Now that our kitchen / dining room is finished (the butcher block counters are supposed to arrive later next week, and then I can show you some after pictures!) I’ve decided to FINALLY finish our living room… since we’ve been living here for almost 2 years now.
And by “finish”, I really just need to figure out what to do on the wall above our couch.
Plus we have plaster walls so I don’t want to put too many nail holes in (at least until I’m positive the nails will stay there for a while).
As you can see by the rest of the room, everything is very neutral (carpet, trim, walls, couch) and then I have accents of green, red, mustard, navy, brown, and black — so pretty much any color works in my house 🙂
I should mention that the two mustard-colored swivel rocking chairs will eventually get slip-covered, we’re just “testing them out for size” right now before I spend the money.
But aren’t they cute? $35 for the pair on Craigslist!
Anyway, back to the living room…
Here’s a bird’s-eye view of our living room — pretty much “to-scale”. You can click on the photo to enlarge.
UPDATE: After reading a few of the comments, I should mention that we are not interested in changing the layout of the living room. For the past two years we’ve been arranging, rearranging, and moving furniture — trying every option we can thing of — but we ALWAYS come back to the couch in this position. It makes our living room feel much larger, it gives Nora lots more room to move around, and it flows better with the rest of our house. Just trust me! Plus, Dave might shoot me if I ask him to move that couch one more time 🙂
All the other walls are decorated, it’s just the wall above the couch that need something… a big something 🙂
Here’s a closer look at the color pallet I really like…
Also, now that we knocked down the walls between our living room, kitchen, and dining room, I’d like all the rooms to “flow” color wise. So here’s a picture of our dining room — hopefully I don’t spoil too much of our kitchen “reveal”!
So lots of “warm colors”.
I’ve already thought about doing a picture collage… but I feel like I would need SO many pictures.
I’ve thought about hanging old windows or an old door… but not sure how that would look either.
I’ve looked through Pinterest and I’ve flipped through magazines.
And now it’s been TWO years of living with a huge bare wall above our couch!
Thoughts, suggestions, ideas?
Anyone want to come do this for me? I’ll pay you in baked goods!
Barb says
Why not do some sort of paintings(free hand) like a scenic one, trees, a special design, etc.? There are alot of cute and wonderful “sticker” designs also out there. You have such a cute home, it looks so inviting and cozy!!
Beth says
Hi! I have never left a comment before and am not sure if this is the right way, but I have enjoyed something on our wall and it was very reasonable price wise. We have a large wall, so, lots of space to fill. We hung a black curtain rod with decorative ends. On the rod are three grapevine wreaths hung with wide decorative ribbon – just simple loops to attach the wreaths. I hope this helps get the creative juices flowing. Thank you for your blog!!
Jenny says
Why not just a large framed mirror? It will make the space seem even bigger plus it will look nice.
Tara says
Depends how formal you’re looking to make it. I accidentally made a new large wall hanging for our living room. I was throwing a baby shower for a little boy who’s parents are big country people. In leau of other fluffy decor, I decorated by hanging tiny flannel shirts and overalls etc. on a long piece of twine hanging between two nails and used clothespins to hang the clothes. It was adorable.
When the shower was over and the clothes went home with the mama-to-be, my husband started clipping artwork he and my two-year-old daughter had made together on it with the clothespins. Paper snowflakes made from sparkly/fancy scrapbook paper, handprint artwork, finger paintings, crayon illustrations with stories she’s dictated to one of us, crafts for the current season (right now there are fall leaf crafts on it), some of our favorite recent snapshots, etc.
Well, baby girl is nearly four years old now. Everyone who comes to our house loves to see what our daughter has been doing and she loves to show them. It’s not fancy, but it’s very heartwarming and it’s surprisingly aesthetically appealing in an informal way when I carefully arrange everything on it. Very colorful and cheerful and interactive. We hang birthday banners and decor on it too. It’s easy to customize for any celebration.
