Wall Art Ideas: What to Hang on a Wall?

• Gavin Whitaker
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• May 2
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• wall art

Ever stare at a blank wall and wonder what the heck to hang on it? You’re not alone. An empty wall can feel like wasted space, but with the right piece—or mix of pieces—it turns into a vibe setter for the whole room. Artwork is the obvious go-to, but not just any random print will do the trick. Getting it right means thinking about colors, scale, and even your favorite memories.

A cool trick: before you start hammering nails, use painter’s tape to mark out sizes and layouts right on the wall. This saves you a mess and helps you figure out if your picks actually work together. Don’t get stuck thinking you need to drop serious cash, either. I've seen thrift-store paintings transform a space like magic. And if designer art feels out of reach, check out online print shops for budget options that don’t look cheap.

• Classic and Modern Art Choices
• Personal Touches: Photos and Memorabilia
• Functional Decor: Mirrors and Shelves
• Gallery Walls and Mixing Styles

Classic and Modern Art Choices

Picking wall art kind of sets the mood for your place. If you lean traditional, framed oil paintings, black-and-white photos, or classic prints (think Van Gogh or Monet) always pull a room together. Canvas prints of well-known pieces still top the list for living rooms and bedrooms, and you don’t need a museum budget to get them—reproductions are everywhere, and most look awesome once you hang and frame them well.

Now, if you’re more into modern stuff, abstract art is an easy win. It’s bold and brings in energy, especially in rooms that feel a little flat. Street art prints, simple line drawings, and geometric shapes are trending big time, and surprisingly, they mix well with classic pieces if you want to shake things up. Fun fact—a study from the National Endowment for the Arts found that more than half of US households display some form of modern or abstract art at home. No shock really since they go with everything from mid-century furniture to minimalist setups.

Here’s a way to think through your options:

• If your walls are already colorful, look for wall art that has lots of white space or clean lines. It won’t compete for attention.
• In neutral rooms, pick art with bold colors or interesting shapes so it doesn’t just fade in.
• Mixing and matching old-school art and modern prints gives your space personality, but stick to a color theme so it doesn’t get too chaotic.

And size matters—go big on blank spaces. A tiny framed print on a huge wall just looks lost. Most designers suggest your wall art should be about two-thirds the width of whatever sofa or dining table it’s hanging above. So measure first, then shop.

Personal Touches: Photos and Memorabilia

You can’t really go wrong hanging up stuff that matters to you. Family photos and trip snapshots bring more than just color to your walls—they tell your story. Research from the University of Portsmouth even shows that personal photos can boost mood and make spaces feel more like home. Seriously, putting up family or travel shots isn’t just sentimental; it actually changes how happy people feel about where they live.

Don’t just slap a bunch of random photos up and call it a day, though. Here's an easy way to make those memories look intentional:

• Pick a general color scheme for frames (black, white, wood, or matching metal) so it doesn’t end up totally chaotic.
• Stick to a clear theme—vacations, black-and-white family portraits, goofy pet pics, or milestones like graduations.
• Try grid layouts for a clean, modern vibe or go with a loose salon style if you want it to look relaxed.
• Mix in wall art prints or small objects between photos, like ticket stubs or postcards, to add interest.

If you want to kick things up a notch, shadow boxes are a solid choice. Tuck memorabilia like concert passes, medals, or even a favorite childhood toy inside—these items get conversation started and make your walls unique. Floating shelves are another way to blend framed photos with little objects, awards, or collectibles so it’s not just images everywhere.

Worried about punching too many holes in the wall? Use adhesive hooks or ledges that don’t need screws. And if you rent, mega bonus: they won’t mess up your walls. About 65% of renters in the US use removable mounts, according to a Home Decor Industry report in 2023, so you’re definitely not alone.

There’s no wrong answer here. The best home decor is personal, so hang what tells your story, not just what fills the space.

Functional Decor: Mirrors and Shelves

If you’re stuck trying to fill wall space, mirrors and shelves pull double duty: they look good and do something useful. Mirrors don’t just show your face in the morning—they bounce light around, making rooms look way bigger and brighter. No joke, a big mirror across from a window can make a small room look nearly twice its size. Real estate agents even use this trick when showing off apartments.

You don’t have to stop at one style, either. Round mirrors with thin frames give off a modern feel; chunkier, vintage ones add some old-school charm. Placement matters too. Hang a mirror at eye level in the entryway so you can check your hair as you walk out. In tighter rooms, group small mirrors together—almost like mirror tiles—to create visual interest without eating up your budget.

Next up: shelves. These aren’t just for books anymore. Floating shelves are a lifesaver in cramped spaces, letting you put up wall art, framed photos, plants, or even tiny speakers. If you’re into minimal looks, go for slim floating shelves in a color that matches your wall. For an industrial vibe, look for shelves with black metal brackets. Pro tip: anchor them to a wall stud, not just drywall, so your collectible mugs or books don’t come crashing down at 2 a.m.

Curious how popular this trend is? Here’s a quick look at how often folks use these functional pieces in their home decor:

Don’t forget, both mirrors and shelves are perfect for renters too. Look for removable wall strips or no-drill mounting systems if you’re worried about making holes. In no time, you’ll have a space that’s not only more stylish but a lot more practical.

Gallery Walls and Mixing Styles

If you want your space to look original and full of personality, try a gallery wall. This isn’t just throwing up random frames—it’s about mixing wall art in a way that looks intentional and cool. Gallery walls are huge in home decor trends because they let you show off all kinds of stuff: framed art, photos, clocks, record sleeves, even hanging planters. No rule says everything has to match.

The trick is to plan before you hang. Lay your pieces out on the floor first; you’ll see if the colors and sizes make sense together. Try to keep a consistent gap between pieces—around 2 inches usually feels balanced. Mixing frame colors and styles works, but tie the look together by using a central color or theme. For example, you might group black-and-white wall displays with a few pops of color spread out evenly.

If you want it to look more casual, try a salon-style layout, where the edges don’t totally line up. If you’re more into order, go for a grid or rows. Here are some steps to get it right:

• Pick your main piece and hang it slightly off-center, then work outwards.
• Mix vertical and horizontal frames so your wall feels balanced, not rigid.
• Throw in other objects—think shelves, baskets, or small mirrors—to break up the pattern.
• Stick paper cutouts on the wall first to check your arrangement before drilling.

Fun fact: According to a 2023 poll by Apartment Therapy, over 60% of people said their gallery wall started with just one or two pieces and grew over time. You don’t need to finish it in a day!

Mixing styles doesn’t mean anything goes. If you have a modern painting next to a vintage poster, connect them with matching mats or similar frame styles. This makes your interior design look intentional, not thrown together.

Here’s a quick look at popular gallery wall approaches:

Don’t worry about finding pricey art for every spot. Mix in kid drawings, postcards, or prints from local markets. Your gallery wall should feel like you, not a boring hotel lobby.