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Books run the show in this swanky media room designed by Brigette Romanek, but there’s still room for some black and white prints to break up the stacks. She secured them to the shelf dividers and alternated the orientation so a punch of dimension.
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In this entryway by Emil Dervish that gorgeous cobalt blue door steals the show. To bring even more drama, he extended the paint. to the doorframe and the wall up, finishing in an arched shape. The curves, along with a spherical sconce, soften the edges. Then frames vintage posters and maps of beloved places set the scene.
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Jenny Dina Kirschner filled this living room with cheeky treasures sourced from Chairish. The Gallery of portraits animates the entire room and plays up the tall ceilings (which means extra vertical space!) instead of overcrowding the small room with too much furniture.
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A wall-to-wall mural creates a sense of intimacy, as if you’re viewing a painting alone in a museum, in this living room by Raji RM. The scale alone leaves you awestruck, while the approachable materials throughout the space tone it down for a touch of approachability.
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Miniatures are too adorable to be stashed away in a dollhouse. Put some tiny framed paintings on display for a subtle yet cheeky gallery wall in the bedroom. The traditional gilt frames are an unexpected treat in this space designed by Jae Joo.
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Equal parts grand and laidback, this foyer designed by Anthony Baratta is the perfect blueprint to follow if you’re decorating a formal entrance that still feels unfussy and comfortable. Patterned textiles take center stage (see the carpets and the sofa), but they also help bring the high ceilings down to a human scale when hung over wallpaper.
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A flip on the typical gallery wall? A gallery wall of antique hand mirrors. Clustered together, these simple, eclectic mirrors function as art (and reflect light beautifully).
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In this sleek, minimalist apartment bedroom designed by Crosby Studios, a large abstract figure is painted painted directly onto the walls. It extends from the wall to the ceiling, making the room feel more polished and whole but still organic.
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Stacks of books bring character and depth to this simple wooden bench in an entryway designed by Jeffrey Dungan without overcrowding it. Plus, since it’s lower than a console table, there’s extra wall space for that fabulous gallery wall, which is a fascinating mix of sizes, shapes, and colors.
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Two massive canvases fill the large wall in this contemporary living room by AP Design House. Rough layers of bright white paint pop against the cream-painted walls while still being neutral so that the peach and navy accents can maintain the color spotlight.
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Alternating frames, sizes, and shapes make this experimental gallery wall of mirrors in a bathroom by Cecilia Casagrande both fun and practical.
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Or, install two mirrors right across from each other to get the effect of a never-ending gallery of mirrors. The infinity effect works well in a modern, minimalist environment, such as this bathroom designed by Kristin Fine.
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You can hang your art on the wall and call it a day, or you can pay special attention to choosing the right backdrop for an even bigger impact. Here, the inimitable Miles Redd placed modern artwork on a classic mural wall covering for contrast and just a touch of playfulness.
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Think outside the box with decor that bounces light and makes fun illusions. The most obvious example is a disco ball, which Leanne Ford makes a strong case for in this otherwise laidback living room.
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When you run out of wall space or simply need to hide a less than ideal view, hang your artwork over a window. Interior designer Krystal Mathews found the perfect size artwork and frame to animate the window seat while still letting in enough light.
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A gallery wall doesn’t need to take up the entire room. In fact, sometimes a tiny one can make a bigger style statement. In this living room, Hiedi Caillier opted for micro-mini frames and a random composition.
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Designer Juan Carretero opted for a deep green paint color to contrast with the light wood finishes. And while he did hang a decorative accent on the back wall, he also introduced art by securing a small frame to a baluster.
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Put your artwork in the literal spotlight by installing a sconce above it. Interior designer Jean Liu allowed this pretty painting to determine the color scheme throughout the room, tempering its pops of blue with neutral tones and lots of rough texture.
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The whimsy of butterfly and botanical motif wallpaper gets a newfound edge from the graphic modern art.
