Ideas for How to Decorate a Wall Behind the Sofa

Color

• Draw the eye to the sofa by adding a punch of color to the wall behind it. Painting the wall a different color than the rest of the walls in the room is an easy way to draw attention to this area. Either select a color that complements the colors in the rest of the room, or opt for one that contrasts to make a bold statement. Instead of using paint to add color to this space, hang wallpaper. In addition to bringing color to the wall behind the couch, wallpaper also adds texture. Pick a type of wallpaper that works with the design of the room -- monochromatic stripes in a contemporary space or wavy blue lines in a beach-inspired room, for example.

Shelves

• Decorate the wall behind the sofa with shelves. While shelves serve as a surface for you to display decorative items, they also add visual interest to the space. Hang shelves that coordinate with the style of the room -- natural wood shelves for a rustic design or dark wood shelves with ornamental brackets for a traditional space, for instance. Experiment with different positions to create a look interests you -- a vertical column, a horizontal row or an off-set placement, for example. Once you figure out an arrangement that you like, display accessories on the shelves.

Pictures

• Pictures are often used to decorate the wall behind a sofa, as the eye is naturally drawn to the images. There several options to consider if you intend on using pictures to decorate this wall. You can hang a single, yet large, picture directly above the center of the sofa. Choose three or four different pictures and arrange them in a row or column, or hang them so that they create a shape, like a triangle, square or rectangle. Another option is to hang different sizes and shapes of pictures in a haphazard manner, creating a collage effect.

Unexpected Artwork

• Use unexpected elements to decorate the wall behind the sofa. A collection of plates or baskets hung in a uniform or random arrangement will create an eye-catching display. A piece of drift wood, an iron gate, old shutters or even an old window frame can be hung on the wall, creating an unexpected, yet striking, look for the space. Mirrors are another element that you can use as artwork behind the sofa. Hang a single, large, decorative mirror, three or four mirrors of the same size, or different types of mirrors in a random arrangement.