Designing the layout of a living room goes beyond choosing trendy furniture. You should end up with a space that’s comfortable and shows a touch of personal style. One design area that often gets forgotten is the space above your sofa. Since sofas are usually the main attraction of a living space, the space above it naturally draws attention.
43 Ways to Decorate Above Your Sofa
So, how do you decorate above your sofa? There are several ways to do this, from decorating the airspace above your sofa literally to the wall behind it. Here, we’ll look at 23 ways to decorate above your sofa, so you’ll have a good idea of what works with your living room.
Hang an Oversized Statement Artwork
Credit to collectionprints
While the sofa is the main part of a living room, you can draw attention away from any of its stains or flaws by hanging an oversized statement art piece. Large artwork demands attention, instantly becoming the focal point of your living space. Feel free to choose any artwork you like, from abstract pieces, family portraits, or paintings of natural scenery.
Create a Gallery Wall
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A gallery wall works similarly to an oversized statement artwork. However, the main difference is that the wall doesn’t have just a singular piece of art—it’s packed with numerous smaller pieces that require closer inspection to appreciate. Go ahead and mix frame styles and sizes, but try and maintain a common thread (e.g., color palette or theme). Map the layout of your gallery wall on the floor before ultimately deciding what pieces should go where on the wall.
Use a Triptych Set
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A triptych set refers to three coordinated pieces of hanging artwork placed side by side. They create balance and structure above on the wall behind sofas. Triptych sets are especially helpful for long, narrow walls by creating a harmonious, eye-catching rhythm. These sets can consist of a single image broken into three separate panels or three distinct yet complementary panels.
Display a Grid of Uniform Frames
Credit to mixtiles
This is similar to an art gallery in how the goal is to fill the wall with multiple images. The main difference is the uniformity of frame sizes and themes. Identical frames laid out in a grid pattern can become a subtle way to complement a minimalist theme. The most common theme is portraits, as shown in this image, but you can use whatever repeating theme you prefer.
Try a Sunburst Mirror
Credit to wordinteriors
The most defining feature of a sunburst mirror is the spikes jutting out from the center of the mirror, thus creating the sunburst effect. The radiating form is an eye-catcher that breaks the monotony of boxy, rectangular lines. Sunburst mirrors fit well in mid-century to modern themes. There’s also the added benefit of the mirror reflecting natural sunlight to brighten the space.
Install a Floating Shelf
Credit to thewhitewoodhome
Floating shelves are a storage solution that combines form and function. Their brackets can be hidden behind the drywall or as accent pieces. Floating shelves are perfect for layering framed art, potted plants, and other small decorative pieces. Find a floating shelf that measures at least half the length of your sofa. If you’d like to avoid bulky cabinetry or hanging cupboards, floating shelves are a worthy candidate.
Add a Bookcase
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Bookcases can be more than just a handy way of keeping your favorite literature off the coffee table. A slim, wall-mounted bookcase instantly turns the wall space above your sofa into a stylish and functional focal point. To really make a statement, color-coordinate your books on the shelves for a cohesive look. If there’s nothing good on TV, at least you’ll have a good book within arm’s reach from the sofa!
Use Cube Shelves for Sculptural Display
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Cube shelves provide the same storage space as full-sized cupboards but without bulky supports. This storage option adds a geometric element to bare walls, perfect for showcasing collectibles and souvenirs. Try and arrange the cube shelves in a staggered pattern for a modern twist. Make sure not to overfill each cube to avoid visual clutter.
Add a Vertical Shelf Unit
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If you have the floor space to spare, a narrow shelf installed directly behind your sofa can be a great way to shift your guests’ attention upward. Vertical shelf units consist of multiple shelf tiers of varying heights to allow all sorts of knick-knacks, big and small. This is ideal for living rooms with high ceilings, but wall-hanging versions also exist for smaller spaces.
Hang Woven Artwork
Credit to camborhouse
Woven artwork, such as textile hangings, add a bit of personality and softness into any area. You’ll find these items complementary in living rooms with boho or coastal vibes. Depending on the size of the wall, you can go oversized with a singular large wall hanging or layer multiple small pieces with harmonious hues.
Hang a Macrame Wall Hanging
Credit to twisca_macrame
Macrame is a type of woven art. The defining feature of macrame is the intricate knots and twists of the thread, which are woven together to form abstract or nature-inspired pieces. The main benefit of macrame patterns is it softens hard edges of minimalist spaces, thereby introducing a bit of organic coziness in cold rooms. For wider walls behind sofas, opt for a wider macrame hanging as the new focal point.