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Interior designer Tamsin Johnson spotlights avant garde and experimental pieces in this living room, yet the aesthetic remains classic and understated thanks to the soft curves and organic shapes that warm up the space’s modern look. Ettore Sottsass’s iconic pink floor mirror in the entryway hints at the sculptural wall decor in the living room.
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Here’s another example of the Ultrafragola mirror connecting two rooms and looking endlessly cool. Designed by Nicole Dohmen of Atelier ND with occupant Carice Van Houten, the bedroom opens right into the bathroom. Since there’s no door, they made each space feel distinct with drastically different paint colors but then made it cohesive with printed curtains and a statement wall mirror.
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A three-dimensional wall sculpture can bring an entire room to life. Delia Kenza Interiors wisely chose to hang this abstract beauty above the fireplace mantel, where the eye is naturally drawn and it remains protected from the space’s heavily trafficked paths.
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Though contemporary in look and feel, this dining room designed by Heidi Caillier also boasts a lived-in, historied character. That’s thanks to the vintage pieces, from the carpet to the light fixture, as well as the nods to farmhouse style, like the display of decorative plates and wooden table.
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Interior designer Peti Lau painted this accent wall a deep marine hue and then brightened it up with a marigold bench and matching wall art. But not just any wall art. Rather than hanging a framed painting or photograph, she secured a rug to the wall. It’s a great way to bring soft texture and give new meaning to old pieces.
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Because most hallways and stairways are too narrow for accent furniture or even smaller decorative items, focus on your animating your surfaces. Here, Cameron Ruppert spiced up the stairs with a custom leopard-print runner and then paired a bubblegum landscape painting with floral lavender wallpaper.
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An eclectic display of black and white artwork adds just the right amount of visual interest to a strict neutral color scheme in this contemporary living room designed by Tamsin Johnson.
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No wall space? No problem. Use your ceiling instead! Designer Rodney Lawrence hung Zanini de Zanine shelves at various heights in this NYC loft entryway. They delicately distinguish the entryway but can actually hold books and accessories.
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A grid arrangement of iconic photographs that capture Southern California’s skate culture shape the laidback, beachy environment in this dining room by Nicole Hollis Studio. Paired with a jute rug and clean wood furniture, this dining room nails the difficult-to-achieve look of unpretentious sophistication.
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A pair of floating cubic shelves function as pedestals to prop up vases in this colorful dining room designed by Corey Damen Jenkins. This trick is perfect for a narrow wall in a dining room, hallway, or entry, and it’s a nice way to decorate the walls without hanging artwork.
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Though most of the wall space is occupied, Alexander Reid didn’t let that stop him from hanging art—he just had to reach a little higher. The array of framed artwork gives this bathroom a more refined flair and draws the eye up, accentuating the high ceiling.
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The drape motif molding in this classic home designed by Arent & Pyke adds a touch of decadence which is juxtaposed against the modern portrait and abstract yellow painting, the funky chrome bar cart, kaleidoscopic vase, and graphic stool, and the shabby chic slipcovered sofa. All of the pieces come together in the colors of the antique carpet.
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With a wild yet thoughtful mix of colors, patterns, and textures, this bathroom designed by Sean Scherer is bursting with personality. The room is anchored by an inky black clawfoot tub, but the decorative pieces are what really bring it to life, from the bronze sconces, and gilt framed artwork—both of which add an unexpected gothic twist—to the light turquoise wall and lime green and coral candlesticks.
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The fireplace anchors the living room in Alison Victoria’s Chicago home. With elaborate gilt frames but simply leaning against the wall and overlapping, the figure drawings strike a balance between formal and casual.
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Here, a painted on runner by Annie Sloan looks just like a carpet.”Do something groovy on the actual steps! The bolder you go, the bigger the smile when you see them,” says Fawn Galli. And while the floors are obviously having a moment, the deep chocolate brown walls also deserve some kudos. The floral still lives add a sweeter, romantic touch to the saturated red floor—even if they’re more subtle—and they also create a nice rhythm with the wall moldings.
