Is the sofa in your Airbnb's living room in front of a big blank wall? A blank wall always seems to grow and become more boring once the sofa is positioned in front of it, right? It can be overwhelming knowing what to do with this prominent blank canvas.

But... What if I told you that this is actually the perfect opportunity to inject some style and artistic flair into your short-term rental? There are a lot of different ways to bring that wall to life, and I'm here to help!

Let's break down the options and gather inspiration from some beautiful examples by some amazing designers.

The Gallery Wall

Gallery walls are always fun and can really allow your creativity to soar with the endless options for what to add. They can be a great option if you're sticking to a tight budget as a few small pieces can be less expensive than buying large pieces of art. Plus, you can start with a few pieces and add to or switch out your gallery as you find new artworks that you love.

However, I totally get that the term "endless options" is enough to send many of you into a tizzy of anxiety, and I get it. I am the exact same way without a well thought through plan. Well you could cheat and order one of these ready-curated gallery walls sets from Etsy... I won't tell if you won't. ;)

But otherwise, how about a mini-tutorial?! Let's dive in! First of all...

Color Palette The first thing to consider is your color palette for your overall space. Do you already have a palette in mind? If not, then start with this blog post. Having a tight and consistent color palette for your space will eliminate a lot of stress and give you the start to a road map for your endless decorating selections.

Emily Henderson, aka color play genius, is hands down one of my favorite designers, and I'll reference her work a lot to teach by example. In her design below, she repeats various shades of pink, blue, and yellow in all of the artwork, as well as the sofa and pillows beneath. You also see hints of green, but the color pops are predominately pink, blue and yellow. You'll notice that she uses only white and natural wood frames, which makes this gallery feel cohesive but not too flat. (More on this later!)

 _{image above: Emily Henderson}

Placement After color, you'll need to consider how much of your wall you'd like your collage to take up. Bigger is generally better when it comes to artwork and a gallery wall is no exception. Ideally, you'll want to fill up at least 1/2, or even better, 2/3 of the wall above the sofa at least. 

Think through the overall shape you're going for. Here are a few tips to consider while planning your wall:

1. If you're going for symmetry, be careful about measuring and marking your wall. On the other hand, if you're aiming for an asymmetrical design, don't be afraid to test things in a certain spot by putting a few extra holes in the wall as you go. It's easy to spackle and paint over a small hole, and chances are you may cover it with another frame by the time you're done, anyway!
2. The spacing on an asymmetrical gallery wall does not need to be perfect. It's meant to be a little off, so don't over think things. The inconsistent spacing actually helps your eyes move around and take it all in, so play around with what looks best on your wall.
3. Creating the perfect wall for you may take some time. Have patience! The slower you acquire and collect, the more meaningful and interesting your wall will become. To ensure you're making good purchasing decisions and that everything will go well together, keep photos on your phone of the pieces you currently have. That way when you're strolling an open market on a Saturday with your best friend and you find something you think may work, you can be confident you're making a good decision by referencing your collection. Don't stress, and have fun with it!

_{image above: Studio Gild}

Your gallery can take up the entire wall and have a lot of pieces, or it can be more simple and have some symmetry. It also can go just behind the sofa or go all the way to the ceiling for a feeling of grandeur. Your Airbnb is unique, so let you choice of artwork be unique too!

_{image above: Andrew Beasley Photography}

Framing The living room shown below has an eclectic flare thanks in part to the many different frame styles used on the wall. There are thin modern frames, mixed with a country cream beveled frame, mixed with a very traditional dark wood frame. Don't be afraid to mix and match!

If you're looking for a good online frame resource, here are some of my favorites: Framebridge; Art to Frame; Etsy <---- just one of my go-to Etsy options linked here, but explore the vast Etsy site to fit your needs!

_{image above: Emily Henderson Design // Photography by Tessa Neustadt}

Wallpaper

I love wallpaper. Seriously, just check out my Insta to see how beautifully wallpaper can transform a space. True, it can be an investment. But, it will instantly grab the attention of your potential guests. This will be your home's focal point, and will make you stand out from the crowd when your guests are scrolling through the app looking for the perfect Airbnb. 

I love the look of art layered over wallpaper! It adds depth and interest and makes the art look more grounded and less like it's floating in a large abyss of painted drywall.

_{image above: Sarah Sherman Samuel}

Even without any art, wallpaper has an almost magical ability to transform a space into something completely different than it was before. It gives the room a layer of depth and whimsy that can feel vibrant and alive. I love how the chandelier hangs down over this graphic black and white wall paper below.

Choosing one wallpaper may be more comfortable and less time consuming than choosing several pieces of art and deciding their placement. It's still a big decision though, so make sure and get a sample before you order your rolls!

 _{image above: Becki Owens}

_{image above: Emily Henderson}

Organic Shapes

If you're not inspired by pieces of framed art or wallpaper, then you could explore other forms of art to place on your wall. For example, these woven baskets add a touch of antiquity while pulling the outdoors in. Golden rule: an odd number of items will always be more pleasing to the eye than an even number!

_{image above: Bonnie Miller via Country Living}

Other trendy organic objects to consider: macrame, and tapestries. 

_{image above: MyMacramania} 

Plants are also one of my favorite ways to (literally) add life to a space. They are all different which adds a bit of magic to the room. Think of them as little inexpensive sculptures! Search for unique shelves for your plants like in the image below (shop similar here), or you can hang them. 

Adding live greenery works for any space, any style! Don't be afraid to kill a few along the way. Unintended plant murder is just a part of the journey towards a green thumb!

_{image above: Kaekoo}

Float Your Sofa

Depending on your living room's shape and layout, you could float your sofa in the room. 

_{image above: Anthropologie via HGTV blog}

Placing your furniture in front of your window allows for natural light to spill in on the most used spot -- that comfy sofa. Psst... take a look at this blog if you need a hand choosing that oh so comfy sofa! You can also incorporate fun curtains to add more interest, and intriguing art to the side if you still have some wall space to fill. I adore how Justina Blakeney styled this room: a table behind the sofa full of plants, deep teal curtains to draw your eye out, and a painting on the side that keeps your eye roaming around the room looking for more detail.

_{image above: Justina Blakeney}

A shelf + art behind a floating sofa is a great combination to add height and ground the room with its visual weight. The below example is an excellent use of asymmetry. 

_{image above: Style Eddies Studio}

Floating your sofa in front of a fireplace is always a great idea. Adding art, candlesticks, and cute figurines is a rather easy way to add activity behind the sofa.

_{image above: A Beautiful Mess}

Floating Shelves

Floating shelves above a sofa can be a fun way to add personality and more plants! You could choose one simple larger piece of art, like in the example below, and add shelves to the other side for balance.

_{image above: Chris Love Julia}

A shelf can also be an uncomplicated way to display some cool art. Unlike the gallery wall, it takes less planning and fewer holes in the wall. It's simple and clean-lined for a more contemporary look.

_{image above: Design by New Darlings}

I hope this leaves you feeling a bit more inspired and a lot less overwhelmed. Good luck! And don't forget to tag me on Social Media to let me know how you're doing styling your big blank walls! 

Cheering you on all the way! XO