The empty area above a sofa is ideal for a fantastic work of art. Unfortunately, it’s only comparable to the space above a mantel. However, determining what type of art should be hung can be challenging.
While most people choose the traditional method of hanging a single painting or photograph above a sofa, there are many possibilities for displaying something above a couch. So think beyond the box and include something you enjoy.
Artwork
A single piece of artwork is the most popular thing to put on a sofa, but the impact will be modest if the artwork is plain. On the other hand, a bold item that virtually pops off the wall is the way to go if you want to create an eye-catching focal point away from your cozy leather sofa.
Try anything with a considerable size, a bright color, or a visually appealing design. In the end, the adjective “bold” is free to interpretation, but the objective is that when someone walks into a room, their gaze is drawn to the piece because it is so striking.
Wall Gallery
One piece isn’t always sufficient. This is when gallery walls come to the rescue. A photo gallery can help you make a powerful statement without requiring you to choose just one piece.
When hanging pieces to make a gallery wall, keep in mind that they will all function as one unit. The display’s focal point should be at eye level. It’s always a good idea to set out a display like this before you start hanging anything.
Place the pieces in front of the wall on the ground and experiment with the arrangement until you find one you like. If you don’t have enough room, graph paper will suffice.
Macrame Wall
A knotted cloth, macrame, has been making a comeback in recent years. Macrame, which was popular in the 1970s, resurfaced in the late 2010s as planters, earrings, table runners, and wall hangings. Pieces might be enormous and elaborate or little and straightforward enough to be done by hand.
A macrame wall hanging behind the sofa would be an excellent focal point for someone with a colorful living room; the knotted product would offer a lovely focal point, but the neutral-colored thread won’t add any conflicting colors to the space. If you choose a macrame hanging with a bright ombré fringe, it can also add a splash of color.
Use one huge one above a sofa as a fashionable focal point, or group a few smaller ones for a more dramatic effect.
Mirrors
Mirrors are useful ornamental items. They reflect light, open up areas, and make rooms appear larger and more spacious in general. A huge mirror can be put above a sofa, but keep in mind that mirrors should be hung across from windows or something else visually appealing wherever possible.
Hanging a giant mirror over a sofa just because there’s an empty area isn’t a good idea. Make sure it goes with the rest of the decor in the room. However, you can create a gallery effect by hanging a series of small mirrors above a sofa. When determining where to put them, approach them like any other photo wall and think about the frames’ size, shape, and quality.
Shelves
As homes become smaller, storage becomes more crucial, and individuals begin to showcase their trinkets and treasures in every available place. Shelving over a sofa can be a terrific method to solve a storage problem while uniquely displaying your accessories. Floating shelves, as well as shelves with beautiful brackets, are excellent choices. Ensure that they’re appropriately placed (straight into a stud) so that they don’t fall on anyone seated on the couch.
Hang shelves at eye level or the center of a grouping if you’re doing a collection. You can either place the shelves at the center over your sofa or position them asymmetrically. For a more diverse aesthetic, combine shelves with additional sconces and artwork.
Sculpture
Hanging sculptures made of unusual materials and shapes might be perfect for generating one-of-a-kind looks. Of course, the term sculpture is broad, but it simply refers to anything that isn’t a definitive work of art (i.e., painting or photograph).
Faux antlers, ceramic plates, and punched metal sculptures are just a few examples. The trick is to search for pieces with little depth, so they don’t take too much room over the sofa.
Maps
Maps are an excellent way to give a room a sense of history. They’re also fantastic for paying homage to areas you’ve visited or want to visit in the future. You have so many alternatives for decorating with maps: colorful, black and white, sepia-toned, new, vintage, city, country, transit, nautical; the list goes on.
You may get maps from ancient atlases and other books, as well as home decor stores, antique shops, and flea markets. The idea is to select a map that has some importance for you. Maps look best when framed, so if yours doesn’t come with one, get a custom frame manufactured for it.
Bonus Tip:
When hanging anything above a sofa, remember that the most common mistake is turning something too tiny. The item, whatever it is, should be roughly two-thirds the width of the couch (unless you’re going for something deliberately out-of-scale). If you’re hanging a group of pieces, follow the same guidelines. Aside from that, the guide is pretty loose, so be creative and pick something that speaks to you and makes you happy.