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Framed solid colors can be the sunny touch to yoru walls you didn’t know you needed. “[My] client wanted to use her existing table so we worked with that,” says interior designer Heidi Caillier. The white frames complement the table but they’re slight enough not to look too stark.
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Amy Berry incorporated a chaise and rocking chair for reading and brought the room to life with a classic toile wallpaper and framed botanical prints (Pro tip: Shop for your own affordable collection on Etsy or at a flea market!). Keeping most of the decor on the walls leaves more useable floor space so there’s room to play in child’s room.
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If you have a lot of wall space to fill, group small pieces together. To create an interesting pattern or to give it some shape, trace a piece of furniture that’s against the wall with the collection of frames.
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Large-scale line drawings are so simple, and you can style them with just about anything. The abstract look and neutral color palette allows for the oversized format in this layered living room designed by Leanne Ford Interiors.
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This hallway designed by Sean Scherer proves that super intense, saturated colors pair nicely with more traditional styles (in this case, English cottage-inspired interiors). The light turquoise painted floors and deeper, more matte blue walls create the perfect backdrop for a playful gallery wall of gilt mirrors, religious iconographies, and more modern portraits.
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With two gilt mirrors stacked against each other, this room gives fun house a whole new meaning. Though it’s simple and easy to do, it makes a big style statement.
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A striking metal object is the focal point of this California living room designed by Corinne Mathern Studio. The soft curves, fluffy pampas grass, and pale color scheme make it inviting, elegant, and edgy all at once.
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For double the artwork, try color-blocking the wall you plan to display your photo gallery on, as seen with the gray-on-gray look here by Studio DB.
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Why hang a print of a plant when you can hang the actual plant? We love how this one introduces more dimension and carries the botanical theme into the space in a much more tactile way.
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The primary colors and geometric accents—the sputnik pedant and artwork—take center stage in this living room by Kingston Lafferty Design. The paint variations throughout set the scene for an ode to color and shape.
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For an eye-catching bathroom, opt for one large piece in the center of the back wall. A moody black and white photograph will give a neutral bathroom much more personality, as Leanne Ford Interiors proves here.
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No room is too small for artwork. In fact, sometimes small spaces are the perfect places to display things on the walls since vertical space is all you have to show off your style. We love the eclectic artwork against the baby pink walls of this powder room.
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The rounded backs of the folding rattan dining chairs mimic the rounded edges of the wall art. Though simple, the departure from a classic angular frame makes the space feel much more unique and thoughtful.
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For a effortlessly cool and easy elegance, lean your artwork against the wall. Not only will it save you the headache of installation, but it also gives the space a special, almost-bohemian feel.
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The breakfast nook in this kitchen designed by Molly Britt and Eric Olsen makes a big visual impact. While the kitchen itself bright, creating an open and airy atmosphere, the breakfast nook feels like a cozy and intimate space thanks to the dark paint color and classic gallery wall (and of course the architectural divot).
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This pair of framed lithographs are perfect for this smaller hallway canvas designed by Martyn Lawrence Bullard. When choosing your artwork, don’t forget to consider shape and size. Two tall and narrow pieces can be better than one large piece, especially if you want the wallpaper in the back to peek out more.
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The more unique, the bigger the statement when it comes to wall decor and art. A good way to to switch things up a little is by choosing artwork that doesn’t live within the confined borders or a rectangular or square frame. This one inn a living room designed by Studio DB is a real stunner.
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If you have a collection of items that can be hung up, turn it into artwork by putting it on display in a cluster. It’s a fun, stylish, and affordable way to give new life to things you already have.
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Mounted butterflies, drawings, and historic artwork on a deep black backdrop create a moody office space.
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Hang silhouettes in mismatched frames to keep them from feeling too dated and stuffy. You could do the same thing with family photos, too, for a more personal touch.
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Those rich abstract paintings breathe so much personality into this mostly white space. Coupled with the modern periwinkle and graphic carpet, they both pop and blend in.
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