Decorating a small living room can feel like a challenge. You want your space to look stylish and inviting, but you also need to be mindful of not overwhelming it with bulky decor. That’s where DIY wall decor comes to the rescue! By creating your own personalized and clever wall art, you can transform even the smallest living rooms into stylish havens without sacrificing precious floor space. Plus, it’s budget-friendly, which makes it a win-win for anyone looking to make a big impact without spending a fortune.
In this article, we’ll explore DIY wall decor ideas for small living rooms that will maximize your space, bring in your personality, and create a cozy atmosphere. We’ll use highly optimized keywords for SEO, ensuring that this article stands out as your go-to guide for decorating a small living room with DIY charm. Let’s dive into these creative and space-saving solutions!
1. Maximize Vertical Space with Floating Shelves
One of the best ways to add decor without cluttering your small living room is by using vertical space. Floating shelves are a fantastic option because they give you the opportunity to showcase artwork, plants, or personal mementos without taking up any floor space.
DIY Idea: Create Your Own Floating Shelves
Floating shelves are easy to make and can be customized to fit your style and space. You can use reclaimed wood for a rustic feel, or paint them in a sleek matte finish for a more modern look.
Materials Needed:
- Wooden planks (cut to size)
- L-brackets or invisible shelf brackets
- Drill
- Screws
- Paint or wood stain (optional)
Steps:
- Measure your wall space to determine where you want the shelves to go.
- Cut your wooden planks to the desired length.
- Attach the L-brackets or invisible shelf brackets to the wall.
- Place your wooden shelf on top of the brackets and secure it with screws.
- Style the shelves with small picture frames, potted plants, or decorative objects.
Engagement Tip: Do you prefer a minimalistic look, or are you someone who likes to display all your knick-knacks? Floating shelves are great for either, depending on how you style them! Share how you would style yours below!
2. Use Mirrors to Create the Illusion of Space
Small living rooms can sometimes feel cramped or dark. A well-placed mirror can instantly make your room feel larger and brighter by reflecting light and giving the illusion of more space.
DIY Idea: Build Your Own Geometric Mirror Wall Art
Instead of just hanging a standard mirror, why not make it a statement piece? You can create a DIY geometric mirror wall art that adds both function and style.
Materials Needed:
- Small hexagonal or circular mirrors (found at craft stores or online)
- Adhesive mounting squares or double-sided tape
- Cardboard or wooden backing (optional)
- Paint for the backing (optional)
Steps:
- Arrange the mirrors in a pattern on the floor until you achieve a design you love. Hexagonal mirrors work well for a honeycomb pattern, while circular mirrors can create a dynamic cluster.
- Paint your cardboard or wooden backing if you want to add a pop of color.
- Attach the mirrors to the backing using adhesive mounting squares or double-sided tape.
- Secure the entire piece to your wall, or hang the mirrors directly for a more organic look.
Pro Tip: Position your mirrors opposite a window to maximize the natural light in your small living room!
Engagement Tip: Do you have a dark corner in your living room that needs brightening? Consider adding a mirror in that spot. Where would you place your mirror wall art? Let me know!
3. DIY Gallery Wall for Small Spaces
A gallery wall can seem intimidating in a small living room, but with a little creativity, it can work beautifully. By mixing and matching different types of art and photos in various sizes, you can create a visually appealing focal point that doesn’t overwhelm the room.
DIY Idea: Mini Gallery Wall with Custom Frames
To make sure your gallery wall fits the scale of your small living room, stick with smaller frames and create a cohesive look by using a consistent color palette for your art.
Materials Needed:
- Small picture frames (varying sizes, but nothing too large)
- Photos, postcards, or small prints
- Painter’s tape
- Nails and a hammer
Steps:
- Gather small art prints, personal photos, or even postcards that reflect your personality.
- Arrange the frames on the floor first to plan the layout. Play around with spacing and alignment until it feels balanced.
- Use painter’s tape on the wall to mark where each frame will go.
- Hang the frames in their designated spots using nails and a hammer.
- Step back and admire your personalized gallery wall!
Pro Tip: Choose lightweight frames and consider using command strips instead of nails to avoid putting holes in the walls—especially useful for renters.
Engagement Tip: What type of art would you include in your gallery wall? Family photos, travel memories, or abstract art? I’d love to hear about your vision for your mini gallery wall!
4. DIY Hanging Planters for Living Room Walls
Plants are a great way to add life and color to your living room, but when floor space is tight, it can be tricky to find room for them. That’s where wall-mounted planters come in. Not only do they save space, but they also add a fresh, natural element to your decor.