On a wall that big you could hang up two lines and purposefully hang some more adult artwork up there too or maybe hang large mod podged letters of your last name or come country stars or something more sophisticated among the kiddo artwork. Similar to this: http://hometolife.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Kids-Art-Display-Banner_product_main.jpg
Just a thought. :o)
I never planned to integrate kid crafts into my decor so much, but it really pleases my daughter and in turn pleases me. A more formal way to do it could be this: http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/kidscraftsactivitiesblog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/drapes-artwork.png
Even if you don’t use it for this big wall, it’s a really fun idea for any little wall you’d like to dedicate to displaying Nora’s art instead of cluttering up the fridge (because we all know your fridge is clutter free). ;o)
Andrea says
Love this idea!
And my fridge is clutter free — but that’s because it’s stainless steel so it’s not magnetic 🙂
The Diaper Diaries says
Super easy, super cheap 🙂 http://thediaperdiaries.net/works-for-me-wednesday-inexpensive-artwork-2/
Krista says
Whenever I get a big wall like that, I always hang a quilt on it. I quilt, so generally I design something that works with my room and go from there. I tell my husband it’s because the wall is “cold”. I know you are interested in frugal, so I generally make mine from scraps (or big parts of them from scraps), but if you are not a quilter, you can have one made for you. You might find someone through your local guild. I do this for people from time to time and the cost is not huge, depending on how complicated the pattern and how many materials I am buying vs they are buying. Plus a quilt can incorporate all the colors that you want as well as any design that you like.
oneshabbychick says
You may have heard this one already, but how about picture ledges? You have room for 2 -3 on that wall. you’d have a lot of flexibilty with what you could display and could change it up whenever you feel like it. I think family photos would look great on that wall and I disagree that you would need a lot. Just some larger ones with some presence mixed in with smaller things. I love the look of a gallery wall and ledges mean you aren’t committed to an arrangement and can display other cool stuff, too. Monochromatic frames and B&W prints look great and white especially would keep the peaceful feel. For your warm and cozy farmhouse, I think family photos would be fab! Happy decorating!
Amber says
Another idea I’ve seen on Pinterest a lot lately is an old pallet, with some of the slats removed, and you could use it as shelving to hang a couple of pictures/vases/knick knacks.
Heart and Haven says
How about a starburst mirror? To coordinate with the stars you have throughout the dining room.
Katie says
Andrea,
First I would like to say that your blog is the only one I regularly look at. I appreciate your ideas on keeping thing simple and real.
These are some ideas I have thought about doing on my living room wall that are cheep and I like the homemade look.
http://pinterest.com/pin/363384263653066481/ or
http://thecreativecrate.blogspot.com/2011/10/decorating-ideas-using-pallets.html
Good luck!
gayle says
I recommend photos on canvas. You can use just two or three of your favorites and fill the space 🙂
Katie says
I like the idea of an old window or maybe a large mirror.
Alyssa says
A quilt was my first thought. But I like the idea someone had of shelves displaying artwork too. I love the colors you’ve got going!!! And that red hutch is fantastic!!
Kim says
How about a simple large star? I saw stars in your dining room. Another idea: some type of large votive candle holder. You can use ivory color candles to blend. Or change the color of the candles to fit your mood or season. And if you decide to light them, they are far away from Nora!!
Love your site!!!
C Munson says
I saw an article where they used old window shutters to decorate a wall – since you have an old farm house, thought you might like these ideas!
http://inspirationgreen.com/shutter-reuse.html
Denise Z says
What about something like this, from Becky Higgins’ blog? (I’d probably stick to more neutral colors–and maybe the green–in your room)
http://www.beckyhiggins.com/blog/2010/07/secrets-to-a-perfect-grid/
Valerie says
Hey there, not sure if you read A Beautiful Mess, but they posted an idea that might work for you. Elsie had family photos blown up to use as wall art & when I saw your post I instantly thought of this… my descriptive skills are desperately lacking so here’s the link:
http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2012/09/blueprint-copies-of-family-photos-diy-sneak-peek.html
I find huge blank walls so intimidating! Such a big decision. Good luck & happy decorating 🙂
Christine says
Your home is lovely already! For your room, I’m wondering if two things would be helpful. Something ‘more substantial’ on the right side by the hallway door, to balance the green hutch, and your art work centered over the sofa, not too high.
