What can I put on my living room wall? Explore our 10 ideas
If you're asking what can I put on my living room wall, a mirror is one of the most useful answers, but knowing how to choose a mirror for a room matters more than the mirror itself. Much mirror advice is either feng shui commentary or a product listing, and the practical question of size relative to the furniture below rarely gets answered. This guide shares 10 ideas for your living room wall, then explains how to choose a mirror for a room: size, shape, placement and when a lit mirror makes sense.
Key Takeaways
- Size a mirror to about two-thirds to three-quarters of the furniture below it.
- Choose a shape for its effect: round softens, vertical adds height, horizontal adds width.
- Place a mirror where it reflects light or a pleasant view, not clutter.
- Lit mirrors are a functional choice for makeup and grooming.
- A mirror is one of the best things to put on a living room wall in a dark room.
What Can I Put on My Living Room Wall? 10 Ideas
| Idea | Why it works |
|---|---|
| 1. A large mirror | Bounces light and adds depth |
| 2. One oversized canvas | Fills a big wall simply |
| 3. A gallery wall | Personal and collected |
| 4. Floating shelves | Display and storage in one |
| 5. A wall-mounted planter rack | Greenery without floor space |
| 6. A woven or macramé hanging | Texture and softness |
| 7. Trailing artificial vines | Natural shape, no watering |
| 8. A painted arch or colour block | Colour without buying anything |
| 9. Plug-in wall sconces | Light and decor together |
| 10. A picture ledge | Swap art without new holes |
For the rules on sizing and spacing any of these, see our guide to living room wall decor ideas. The rest of this guide focuses on the first idea: choosing a mirror.
How to Choose a Mirror for a Room: Size
Size is one of the decisions people most often get wrong. Size a mirror relative to what's below it, not to the wall.
| Where | Width | Hanging height |
|---|---|---|
| Above a console or sideboard | About two-thirds to three-quarters of the furniture's width | Bottom 15 to 25 cm above the top |
| Above a sofa | About two-thirds of the sofa's width | Bottom 15 to 25 cm above the sofa back |
| Above a mantel | No wider than the mantel shelf | Leave room above for breathing space |
| Above a bathroom sink | No wider than the vanity or basin unit | Centre at roughly eye level |
| Full-length mirror | At least 120 cm tall, ideally 150 cm or more | Lets you see yourself head to toe |
| Entryway mirror | Big enough to see your head and shoulders | Centre near eye level |
On an open wall
Where there's no furniture below, centre a mirror at about 145 cm (57 in) from the floor, and choose a size that fills roughly 60 to 75 percent of that section of wall. A mirror that's too small on a large living room wall looks lost.
Choosing a Mirror Shape by Effect
| Shape | Effect | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Round | Softens straight lines; feels relaxed | Above square or rectangular furniture |
| Vertical rectangle | Adds height | Narrow walls, low ceilings, hallways |
| Horizontal rectangle | Adds width | Above long sideboards and sofas |
| Oval | Classic and gentle | Hallways and above smaller consoles |
| Arched | Adds an architectural feel | Plain walls with no features |
| Irregular or sunburst | A statement focal point | A single feature wall |
Matching shape to furniture
Contrast often works best. A round mirror above a rectangular console table breaks up the straight lines, while a rectangular mirror above a curved or rounded piece adds structure.
Where to Place a Mirror
- Opposite a window: reflects daylight deep into the room.
- Next to a window: catches the view and side light.
- At the end of a narrow room: makes it feel longer.
- Above a console table: doubles the depth of a hallway.
- Avoid: reflecting clutter, a blank wall or a TV screen.
Check the reflection first
Before you hang a mirror, have someone hold it in place while you stand where you'll usually see it. Check what it reflects from the sofa and the doorway, not just from in front of it.
Frames and Finishes
Repeat a finish already in the room. A wooden frame suits natural and Scandinavian rooms, black metal suits modern and industrial spaces, gold or brass adds warmth to traditional rooms, and a frameless mirror keeps a small room feeling minimal. Woven and natural-fibre frames add texture to boho and coastal schemes.
Lit and LED Mirrors
Lit mirrors are a separate, functional category. They're for makeup, shaving and grooming rather than decoration, so judge them on light quality.
- Adjustable colour temperature: warm, neutral and cool settings let you match daylight or evening light.
- Even front lighting: light around the edge of the mirror reduces shadows on the face.
- Accurate colour: a high colour-rendering rating (CRI 90 or above) shows skin tones and makeup more accurately.
- A dimmer: useful in bedrooms.
- Bathroom suitability: look for a moisture rating such as IP44 and an anti-fog feature.
- Magnification: helpful for detailed makeup.
Mirrors Room by Room
- Living room: one large mirror above a sofa, console or mantel, sized to the furniture.
- Hallway: a vertical or oval mirror above a slim console, or a large one at the end of the hall.
- Bedroom: a full-length mirror on a wardrobe door or leaning against a wall, secured at the top.
- Bathroom: a mirror no wider than the vanity, with a moisture-resistant back.
- Dining room: a mirror opposite a window doubles the light at mealtimes.
Hanging a Mirror Safely
Mirrors are usually heavier than framed art of the same size. Check the weight before you start, use two fixing points rather than one, and choose wall anchors suited to your wall type and the mirror's weight. Leaning a mirror on the floor still needs a fixing at the top to stop it tipping. Renters can find lighter, no-drill options in our rental-friendly decorating guide.
Mirror Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing a mirror too small for the furniture below.
- Hanging it too high above a console or sofa.
- Placing it where it reflects clutter.
- Skipping wall anchors for a heavy mirror.
- Using lots of small mirrors instead of one well-sized piece.
With these rules, how to choose a mirror for a room becomes a matter of measuring first and shopping second. For more on small spaces, see our guide on how to make a small room look bigger.
Mirrors From Global Swanky
Browse more in our Home Decor collection.
1. Round Decorative Wall Mirror
The Round Decorative Wall Mirror starts at $144.19, in 35 cm and 60 cm rounds, a 35 by 43 cm option and a 27 by 54 cm style. The 60 cm round suits a console table about 80 to 90 cm wide.
2. Retro Classical Oval Mirror
The Retro Classical Oval Mirror is $45.83, a vintage-style oval for hallways and smaller consoles.
3. Wall-Mounted LED Makeup Mirror with Dual-Sided Magnification
The Wall-Mounted LED Makeup Mirror is $46.15, a lit, wall-mounted mirror with magnification on both sides for makeup and grooming.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size mirror should go above a console?
Choose a mirror about two-thirds to three-quarters of the console's width, and hang it with the bottom edge 15 to 25 cm above the tabletop, so the mirror and table read as one unit.
Round vs rectangular mirror: which should I choose?
A round mirror softens a room full of straight lines and suits rectangular furniture. A vertical rectangle adds height, and a horizontal one adds width. Choose the shape for the effect you want.
Where should a mirror go for good feng shui?
Feng shui traditions vary, but many practitioners avoid placing a mirror directly facing the front door or the bed. From a practical design point of view, place mirrors where they reflect light or a pleasant view.
What makes a decorative wall mirror work?
The right size relative to the furniture below, a shape that suits the room, a frame finish that repeats other materials in the room, and a placement that reflects something worth seeing.
Is an LED mirror good for a bedroom?
It can be, if you'll use it for makeup or grooming. Look for adjustable colour temperature, even front lighting and a dimmer. For purely decorative use, a framed mirror lit by a nearby lamp is usually enough.