How To Select The Right Wall Decor
By: Gabriella King
Published on: December 1, 2025
One of the finishing touches in any home is its wall décor.
Not only does it help unify the overall aesthetic with the furniture, but it can also give a space its own soul.
Additionally, adding elements to the walls can help reduce echoing, especially in homes with very high ceilings.
There are countless elements that can make up wall décor: traditional paintings or prints, wall-mounted lights, shelves, mirrors, clocks, instruments, and more.
Increasingly, companies are offering wall sculptures in various formats, such as masks, jute plates, and even panels of reclaimed wood.
With such a vast pool of options, selecting the right décor can feel overwhelming.
Here is a guide to help you choose the best wall decorations for your home:
1. Understand your space
The first step in selecting any addition to your home is gaining a true understanding of the space you’re working with. Study your wall heights, the scale of your furniture, your room’s colour palette, and how natural and artificial lighting interact throughout the day.
Consider the architectural features of the room as well:
- Are the walls broken up by windows or doors?
- Do you have long, uninterrupted wall surfaces?
These details will determine the size, number, and type of pieces that will feel balanced in the space.
Large walls can handle oversized artworks, gallery arrangements, or sculptural installations, whereas smaller walls may require only one or two focused pieces.
Understanding the proportions of your room ensures that your décor becomes an integral part of the design rather than an overpowering or underwhelming afterthought.
2. Identify your style
Once you understand the physical qualities of your space, shift your attention to the emotional side of design, and your personal style. Think about how you want the room to feel:
- Calm and serene?
- Bold and expressive?
- Modern and minimal?
- Eclectic and energetic?
Wall art plays a major role in expressing personality. For example, abstract art may introduce a sense of modern sophistication, while botanical prints can soften a space with a more natural feel.
Instruments or cultural artifacts can express passions or heritage. Consider the imagery, textures, and colours that resonate with you and reflect your lifestyle, interests, or memories.
When the wall décor aligns with your identity, the room becomes much more than a decorated space, it is a reflection of who you are.
3. Maintain a consistent theme
After defining your style, ensure that the pieces you select work together harmoniously.
Cohesiveness does not mean everything must match perfectly, but there should be a clear thread connecting your choices. This can be achieved through colour families, complementary textures, recurring materials, or shared themes such as nature, travel, music, geometry, or minimalism.
A consistent theme creates visual order and prevents the room from feeling cluttered or chaotic. It also makes the décor feel intentional, as though every piece was chosen with care.
When wall sculptures, framed artworks, decorative shelves, and functional elements relate to each other, the entire room feels thoughtfully curated and comfortable.
4. Balance symmetry and asymmetry
Balanced design doesn’t always mean perfectly mirrored arrangements.
In fact, combining symmetrical and asymmetrical compositions often produces the most visually appealing results. Symmetry provides a sense of structure, stability, and calmness which is perfect over sofas, beds, or dining areas, while asymmetry allows for movement, originality, and creative expression.
For example, you might pair a large central artwork with a grouping of smaller pieces arranged organically around it. Or you could create symmetry by placing matching sconces on either side of an artwork but soften the look by adding organic shapes or textured elements nearby.
Playing with both approaches prevents the space from feeling too rigid or too disorderly, striking the perfect visual balance.
5. Add personal touches
Personal elements are often what transform a house into a home.
These can include framed photos, pieces collected during travels, family heirlooms, handwritten notes, or even children’s artwork displayed with pride. Such items bring warmth and authenticity to the décor, reminding you daily of cherished memories and life experiences.
As a designer, I always encourage clients to include something meaningful in their wall décor. These pieces don’t have to dominate the room, they simply need to exist harmoniously within the composition. When incorporated thoughtfully, personal touches enrich the emotional landscape of a home far more than any mass-produced décor item.
In one of my recent projects, a client was a musician with several guitars on floor stands. Rather than hiding them away or leaving them scattered, I integrated the instruments into the design by selecting different wall mounts that both displayed and protected them. The guitars became an eye-catching feature of the home and beautiful to look at, whilst fully functional.
This is a perfect example of how personal items can elevate a room’s décor while celebrating a client’s passions.