Ideas for Decorating the Wall Behind the Sofa
It is very common to place the sofa against the wall, especially in small living rooms, as it frees up space. Although this solution is the most practical, decorating the wall behind the sofa requires some effort.
Are you short of ideas? To add additional storage space or simply to dress up the wall, here are some design tips to follow.
The Gallery Wall Behind the Sofa Like in a Museum
If you like contemporary or classic art, the wall behind the sofa is the ideal place to display a nice piece of art. For instance, consider a large abstract wall art to cover the entire wall.
This can be difficult to find, especially if you have a convertible corner sofa. In this case, you can choose a diptych or triptych, a photo, or a painting divided into two or three parts.
If you want to change your pictures from time to time, the solution to decorate the wall behind the sofa is to install one or more long, narrow shelves.
You can display your photos, your paintings, or your decorative objects on such shelves. If you carefully choose the pictures and ornaments that will decorate this space, you can give even more character to your decoration.
Have you decided to create a rustic atmosphere? Choose untreated wooden shelves and place aged wooden or cast iron frames on them.
Add vases decorated with dried flowers. If you prefer contemporary decor, frames with simple lines combined with marble accessories or graphic figurines will create a harmonious look.
A Wall of Pictures
The space above the sofa is a top-notch place to create a wall of pictures. If you choose large photos, we recommend limiting their number so as not to overload the space. As we explained above, a diptych or triptych of pieces of the same size will allow you to display your photos seamlessly.
Combine several frames of different sizes to create a graphic ensemble. In this case, opt for a balance between the frames, in the dominant color, or in the theme. For example, you can create a plant herbarium with different shades of green, beige, and black or a set of black-and-white photos with a black frame.
To get your photo composition right, you can get a multi-view frame. These large models can hold more than 10 photos, all while ensuring a balanced layout and an aesthetic ensemble. If you choose this solution for the decoration of the wall behind your sofa, place it in the center.
Optimize the Wall Behind the Sofa
In small spaces, use the wall above the sofa for storage. For example, you can place your sofa in front of an alcove where you have a bookcase, or you can even hang shelves on which to place books. For the latter, you have several options. For example, you can place just one shelf behind the sofa and along its entire length.
Leaving a space of around 12 inches between the ceiling and your bookshelf, you can place books of all sizes. In this case, you can have fun combining formats and arrangements to create an original and cheerful library.
Another possibility for decorating the wall behind your sofa: place three shelves between the top of the back of your sofa and the ceiling. More than a library, this custom-made piece of furniture will allow you to display books, vases, and other decorative objects. This idea can also be achieved with a composition of shelves interspersed at different levels.
Create a Green Wall Behind the Sofa
If you love plants, why not make this space a relaxing and original green wall? To do this, keep the concept of the three shelves behind the sofa, on which you will place your favorite plants.
Don’t hesitate to mix the color and shape of the leaves, and also hanging species to create a varied and fascinating indoor jungle. You can also opt for a combination of smaller wall shelves to display your most precious specimens or place elegant pots with hanging plants.
A Piece of Furniture Behind the Sofa for More Storage
Another option for furnishing the space behind a sofa is to place another piece of furniture. With a console table behind your sofa, you’ll get a new way to personalize the decor of your living room.
The piece of furniture should allow you to reach your lamp for cozy lighting but also to place books, plants, or ornaments that will complete the decoration of the wall behind your sofa.
Models that mix wood and black steel will be perfect for an industrial decor. If you’re a fan of a more contemporary style, you’ll have more options. Gold metal, marble, wood, and even glass: if the design is refined, you can’t go wrong.
If your sofa is not placed against a wall, the option of a piece of furniture behind the sofa is a good idea to organize the space. This way you can place a desk in the room where you spend most of your time. You can also add a low piece of furniture behind your sofa to increase storage and you could decorate the upper part as if it were a console table.
Dare to Use Wallpaper
Wallpaper is ideal for dressing up the wall behind the sofa and is very trendy. With more or less elaborate prints, you can create a jungle atmosphere in your living room, contemporary or exotic, and you can even add elegant metal animal heads or origami for a surreal touch.
Fancy an industrial atmosphere worthy of a New York loft? Nothing simpler than imitation brick cladding. You can complete it with a metal world map and liven it up with wall decorations such as a large industrial clock in black steel.
You don’t have to cover the wall behind the sofa entirely with wallpaper. A couple of rolls of wallpaper in the pattern and color of your choice will help you delimit the space in your living room. Just make sure that the wallpaper covers the entire length of the sofa.
Mirrors Above the Sofa
Hanging mirrors on the wall behind the sofa is a classic that always looks good as they reflect light, enlarge the room, and are especially suitable for small spaces. As with frames, they can be placed alone or in groups; they come in round and rectangular – you can match their style or, on the contrary, mix them up by varying the shapes, colors, and sizes.
To achieve a contemporary decoration, a mirror with a gold steel frame is a must. If you have decorated the living room in a nautical style, a model with shutters or one made of teak or rattan will be perfect. Do you dare to be original? Let yourself be seduced by a sun-shaped mirror inspired by oriental architecture, covered in feathers, or with a woven sea rush frame.