Since you have high ceilings, would a set of 6, square ~ 14 X 14 (maybe 16 X 16) framed fabric pieces or wallpaper in a color set you like? Or if you did a large rectangular fabric like someone else suggested, you could paint on a word or design significant to your family. I’m not a decorator, so, it’s just a thought.
Aya says
I saw a really cool Scrabble names art project on Pinterest http://www.remodelaholic.com/2011/03/scrabble-living-large-family-names-art-project/ that would probably look great on a nice big space like you have. Although I must admit it doesn’t look like it would be the easiest project to whip together…Hope you find something great for your living room!
Andrea says
LOVE this idea Aya! Thanks for sharing — I already have a fun idea for how we can incorporate this into our living room wall 🙂
Linda Bolt says
Command hooks makes these hangers for pictures that you can use, if you do decide to hang photos or something similar. Then you wouldn’t have to put holes in your plaster?
I like the suggestion someone had for a quilt.
Christy says
I suggest command hooks as well or even the command Velcro strips. They work amazingly well!! No holes!!
Beatriz says
For the space above the couch I would say frame a large piece of wallpaper or cloth. Find a piece that calls to you and could be a focal point and then just frame it. That way if you should want to change it out in the future it wasn’t that expensive or you can switch it out for something newer without to much hassle! If you use cloth it could then be used for something else 🙂
Susanne says
Barn quilts are huge around here. You could paint a quilt square on a large piece of wood and use any of the colors in your room. I LOVE barn quilts. I have some smaller ones that my kids and I have done hanging above my mantel!
Shari says
I love the looking of doing a collage with framed fabric. It is inexpensive & can be as big or as small as you want it to be. Plus it is lightweight so you could possibly use altenatives to nails. I have done this for a few people as gifts & always got raves! Personally, I tend to stick to buying a quilting pack b/c they are already coordinated, but I’m sure you could find individual fabrics that would go together beautifully too (you’re good like that 😉 )
Good luck! Happy decorating!
jess says
Love your home!!
I think that it would be really neat to do the same shelving above the couch that you have in your office with the reclaimed lumber and iron brackets but instead of two right on top being the same length maybe you could do two or more with vering lengths and stagger them. And then put up a collage. My sister in law did an awesome collage where she took a photo of her and her husband on thier wedding day and paired it with an old looking clock that had the time set on the time they got married. She also added her thre kids to the display with each having thier own unique clock which was set on their time of delivery. And all this was set around the saying ” A moment in time..”
Any how that’s my two cents worth, hope it gives you some ideas.
Michele says
I had a large wall over my couch as well. I put up shelves from Pottery Barn and displayed pictures and other art work. I can send a picture if you are interested.
Julie says
I think that the issue could be that you would like something not only beautiful, but also useful. My first thought was hanging a quilt, but then I saw others had suggested that so I got to thinking about something useful. How about some type of shelving/bookcase hung on the wall with baskets that could store toys, games etc.? The shelving could also have room for decorative displays, but it would add a lot of storage as well as filling up a wall.
Janet says
I suggest using color, regardless of what you put there. If you use the ladder idea, paint it red! If it is a quilt or wall hanging, which sounds simple and kind of your style, just be sure it isn’t totally neutral, otherwise it wouldn’t need to be there. If you group photos then be sure you have some color ones involved. I enjoy your blog so much, and I look forward to seeing your final decision!
Lisa says
I would do a collage of your own photos. The photos you post on your page here are beautiful. Why pay for art or wall hangings when the center of your home is a great place to reflect upon your family. Photos of Nora, food, fall leaves, anything with personal value in eclectic or interesting photo frames would really make it the heart of the home. This way you could change out the photos or frames over times without having to rematch color or decorating styles.
Rebecca says
Can’t go wrong with a large mirror
Sheri says
I have seen some really cool wall stencils. Check on them. Either a very cool saying, verse or maybe even some kind of art stencil.
