HUGE wall?!?!?

11 years ago

I have this HUGE 16ft wall. I have no idea what to do? The only think i can think of is wainscoting or a collage of some sort? Even a large piece of art seems small on this wall.... :-/

Also be honest, do i have too much color going on? and too much junk on the table? Its stuff from the old house i felt like i needed o use, but sadly i think my taste has changed....

Featured Answer

Brenda

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

Love the architecture in your room -- the fireplace wall is stunning.

But you are right -- that large empty wall is begging for something. I vote for BIG art. Here are some examples to inspire you

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Comments (180)

RuthSings
11 years ago
How about an art quilt? They come in all sizes (any size you want if it's custom), shapes (rectangles are just the start), styles (traditional to modern to sci-fi futuristic) and compositions (cotton fabric to paper to found objects, stones and metal).
sarah_1015
11 years ago
I think maybe if you had some kind of really substantial looking cabinet or bookcase or something that would anchor the rest of the pieces in the room, it would help, instead of trying to fill it with lots of wall stuff.
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Lots of ideas....couldn't resist adding my two cents. i copied your photos and did a little cut and paste- it's messy, but hopefully gets the main idea across. i'd put your sofa in front of the large book case, chair by the fireplace, tv on the stand on the wall opposite the fireplace - so you can either look at the fire or the tv. Someone suggested using frames of one color for your photos - an inexpensive way to do that would be to spray paint them all a dark color-black goes with everything. Since your shelves are a medium tone wood, display things that are dark or light so that they contrast against the wood. Limiting your display items pallette to a few values usually helps to unify things. (I think that's why so many people want to paint the shelves or put inserts in the back to help your nice things read more clearly...some get lost). If you want to "splurge" -you may consider having a carpenter make a few solid tall cabinet doors to provide a visual break in the shelving. I'm showing 3 doors - 1 on the right side of the fireplace and 2 on the left to leave two open vertical shelves for display on each side - with things arranged to frame the fireplace as the focal point. To add some height to your big vases, consider stacking some books beneath them. Enjoy experimenting untill you get something you're happy with - good luck!
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leelee
11 years ago
Your furniture and decorating looks like a normal room. I see many suggestions that would probably take you way out of your comfort zone...maybe you're ready to go there or maybe you just want to do something like what you'd do if the ceiling was just a normal height. Are you ready for iridescent neon or just a nice painting? It's good to think out of the box but are you going to add something so far out that it makes the rest of your room look wrong?
PRO
JWinteriors
11 years ago
A few visual ideas for wall
bonnieth
11 years ago
I like your colors. Just a pic over the sofa would be good.
stargoodhand
11 years ago
Would put stone on the wall as a feature wall
User
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
This style is very mod, but really interesting.

Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse · More Info

The way the abstract envelopes the space creates an intimacy.

