If your living room walls feel empty, boring, or unfinished but your budget says “not today” you’re in the right place. Decorating doesn’t have to be expensive, and you definitely don’t need an interior designer to make your space look stylish. With a mix of cheap decorating ideas for living room walls, smart IKEA choices, and simple DIY upgrades, you can transform your room into a cozy, modern, and personality-filled space.
In this guide, you’ll discover affordable IKEA hacks, renter-friendly tips, and DIY wall décor ideas that look high-end without the high price. Whether you have a small living room, a large blank wall behind the sofa, or a tight apartment layout, these ideas will help you decorate beautifully on any budget.
Before You Start: Budget, Style, and Wall Planning
Before running to IKEA or grabbing a paintbrush, spend a few minutes planning. This step may feel small, but it ensures your wall decor looks intentional instead of random and saves you from impulse buying decor that doesn’t match your space.
Set a reasonable budget
For wall decor, you can plan budgets like:
- Under $30: printable art, DIY paint shapes, fairy lights, small IKEA frames
- Under $50: gallery wall, floating shelves, a mirror cluster
- Under $100: shelves + lighting combo, large framed art, accent wall + shelves
Knowing your spending limit helps you choose between IKEA items, DIY options, or a mix of both.
Choose your style direction
Consider your living room’s existing furniture and color palette. IKEA pieces work great with:
- Scandinavian minimalism
- Neutral + cozy
- Contemporary
- Boho patterns and natural textures
- Small apartment modern styles
Deciding this early makes shopping and DIY projects much easier.
Measure your main wall areas
Take photos of:
- Wall behind your sofa
- Side walls
- Entry-view wall
- TV wall
These spots often deliver the biggest design impact especially on a low budget.
Cheap IKEA Wall Décor Ideas for Living Rooms
IKEA is one of the best places to find cheap decorating ideas for living room walls, because their products are affordable, modern, and super DIY-friendly. Below are the most effective ways to upgrade your walls using IKEA items with easy hacks included.
Use Affordable IKEA Wall Art, Posters and Frames
IKEA’s poster and frame section is a goldmine for budget decorators. Their frames come in multiple sizes, neutral colors, and very low prices, making them perfect for gallery walls or single statement pieces.
How to use IKEA frames creatively:
- Buy one large hero print to anchor your sofa wall
- Or create a simple 3-frame grid (very Scandinavian)
- Mix your own printed artwork with IKEA posters
- Spray paint frames gold, matte black, or beige to match your style
- Print free line artwork, quotes, travel photos, or botanical drawings
This approach looks expensive even though each frame often costs under $10.
DIY twist: print art at home or use free downloadable designs instead of buying prints.
IKEA Shelves as Wall Decor (Storage + Styling)
Floating shelves or picture ledges instantly make a wall feel styled and purposeful. IKEA’s price-friendly options allow you to create curated displays without spending much.
Ideas for shelf-based wall decor:
- Use a long floating shelf above the sofa to display frames, candles, books, and plants
- Create a “shelfie wall”: three small shelves in a vertical stack with varying decor
- Use IKEA’s EKET or LACK shelves as both storage and decoration
- Add dried flowers, a diffuser, or ceramic accents for texture
DIY upgrade ideas:
- Wrap shelves in wood contact paper to give a warm, custom look
- Paint shelves the same color as your wall for a built-in minimalist effect
This gives you style + function in one inexpensive decor solution.
Mirrors and Lighting: Simple IKEA Hacks that Look Expensive
Mirrors are one of the cheapest tricks to make living rooms look larger, brighter, and more open. IKEA mirrors come in sets or individual low-cost pieces, making them ideal for creative layouts.
Try these mirror ideas:
- Cluster 4–6 small mirrors to create a sculptural look
- Mix round mirrors of different sizes for modern vibes
- Place mirrors near windows to reflect natural light
Pair mirrors with budget lighting:
- Add LED strips behind a picture ledge or around the TV wall
- Use wall sconces, small picture lights, or plug-in lamps
- Wrap fairy lights around a wire wall grid for soft ambiance
Lighting instantly elevates even the simplest wall decor.
Easy DIY Wall Decor Projects Anyone Can Do
DIY wall decor is the heart of “cheap decorating ideas for living room walls IKEA DIY.” These projects cost very little yet add personality, uniqueness, and warmth to your home.
DIY Gallery Wall with Photos, Prints & Free Art
A gallery wall is one of the most stylish and budget-friendly ways to fill a blank living room wall.
How to create one:
- Pick a color palette
Black and white, neutral beige, or pastel tones are easiest to match. - Choose your art mix
- Family photos
- Nature prints
- Inspirational quotes
- Free downloadable artwork
- Travel images
- Lay everything out on the floor first
This helps you create balance before drilling or sticking hooks. - Install with removable hooks
Perfect for renters and anyone avoiding holes.
