Design 101

10 Ways To Fill the Space Above Your Sofa

October 03, 2024

You have a gorgeous sofa that fits perfectly in its new home. Its color palette and style match your aesthetic, and you can’t wait to sink into it. But something looks a little bland. What can you do to bring warmth and style to the wall space above it? Here are 10 ways to fill the space above your sofa.

What To Hang Above the Sofa?

When decorating above a sofa, it's essential to strike a balance between aesthetics and harmony with the space. A large, statement piece like a framed painting, abstract artwork, or an oversized mirror often works well, anchoring the room while drawing attention to the central seating area. For a more personalized touch, a gallery wall of smaller, well-curated prints, photos, or even a combination of art and objects can create a dynamic focal point. Consider the scale—artwork or decor should be about two-thirds the width of the sofa for visual balance. Floating shelves with plants, books, or sculptures offer versatility and texture, adding depth and interest without overwhelming the space. Keep in mind the color scheme and style of the room to ensure that the decor enhances, rather than competes with, the overall aesthetic.

These 10 ideas for decorating the wall behind your couch will instantly elevate your space.

1. Install Focal-Point Artwork

An oversized clock, map, or art piece is an instant eye-catcher. If you’re more into textile artwork, a large quilt or tapestry might be the ideal wall art. Textiles can bring texture and warmth, and their colors — from earthy neutrals to rich jewel tones — add instant dimension. To make a statement, ensure your art decor is oversized and in proportion with the sofa. Too small and it won't look balanced.

2. Create a Gallery Wall

Gallery walls can be as symmetrical or asymmetrical as you like. You can also frame the prints or opt for canvas prints that run to the edges.

To start, pick about five to seven prints and arrange them behind your couch. Try to get a range of sizes as well. If you prefer, you can arrange them on a living room table or the floor before hanging them on the wall. Gallery walls can be added to and upgraded over time, so you don’t need to rush. Find pieces that speak to you.

3. Put Up a Mirror Gallery

If your living room is full of shadows, bring in a mirror gallery to lighten things up. To get the most effect, hang the mirrors higher than head height (when sitting on the sofa). Mid-wall is a good placement, too, because it helps direct the light without seeming disconnected.

You could line up the mirrors horizontally or create a staggered layout. Either setup draws in plenty of natural lighting. Antique mirrors can also act as unique statement pieces when placed behind your sofa.

4. Hang Three-Print Art

Groups of three bring unique balance to decor, so choose three prints and arrange them horizontally or vertically above the couch. You could pick three identical prints or three closely related ones. For a landscape effect, find or custom order prints that flow from one to the next.

5. Create an Accent Wall

Accent walls — either paint or wallpaper — are popular because they make a statement. Depending on where you’ve placed your sofa, the feature wall could span the length of a living room or focus on one angled wall below the stairs. In either case, the color reaches from edge to edge for dramatic effect.

When choosing a color, pick one that complements some part of the room. It could be your sofa’s primary or secondary hues, your wall sconces’ metal type, or even your curtains’ patterning.

6. Install Floating Shelves

If the wall space above your couch is bare, fill it up with floating shelves. These features add dimension without seeming too heavy or imposing. One shelf that spans at least half the sofa works beautifully. Or, you could add two to three shelves slightly offset from one another.

Another benefit of floating shelves is that you can easily switch out the decor. Whether you like to decorate for different holidays or room themes, these shelves are the perfect blank canvas for your creativity.

7. Add a Sofa Table or Shelf With Accents

Sometimes, you don’t want to hang things on your wall. Or if you’re renting, your landlord might not allow it. An attractive alternative is to place a sofa table or shelf with accents behind your sofa. These tables are about 30 to 34 inches high and match the height of most sofas. If you’re using a sofa table to fill wall space, you’ll want to decorate it with tall decor. If you’re using a shelf, place one that’s tall enough to be functional.

Choose accent pieces in varying heights and arrange them across the table. Mix and match accents like tall lamps, stacks of books, houseplants, and decorative art pieces to give dimension. Odd numbers tend to create more visual interest than paired items.

8. Choose Focal Lighting

To accent your sofa — and the living room — bring in some focal lighting around and behind your couch. There are many types of lighting, from oversized floor lamps to wall sconces to multi-shaped light panels. You could also install wall-mounted track lighting or pendant lights to decorate the space behind your couch.

Some lighting, such as wall sconces, look best in pairings. Others look equally well in pairs or as a single piece. Start with a tall floor lamp with a uniquely shaped shade and add a pair of wall sconces or pendant lights. If you like combining lighting and art, consider light panels. You can arrange them in abstract forms and create a different type of statement piece.

9. Place an Oversized Mirror or Art Piece

To give your living room a whole new ambiance, add an oversized mirror or art piece behind the couch. This feature can make the room feel bigger — especially useful in smaller living rooms.

When choosing the piece, look for colors that match your existing palette. You can also use a mirror or art piece as the focal point and tailor your new furniture or wall paint to its hues. If you’ve found a stunning mirror that’s also quite heavy, consider leaning it against the wall instead.

10. Install a Plant Wall

Plants bring a lot of joy and life into a room. If your floor space is full or you need to keep plants away from pets or small children, try the wall. For a minimalist look, attach wall brackets and hang plants in bud vases or terracotta pots. You could also install a pegboard and hang wire baskets or shelving with plant pots.

If you want to make a different statement, turn the wall behind your couch into a living wall. A pre-built frame with felt pockets makes it easy to add plants. You can also use a self-watering system for low-maintenance beauty. Wherever you put your plant wall, make sure it gets enough direct sunlight.

It's Time To Make a Statement With Wall Decor

Whether adding a print gallery or oversized mirror above the sofa, the right wall decor brings your design theme to whole new heights. Try one or many of these ideas 10 ideas to fill the space above your sofa.

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