The method might be adapted to a more traditional setting with neutrals (thinking slate and rocks maybe).
Beth Bourque
11 years ago
You don't have too much color. You're fine in that area. You problem is exactly as you've stated: too much wall. I agree that artwork over the sofa is what is needed. Even a couple of staggered shelves would work. Maybe a huge clockface? An arrangement of treasured photos?
Jeannie Nguyen
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I totally have this same issue right now. I suggest you try and find a color scheme you want to stick with and find art/wall decor that match your theme.
nina47
11 years ago
Your room is quite a generous size and the high ceiling makes it appear even bigger. I'd put the furniture further apart or even think about buying a longer sofa, larger coffee table and bigger lamps for the side tables and the console. The proportions of the room don't work properly if there are too many small items cramped together in quite a large space. One large picture on the wall behind the sofa would look good.
Molly Johnson
11 years ago
We found a beautiful rug that had the colors we liked, had a frame built, painted white to match our trim and let about 6" border to act as a mat between the frame and the rug and it is beautiful on the wall. Fills the space and everyone comments on it...
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Art Gems
11 years ago
We sell art prints and I'm suggesting instead, a large tapestry/rug/quilt hanging over the couch and something I have not seen anyone mention here --unless I missed it-- a rolling ladder access library. Such libraries have lower cabinets at floor level with shelves to the ceiling often with a walk balcony. My brother-in-law has this with a very high ceiling and it is very impressive. If you like this idea let me know and I will take a photo of his and upload here. "The library" also provides a place for your favorite collectibles which you can mix with the books and the top of the lower cabinets can provide office/media space if desired. The cabinets themselves provide hidden storage of all sorts. Again let me know if you wish to see a photo
Janet
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Art Gems
11 years ago
Hi Lisa, Do you want me to upload a photo or did you find examples of this on Houzz?
User
11 years ago
That is a good idea.........a photo would be good for others too with similar difficult areas.
PRO
Mural Art - Wall Murals and Custom Paintings
11 years ago
A unique sized wall is perfect for a unique mural. It would become the focal point to your room and home. If you want to add WOW, then add a professionally painted mural. NO MURAL STICKERS OR DECALS... they look tacky! Good Luck with the project.
lisamattheis
Original Author
11 years ago
HELLO friends!!! Thank you again for all the wonderful comments!!! I went ahead and purchased the mirror in the first and second picture! It is 5ft x 7.5ft! I am soooooo excited! I plan to hang pics on the side, like the third picture i have posted. I plan to frame vintage sheet music. I am still looking, but plan to get a rug, some pillows and curtains. I took the bird pictures down so looking for something new there.... Whoooohooo!!!!!!
Robin Beiermeister
11 years ago
I would change coffee table to a large round glass topped table to lighten up all the angles in the room. You sure got a lot of advice! The mirror looks really cool and architectural, should be a great choice. I like the antique sheet music idea, too. If that doesn't work out, some oversized sconces on either side of the mirror would do (same effect as the floor lamps in the picture above).
Carolina
11 years ago
Gorgeous mirror!
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Effortless Chic
11 years ago
this room is stunning and I love the huge wall. This wall needs not one but a few pieces of art , gallery style. I would not put any bookshelves on this wall, they would cut the visual space horizontally and the big wall effect would be lost completely. I would not add any black to this room as it has enough grays going on already.
I would put a few large pantings or photographs on the big wall, hang simple off white or very pale yellow curtains floor to ceiling to ground the windows, and get new lamp shade and a few pillows in mustard yellow. The room should come to life.
Bixa Orellana
11 years ago
There are some super ideas here, although admittedly I haven't read through all of them.

The one comment I'd like to make is that I think you'd see the space differently if you didn't have your furniture so squared off. Why not try pulling everything off to the side, then experiment with placing the sofa on an angle in different parts of the room? If you find a spot that seems promising, you can start placing the other larger pieces in relationship to the sofa.
I have to admit right here that I'm always opposed to having the tv in the living room, but realize I'm in the minority, plus sometimes there is no other option. Anyway, if you can keep from making it the focal point of the room, you'll open up a bunch of furniture placement options. I think the very square furniture placement is putting emphasis on the wall as a big blank space, whereas different placement would make you see it as a dramatic feature you're lucky to have. Rearranging your (very nice!) furniture will also make you think of different ways to use lamps, pillows, etc., perhaps even pulling things from other parts of the house that you'd not seen as living room items previously.
Good luck!
anniebird
11 years ago
Whew - I didn't read all the comments, so perhaps this suggestion is redundant....how about a large scale wallpaper covering that wall? I also thought about a wallpaper mural, though it might be hard to make that work in such a large and irregular space. Post pictures of your "after" - it will be fun to see how you meet this challenge:)
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CMR Interiors & Design Consultations Inc.
11 years ago
How about wood modern paneling. Love this stuff and saw on I want this the other night. I think it's gorgeous.