Frame a Piece of Antique Fabric
Credit to robertkime
If you’d like to show off the fabric you received from nana, the bare wall space behind your sofa may be the perfect spot to do it. Antique fabric adds history and richness you won’t find in modern pieces. For more delicate fabrics, you may want to frame it inside a shadowbox. If not, just make sure the fabric is something you don’t mind collecting dust over time.
Mount a Metal Wall Sculpture
Credit to home_matchup
If displaying antique heirlooms isn’t your thing, perhaps you’ll be more interested in turning your wall behind the sofa into a showcase for metal wall sculptures. These things add a shine to the room while also fitting well within minimalist and industrial spaces. Spiked or curved, gold or matte black, you should coordinate the wall sculpture with the theme of your living room.
Install Modular Wood Blocks or Hexes
Credit to mamadrey88
Modular shelves are a great way to maximize wall space for storage. They come in multiple shapes, from traditional blocks to modern hexagons. Modular shelving can add a rhythm and depth to bare walls, while also creating a platform for showcasing a wide variety of items. For the greatest effect, stagger the heights of your modular shelves or mix colors.
Mount a Pair of Wall Sconces
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Any living room would benefit from additional lights. And when you’re low on floor space, you can move your lights off the ground by mounting wall sconces. Flanking your sofa with sconces creates a warm glow in the middle, highlighting any hanging statement piece. Make sure the sconces finish matches the overall theme of your living room. Go vintage brass for a classic charm or polished stainless steel for a more modern look.
Use LED Neon Art
Credit to omg_neons
For those looking for unconventional lighting options in the living room, here you go. LED neon art is a hip, playful way to decorate the wall behind your sofa. Choose words, shapes, symbols, or even your company’s name to reflect your values and personality. Make sure you’re happy with your choice since there’s very little you can do to alter the look of your neon sign.
Hang a Pendant
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Hanging pendants can go anywhere, from kitchens to living rooms. Instead of hanging it in the middle of your living room’s ceiling, why not install it above your sofa? The soft overhead lighting matches any style, but they’re especially effective in open-concept layouts. Choose woven shades for a more natural touch or sleek glass for modern tastes.
Hang a Living Wall
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Living walls, also known as vertical gardens, can be an effective way to breathe some life into any room. A living wall can consist of vines that scale your walls or a series of potted plants. Just make sure you know how to care for your living wall to prevent withering, drying, and death. Living walls with built-in irrigation systems exist, but they can be a bit of a hassle to set up without prior know-how.
Use a Paneled Accent Wall
Credit to rowefinefurniture
Wall panels instantly turn the wall behind your sofa into the main focal point. They are available in a wide variety of patterns and colors, but you can paint yours to match the overall theme of your living room. Panels with vertical slats can help create the illusion of higher ceilings, while vertical slats visually expand the width of the room.
Try a Painted Arch
Credit to aekatvadesigns and ar.aravinth.ashokumar
If you want a more permanent solution of decorating the wall behind your sofa but without installing wall panels, a bucket of paint and a paintbrush are all you need. Try painting an arch, or a series of arches as shown in this image, behind your sofa. These arches can help soften the hardness of corners, while also showing off your personal creativity. If you’re unhappy with the final result, paint over the arches and start again from scratch.
Add Vertical Stripes Behind the Sofa
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Vertical lines, whether in the form of painted stripes or wall paneling, invite your guests to shift their gaze upward. This artificially increases the height of the room, which is perfect for low-ceiling living areas. Choose contrasting colors for a bold statement or softer tones for subtle dimension.
Use Wall Decals
Credit to ensuwalldecals
For the renters out there whose design options are limited, you may appreciate the versatility of wall decals. This renter-friendly, budget-conscious option is a simple way to decorate above your sofa, from the wall to the ceiling. Wall decals can mimic the look of wallpaper but with a more customized feel. You can apply and remove the decals with ease, so experiment with what suits your mood the best.
Follow the Two-Thirds Rule
Credit to claybow
The most basic wall-decorating principle is the two-thirds rule. This rule dictates that your wall’s décor should measure approximately two-thirds the width of your sofa. Leaving a bit of bare space on either side of the sofa helps maintain visual interest without overloading the senses. This is done by avoiding decorative pieces that are too small or too large.
