Here are some creative above the couch décor ideas for a variety of design styles & layouts.
When you enter a living room, you often look for seating areas first, which means the space above your couch is the perfect place to showcase your creativity and personality.
Artwork
If your artwork is large enough to span the width of your couch, chose your two favorite pieces, have them matted and framed in the same color and style, and hang them above your couch. This looks stylish regardless of placement, but especially when your couch is flanked by two windows. Read more about how high to hang pictures here.
Adding decor elements that tie in the artwork is another way to realize a cohesive living room design. This can be done using accent pillows, throws, area rugs and plants to name a few.
Decor Arrangement
Even books can become art when given the right treatment. A row of 5 matted and framed books, a group of 9, in rows of 3, or a collage of old covers large enough to span the area above the sofa are all great ideas for a book display. You can also keep it sophisticated and grown up by matting book prints with white mats and using black frames. Hang pendant lamps above the artwork for extra lighting and punch.
Table Lamps & End Tables
Wall Mirrors
Shelf Racks for Decor
Floating Shelves
One way to spice this up is to position the shelving directly above the couch. Use a group of 4 shelves, two the length of the couch, and two about half that length, arranged to have the two longest at top and bottom and two shortest in the middle make for a great base. Place a tall vase filled with long-stemmed greenery nearby for added affect. This will fill the space not occupied by the shorter shelves and is unexpected and lovely to look at.
Picture Ledges for Photos & Decor
Pale woods, ceramics, woven materials, and brushed metals are all great frame choices. For a super graphic punch, use all black and white photography and artwork, mat them in white, and place them in black frames. It is a bold, modern look and will become the main focal point in your space.
The couch most often faces the TV and you should consider your decorating around the TV as well as above the couch. When designing your living room, place yourself in someone else’s home. When you enter their living space, where do your eyes travel first? More than likely you are looking for where you might sit, and that often means the couch.
Along with the type of couch itself, the wall above the couch are usually the first thing people will really see when they enter your living room space. It is an important part of the living room and a great place to showcase some of your beloved personal items and really let your personality shine through good design.