Ann says
I saw 2 4-pane windows that were long rectangular (almost like a door but not as big) hung vertically side by side with the word FAMILY going down vertically between them. They put a picture in each window. You could also hang 2 horizontally and put a quote in the middle but the words would have to be smaller. I saved the picture but don’t know how to get it on here. 🙂
Jessica says
My go-to ‘above the sofa’ filler is a gallery wall. We have a different style, though.
Have you seen Toni’s dinning room chalkboard at ‘A Bowl Full of Lemons’? She made it and it’s pretty large…what about that? It could be an inexpensive filler until you find what you really want.
Just an idea 🙂
Joanna Alderson says
I like the simplicity of your decorating style and I think you want to keep that. Therefore all you really need is a large picture – and getting a poster or print from an online print store, then having them laminate it onto a background is the cheapest and most effective solution.
You need to keep your colour scheme in mind and it looks like you’ve already chosen it. The green cupboard is a focal point so that’s your main colour. You also have pink and gold, so go online, check out a print catalogue, and find a print or poster with those colour that your really love. In fact, this is such a very reasonably priced solution that you could splurge and get 2 or 3 and rotate them whenever you want a change.
I worked as a decorator, home stager, and professional organizer during my working career, and I specialized in light, open and airy spaces, so I do know what I am talking about. Hope this helps.
Joanna Alderson says
When you are choosing the colours for your chair slip covers I suggest you chose one of these three main ones that you are already using, and do both chairs in the same colour. I personally would go with the green because it would balance the green in the cupboard.
Julia says
I really think a mirror with a frame you like would be best. Small pictures might drive you nuts because the armoire and basket on top of it are very visually ‘heavy’ – but those objects are large enough that one large piece (specifically a light bouncing mirror) would look light enough to not weigh down the wall visually but still have the necessary heft to balance the armoire.
I’m just very picky about visual space. Don’t mind me.
MeLeah says
I definitely see family portraits!!! Have you seen the pin on Pinterest showing how you can purchase huge engineering drawings (people print off their favorite picture) for cheap? I can see a gorgeous picture of precious Nora, and you could decoupage that onto thin plywood.
I also think a before (maternity) and after (baby arrived!) picture montage would be beautiful! We did that in our living room, and I love it!
Laura says
Something large to take up the space. I won’t tell you what, you have to “find” it. Scour flea markets, garage sales, Salvation Army, etc. you’ll know it when you find it! P.S. thanks for the tip about JCP white bowls!
Nicola says
I would do 3 large 16×20 black and white pics of Nora/family on canvas.
Becky says
Yes! This is exactly what I was thinking!
Ann says
Another idea on the curtain rod to hang a quilt or something else. You could actually hang curtains on it and have an old window frame in the center with pictures/wreathes/quotes, etc in the windows
Cammy@TippyToeDiet says
Oh, how pretty! Even with the higher ceilings, it looks so cozy.
With solid slipcovers, you have wonderful options for pattern in your wall decorations. Here are a couple of general ideas from my pinterest board:
http://pinterest.com/pin/163114817724459408/ (only horizaontal in your case. And less shiny. :))
http://pinterest.com/pin/163114817725173856/
What I like about these is that they’re relatively inexpensive, easily adaptable to decor changes, and lightweight enough that the 3M picture hanging gizmos should hold them. No nail holes!
Whatever you choose, I’m sure it will reflect your warmth and innate sense of style.
Jeanine says
How about a canvas from Red Letter Words with your family’s goals or motto, and then surrounding it with different sized pictures of Nora, your sisters’ weddings, Dave’s brother’s wedding as well as yours, and a nice sized family picture? Simple Mom had a post about her family’s goals on a red letter word print earlier this week. There were lots of good ideas in the comments. Here is a sampling of mine: Be Gracious, Live Simply, Help others to simply live, Do justly, Love mercy, Walk humbly with our God. Also, I would include a clock to signify that time passes quickly, and we should make the time count.
Alternatively, T.J. Maxx Homegoods always has some huge canvas pictures for a good price, but that would be a stop gap measure to me. That is such a great blank space to fill with pictures! Have fun!