering the whole wall, try adding brightness and personality to your space by framing a collection of vibrant patterns and prints.

pink wall with framed painting and an assortment of ceramic plates

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A Clean Plate

If you love the look of a gallery wall, cook up a fresh take on that idea by creating a gallery of other unique objects – like a collection of colourful plates.

black painting on beige wall in modern living room with grey chair

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Blank Spaces

Can you get something from nothing? Yes, you can, if you’re looking for statement-making style. A single-hue painting gives your living room the best of both worlds, serving up clean, minimalist appeal and bold drama all at once.

white wall with black-framed Helvetica movie poster and white couch with pillows

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Cinephile Chic

Does the word “poster” give you shuddering flashbacks to teenage bedrooms littered with crinkled magazine cutouts of pop stars? Fear not. For grown-up spaces, a tasteful, well-designed movie poster in a sleek frame can add an incredibly affordable touch of whimsy and personality.

white living room with oval mirror hanging above forest-green couch

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A Time for Reflection

From an ornate antique to a sleek, ultra-modern shape, a big framed mirror adds a reflective element to your living room, as well as a touch of practicality.

rustic living room with wood-panelled wall, fireplace and a metallic sculpture on the wall

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A Little Dimension

Who says sculptures always need to stand on their own? Hanging a piece of sculptural art adds texture and sophisticated dimension to a room – while simultaneously making a conversation-starting statement.

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All Signs Point to Stylish

If abstract sculpture isn’t your thing, consider hanging recognizable objects and antiques as beautiful wall accents.

white living room with grey couch and snowshoes and sign on wall

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More Than a Hobby

If you want to show your personality in your living room, consider showcasing your passion. If you’re a winter-sport aficionado, try turning antique skis into wall art or if you love books, make pages into a spectacular sculpture.

white wall with framed photos and wooded shelves with small plants and antiques

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A Touch of Whimsy

Don’t be afraid of a little personality. Use shelving to display a collection or a curated mix of antique objects and funky accents for serious character that speaks to your unique space.

rustic living room with wooden statement wall and glass wall

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A Natural Finish

There’s almost nothing more eye-catching than a bold look that’s grounded in nature – like a statement wall adorned with rich wood paneling for natural contrast.

slim wooden shelves on a white living room wall

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Shelve It

Unique shapes, sizes and colours of shelving serve as wall art in themselves – while also doubling as the perfect place to display a curated collection of artistic objects.

white living room with tapestry hanging, eye mirror and green cactus on the floor

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New Materials

Art doesn’t have to be made of paper: try adding rich, boho-chic layers to your walls with woven tapestries, knit pieces and hanging fabric art.

beige wall with a series of frames text art pieces

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Use Your Words

The pen is mightier than the sword and – sometimes – text-based art can make a bigger impact than images. Experiment with framed quotes or words for living room wall art that truly (literally) makes a statement.

white wall with black-framed text graphic

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Don’t Take it Too Seriously

When it comes to living room wall art, try not to stress. Have fun with playful wall art pieces that reflect your personality – you can always switch things up.