The wall above the sofa is full of design potential, which can be realized with a little imagination. Gallery wall? Geometric painting design? Or maybe a fabric wall hanging? To inspire your own decorating efforts, please check out the nine living rooms in our home visit below, with interesting things above the sofa. Everyone can take a look at everything from artistic decorations to floating shelves.
This Philadelphia home has photos on the entire wall above the sofa in the living room, which is a statement to say the least. We like the retro feel of the selected art.
1. A Big Piece of Art
Why waste your time wallpapering when you can employ one large-scale work of art instead? Take a cue from Dee Speed’s New Orleans’ home and hang a colorful painting or print above your sofa to make a big impact in your living room.
2. Vintage Finds
Looking for a renter-friendly way to make a statement behind your sofa? Propped up vintage art, like this vignette we spotted in Mila Moraga-Holz’s Los Angeles abode, is every bit as eye-catching as framed art—no hammer or nails necessary.
3. An Oversized Mirror
If you thought oversized mirrors were reserved for bedrooms then think again. Not only does a large mirror above your sofa look super chic, it helps create the illusion of more space in a small living room, just like what we saw in this eclectic apartment.
4. A Floating Shelf
Sure, decorative items look great above your couch, but have you ever considered the storage opportunity that wall offers? A sturdy floating shelf, like the one we saw in Jasna’s Canadian living room, helps anchor the empty area above your sofa, while also offering up some unexpected storage space.
5. An Interesting Textile
Whether it’s a rug, woven wall hanging, or a good old-fashioned tapestry, hang a unique textile above your couch to create a layered look in your living room, just like we saw in Breeze Giannasio’s Washington, D.C. home.
6. A Gallery Wall
A good gallery wall can be really impactful above a sofa. Case in point: Chambers Austelle’s Charleston, South Carolina home, where she turned a cramped living room corner into a hip sofa scene by installing a salon-style art display on the wall.
7. Lighting
Searching for something a little more functional to fill the space above your sofa? Follow in Zeba Blay’s footsteps and employ a sleek floor lamp to center your couch and create some ambient lighting, like she did in her New Jersey rental.
8. Interesting Objects
Forget your boring old art prints and paintings. A handful of decorative objects, like the celestial metal sculptures Amelia Nicholas mounted above the sofa in her New York City apartment, offer a surprising spin on traditional living room art.