This idea looks designer-made even though it’s extremely cheap.
Paint-Based Ideas: Accent Blocks, Shapes and Mini Murals
If you’re willing to paint even just a little the impact is massive for the price.
Try painting:
- A large rectangle behind your sofa to act as a “framed zone”
- A soft arch shape for a cozy, boho-inspired look
- A half-wall color block to ground your furniture
- Vertical stripes to make your ceilings look taller
Use leftover paint or buy a small tester pot for under $10.
Paint-based wall decor is one of the most high-impact, low-cost upgrades possible.
DIY Textures: Macramé, Fabric, Baskets & Paper Crafts
Texture brings warmth and depth to your living room walls.
Simple DIY ideas include:
- Macramé wall hanging made from cheap cotton cord
- Fabric banners or flags
- Woven baskets arranged in a circular layout
- DIY paper stars, folded geometric shapes, or minimalist origami art
These ideas are lightweight, renter-friendly, and extremely affordable. Most can be done in under an hour and look stylish and handcrafted.
Mixing IKEA Finds with DIY Hacks
The magic happens when you combine low-cost IKEA products with your own simple DIY creativity. This is where your walls go from “nice” to “wow.”
Simple IKEA Hacks for Stylish Wall Features
Try these beginner-friendly hacks:
- Turn IKEA pegboards into an ever-changing art display
- Use IKEA picture ledges to display plants, frames, or mini books
- Attach three round mirrors together to create a sculptural installation
- Wrap LED strips around the back of a shelf for soft lighting
- Use IKEA placemats as textured wall art
All these ideas remain cheap while looking modern and curated.
Turn Everyday IKEA Items into Wall Art
Sometimes the most unexpected objects create the best wall decor.
Ideas:
- Hang a set of woven IKEA placemats as boho wall pieces
- Use cutting boards or wooden trivets as a geometric pattern wall
- Turn baskets upside down and mount them as wall textures
- Convert a lampshade into a sculptural wall light
- Spray paint IKEA coasters and arrange them in a grid
This is budget decorating at its most creative and fun.
Cheap Decorating Tips for Small or Rental Living Rooms
If you’re working with limited space or can’t drill holes, these tips are essential:
- Use removable hooks for frames, shelves, and wall hangings
- Choose vertical layouts to draw the eye upward
- Keep a simple color palette so your walls feel uncluttered
- Add mirrors to open up tight areas
- Use slim picture ledges instead of deep shelves
Small changes make a big difference in small spaces.
Step-by-Step: Plan Your Cheap Wall Makeover in One Weekend
Here’s how to finish your entire wall transformation in just two days.
Day 1 Morning: Plan & Measure
- Pick 1–2 walls to focus on
- Choose your decor style
- Measure widths and heights
- Take photos for reference at IKEA
Day 1 Afternoon: Shop for Budget Pieces
- Visit IKEA for frames, shelves, or mirrors
- Pick up hooks, fairy lights, or LED strips
- Gather paint samples or use leftovers
Day 1 Evening: Prep Your Materials
- Print out artwork
- Lay out your gallery wall on the floor
- Clean your walls and remove dust
Day 2 Morning: Paint or Install
- Paint shapes, an arch, or a color block
- Install shelves or mirrors
- Apply removable hooks
Day 2 Afternoon: Style & Perfect
- Add plants, candles, books, small decor
- Hang frames and adjust spacing
- Add lighting for warm ambience
Within one weekend, your living room walls go from empty to eye-catching.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with cheap decorating ideas, mistakes can ruin the look. Avoid:
- Hanging art too high
- Buying decor without a color or style plan
- Overcrowding the wall
- Ignoring lighting
- Using frames that are too small for large walls
- Mixing too many random colors or materials
Keeping things cohesive is the secret to a stylish, budget-friendly wall.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to buy expensive artwork or designer shelves to create a beautiful living room. With the right combination of IKEA finds, smart DIY projects, and thoughtful planning, you can completely transform your walls on a tiny budget. Whether your goal is cozy, modern, minimalist, or colorful, these cheap decorating ideas for living room walls IKEA DIY will help you express your style affordably and creatively.
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to decorate living room walls?
Printable art, IKEA frames, floating shelves, and DIY paint shapes are the cheapest ways to decorate any living room wall. You can create beautiful decor for under $20–$30.
How do I decorate a big blank wall behind my sofa?
Try a gallery wall, oversized frame, mirror cluster, or a wide floating shelf styled with plants and candles. IKEA ledges are perfect for this.
Which IKEA items are best for cheap wall decor?
IKEA picture ledges, LACK shelves, simple frames, pegboards, mirrors, baskets, and LED strips provide excellent value and flexibility.
How can I make my small living room look bigger with wall decor?
Use mirrors, vertical layouts, lighter colors, and minimal artwork. Avoid clutter and keep decor symmetrical or balanced.