http://www.stikwood.com/collections/stikwood
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Art Gems
11 years ago
I will upload a photo over the weekend of the rolling ladder, balcony library wall--just hang in there!
Margaret Kottelenberg
10 years ago
How about something like this?
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Holly Pippet
10 years ago
I love the idea of wallpaper, or something like the above pics. Something with impact while maintaining that open feel. I like an area that is a little open. It feels more expensive.
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Art Gems
10 years ago
Sorry my DSL was done over the weekend but here are now the photos. I think your library would be more dramatic due to your larger room and wall. I hope now you find the giant wall an asset rather than a design liability. I will attach photos to this and following comment as 4 is the limit.
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Art Gems
10 years ago
Here come the other two. Let me know what you think!
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Art Gems
10 years ago
Hope my first sentence in first upload made some sense, a hornet was in the room!
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User
10 years ago
You can make your home more Artistic.I hope this can help you to make your home more beautiful. Weclome to my site: Outletarts .com
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Studio Arterie
10 years ago
we love huge walls :) please, have a quick look at our site, we have artistic murals exactly for this purpose, custom printed to measure for your walls..
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Angelina Vick
10 years ago
Lisa..could you show pics of what you chose to go with?
Donna Read
10 years ago
I would put stacked stone there with a huge mirror to reflect the light. Simple and easy!!!
Kira Meeker
10 years ago
I would swap the placement of the chair and the love seat. I don't love the combination of the two paintings and the chair fabric. Beautiful home!
yellowkorner
10 years ago
As an option,if you are still looking for idea's on large Art to make a statement on the wall, have a look at this 40 by 70 inches black & white as an option away from color too-
Donna Petraglia
10 years ago
My daughter has 15' ceilings (and, of course, walls) in her master bedroom. They got a very grand ceiling fan to fill in the space and it looks great. The have this one with an extension rod. Of course, it fits their decor though.
hnks
10 years ago
Liza, I love the idea of the mirror and arrangements on both sides. I have a very similar dilemma and I like your idea a lot. I will start exploring it. Can you please tell me where did you get that mirror from. Thanks and have fun!
Peter Hoyt
10 years ago
I think this is much to large of a space to put photographs, unless it's a big collage and the photos themselves are large and printed on canvases. Otherwise, I would suggest using this as a place to showcase some really great art.
Adrianne
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
add demension with book cases..
Make sure furniture is gathered together in the center and not against the walls.

Check out the height and width on this one from Restoration Hardware:
http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod2481151&categoryId=cat1970012

Do a thick crown mold all around the room at 9' or 10 ' but not above the stairs.
On the wall above the stairs do a collection of framed pictures.

Don't do crown mold on the wall with the window. However on the wall with the window add curtains. Hang the rod as high as you can go can and make sure when they are fully open they can be pushed out wide enough to show the frame.

Match the handrail to the bookcases!!

Mott House Terra Bella Village · More Info

Definite WOW factor!
Kristen Heimstra
10 years ago
Something like this might look nice!

Sixteen Doors · More Info
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范祥龙
10 years ago
so ， look nice……I like it！
lisamattheis
Original Author
10 years ago
Hnks: I bought the mirror from restoration hardware. It is beautiful. Now I am trying to decide what I will put around it. I was thinking framed vintage sheet music, or perhaps large framed art work in a collage. My husband think we should do a collage of mirrors! BTW houzzers, I took all of your ideas in to consideration. So many great ideas. I moved my furniture around as suggested. I will have to upload a new pic!
lisamattheis
Original Author
10 years ago
P.s
still going to replace bird pics
Looking for floor lamp(s)
Collage idea around mirror
Possibly replacing flower chair
Window treatments

LOL that's a lot. But we just built the house and have been in only 7 months. I am working with old things. Slowly replacing and adding! Thanks again everyone!!!!!
Carolina
10 years ago
Gorgeous mirror!
lisamattheis
Original Author
10 years ago
Angelina Vick! I am doing the ceiling medallion idea in my bedroom!!! LOVE the idea!!! thank you!!!!!
Mary N
10 years ago
Lisa, I love the accent chair. I've been searching for something like that. Where did you get it?
lisamattheis
Original Author
10 years ago
Maria, I actually found it at HomeGoods!
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Angelina Vick
10 years ago
You are very welcome. =D I am glad I came across that idea to be able to show it to you.

Thanks for the updated photos. I think your furniture arrangement is working much better now. That mirror is impressive, it's so big it looks like a portal doorway to another universe.

Depending on how wild you want to go...you could do what both of you want. Art and mirrors. It could work. I have seen eclectic mixes like that work. Building it up slowly like a flower arrangement...placing each piece right where it fits.
Mary N
10 years ago
Love the mirror. Awesome!
PRO
Elliott Mattice
6 years ago
Part of the problem is that you seriously need larger scale items of height for the space. Try a few tall floor lamps, and maybe a series of vertical paintings of differeing heights that work with or against the angle of the ceiling. Tall indoor plants like bamboo would help make the room more comfortable visually.
PRO
User
6 years ago
As others mentioned- keep the focus on the lower 8'. I would like to see a large piece of art, and possibly a tall plant to the left of the sofa.

Color- it's not too much, but it's unbalanced and out of place. The chair and art are clustered in one spot and have no connection to the rest of the space. Work to distribute the color evenly through the space and it will come to life.