We sometimes include affiliate links and curated AI content to highlight top design styles.
Decorating your walls is a great way to show off your personal style, but it’s easy to leave them feeling unfinished. Even though they offer a lot of space to work with, many people end up making common mistakes that can make a room feel incomplete. From choosing the wrong colors to missing out on some great design opportunities, we’ll point out the mistakes that could be holding your space back and give you tips on how to fix them.
Leaving Walls Completely Blank
Blank walls can make a room feel bare and unfinished, lacking personality and warmth. A completely empty wall can create a sense of imbalance in the room. Add thoughtful artwork, shelves, or decorative pieces to bring the wall to life and complete the space.
Hanging Art Too High or Too Low
Hanging artwork too high or too low can throw off the room’s visual balance, leaving it feeling incomplete. The incorrect placement of art disrupts the overall aesthetic and can make the space feel awkward. Hang art at eye level or consider the proportions of the wall to ensure proper placement.
Using Art That’s Too Large for the Wall
Oversized artwork can overwhelm a small wall, making the room feel cramped and unfinished. A piece that’s too large for the space can dominate the wall and leave the room feeling disorganized. Choose artwork that fits the proportions of the wall to maintain balance and harmony in the room.
Ignoring Scale and Proportion
Using decor that doesn’t match the scale of the room or wall can make the space feel out of balance and unfinished. Inconsistent proportions create a lack of cohesion in the design. Ensure that the size of your wall decor complements the room’s scale to create a polished look.
Not Considering the Room’s Color Scheme
When wall decor clashes with the room’s existing color palette, it can create a discordant and unfinished feel. Poor color coordination disrupts the flow of the space and takes away from its overall design. Select wall decor that complements or enhances the room’s color scheme for a harmonious look.
Overcrowding Walls with Too Much Decor
Too much decor on the walls can make a space feel cluttered and unfinished. An overcrowded wall creates chaos and distracts from the key features of the room. Limit wall decor to a few carefully chosen pieces that work together for a cohesive, uncluttered look.
Relying Solely on Mass-Produced Art
Using only mass-produced art can leave a room feeling generic and unfinished. These pieces lack the uniqueness that helps a space feel personalized and complete. Mix in one-of-a-kind or custom pieces to add character and individuality to your walls.
Not Adding Frames to Artwork
Unframed artwork can appear unfinished, making the room feel like it’s still in the process of being styled. Without frames, artwork often blends into the wall and lacks definition. Frame your artwork to give it structure and to create a more polished, finished look.
Not Utilizing Mirrors Effectively
Not using mirrors or using them improperly can leave a room feeling flat and unfinished. Mirrors can create depth and light in a room, but if placed incorrectly, they fail to enhance the space. Use mirrors strategically to reflect light, create balance, and make the room feel more complete.
Ignoring Vertical Space
Neglecting vertical space can leave a wall feeling incomplete and unbalanced. Focusing only on the horizontal can cause the room to feel stagnant and unfinished. Utilize the full height of the wall with vertical artwork or shelves to create a more dynamic, complete space.
Clashing Styles and Themes
Clashing styles or themes in wall decor can make the room feel incoherent and unfinished. When the decor doesn’t align with the room’s aesthetic, it disrupts the overall flow. Stick to a cohesive theme or mix styles in a balanced way to keep the space feeling curated and complete.
Skipping Personalized Elements
Without personal touches, such as family photos or custom artwork, the room can feel impersonal and unfinished. A lack of personalization can make the space feel sterile and lifeless. Incorporate personal elements into your wall decor to make the room feel more inviting and fully realized.
Leaving the Space Above Your Fireplace Empty
An empty space above the fireplace can make the room feel incomplete and unbalanced. The fireplace is a focal point, and leaving the area above it bare detracts from its potential. Consider adding artwork, a mirror, or shelves to this space to complete the look and draw attention to the fireplace.
Overlooking Wall Lighting
Neglecting wall lighting can leave your decor looking flat and unfinished, as lighting plays a key role in bringing art and design elements to life. Without proper lighting, your wall decor can appear hidden or overshadowed. Add sconces or picture lights to highlight key pieces and enhance the overall ambiance of the room.
Neglecting to Update Seasonal Decor
Leaving seasonal decor unchanged can make a space feel stagnant and unfinished over time. Without updates, the room may look out of place or less vibrant as seasons change. Regularly refresh wall decor to reflect the season, ensuring the space feels current and fully styled.