DIY Idea: Create Your Own Hanging Wall Planters
Making your own hanging planters is easier than you might think, and they can add a beautiful organic touch to your small living room.
Materials Needed:
- Small pots or mason jars
- Macramé cord or twine
- Wall hooks or adhesive hooks
Steps:
- Measure the height where you’d like the planters to hang and install your wall hooks.
- Create macramé hangers by cutting equal lengths of cord or twine, tying knots to form a cradle for each pot or jar. (There are many tutorials online to guide you.)
- Place small potted plants, such as succulents or air plants, into the hangers.
- Hang the planters on your wall hooks and enjoy your new green decor.
Pro Tip: Opt for low-maintenance plants if you’re short on time for plant care. Air plants and succulents are perfect choices for small living spaces.
Engagement Tip: Are you a plant lover? What types of plants do you think would thrive in your living room? Share your green thumb secrets with me!
5. Incorporate Removable Wallpaper or Wall Decals
If you’re renting or prefer not to commit to permanent changes, removable wallpaper or wall decals are a fantastic option for adding style to your small living room. These peel-and-stick products come in a variety of patterns, allowing you to change up your decor whenever you want without damaging your walls.
DIY Idea: Create an Accent Wall with Removable Wallpaper
An accent wall is an easy way to inject personality into your small living room without overwhelming the space. Choose a pattern that complements your existing decor or adds a pop of color.
Materials Needed:
- Removable wallpaper or wall decals
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Squeegee (for smoothing)
Steps:
- Measure the wall where you want to apply the wallpaper to ensure you have enough material.
- Peel and stick the wallpaper starting from the top, smoothing out any bubbles as you go.
- Trim any excess wallpaper with scissors.
- Sit back and admire your stylish new accent wall!
Pro Tip: Choose light-colored or minimal patterns for smaller rooms to avoid making the space feel busy.
Engagement Tip: Have you ever tried removable wallpaper or decals before? It’s a renter’s dream! Let me know if you’re thinking about adding some to your space, and what pattern you’re considering!
6. Personalized Wooden Signs or Word Art
Adding a bit of personalized decor to your living room can make the space feel uniquely yours. Word art and wooden signs are perfect for small spaces because they’re thin and lightweight, meaning they won’t add bulk to your walls.
DIY Idea: Make a Rustic Wooden Sign
Whether you want to display a favorite quote, your family name, or a special message, a DIY wooden sign adds a touch of rustic charm to any small living room.
Materials Needed:
- Wooden plank or pallet wood
- Sandpaper
- Paint or stain
- Stencils or freehand paintbrush
- Picture hanging hardware
Steps:
- Sand down your wooden plank to create a smooth surface.
- Apply paint or stain to the wood, depending on the look you’re going for (whitewash for shabby chic, dark stain for rustic, etc.).
- Once the paint is dry, use stencils or freehand a meaningful phrase or word onto the sign.
- Attach picture hanging hardware to the back and mount your sign on the wall.
Pro Tip: Personalize your wooden sign with meaningful quotes or messages that make your living room feel cozy and inviting.
Engagement Tip: If you were to make a custom wooden sign, what would it say? Would you go for something inspirational, or a playful family motto? Let’s hear your ideas!
7. DIY Tapestry Wall Art
When working with a small living room, it’s all about thinking vertically. A tapestry or wall hanging can add visual interest without taking up much space. Tapestries bring texture and warmth to the room, making it feel cozy and inviting.
DIY Idea: Create Your Own Macramé Tapestry
Making a macramé tapestry is easier than it looks and can become the focal point of your small living room.
Materials Needed:
- Macramé cord
- Wooden dowel or driftwood
- Scissors
- Macramé pattern (optional)
Steps:
- Cut equal lengths of macramé cord and attach them to your wooden dowel or driftwood using a lark’s head knot.
- Follow a macramé pattern to create intricate knots and designs, or experiment with your own design.
- Once finished, hang your macramé tapestry on the wall for a beautiful, handmade touch.
Pro Tip: Choose a neutral-colored macramé cord for a timeless look, or go bold with colored threads for a statement piece.
Engagement Tip: Macramé is all the rage these days! Have you ever tried making a macramé wall hanging, or is it something you’d love to learn? Let me know how crafty you’re feeling!
Final Thoughts
Decorating a small living room doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. With these creative DIY wall decor ideas, you can add personality, warmth, and function to your space without overwhelming it. Whether it’s adding floating shelves, creating a gallery wall, or hanging plants, these projects will give your living room a fresh, unique look.
Engagement Tip: Which of these DIY wall decor ideas speaks to you the most? I’d love to know how you plan to make the most of your small living room space! Let’s get creative together and share our favorite DIY projects!