11 Accessories That Will Make Your Walls Look Cluttered

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Walls are a blank canvas waiting to be filled with personality and just like with any art project, it’s easy to go overboard. While you want your space to be cozy and personalized, you don’t want too many accessories to make your walls look chaotic in no time. Less truly is more sometimes, and cluttered walls can make a room feel smaller, busier and more difficult to relax in.

If you’re wondering why your space feels a little too ‘busy’, you might be looking at the cause hanging right in front of you. Now let’s take a look at some of the most common wall accessories that often push the line from tasteful to cluttered.

Too Many Picture Frames

While everyone loves photos of friends and family or trips we’ve taken, too many frames in a small space can make your walls look too crowded. If you have mismatched frames of different sizes and styles, a wall will quickly go from being a wall to being visual chaos. Swap it out for a more purposeful gallery wall, or switch up the ones you have on display every so often.

Bulky Wall Clocks

Physical Alarm Clocks — Image Credit: Shawn Stutzman/pexels

A big clock can be a statement piece, but if it’s too big or too ornate, it can take over the room. If your wall clock is getting in the way, it’s time to rethink it. A sleek, simple clock without towering over the space will keep things stylish.

Multiple Shelves

Books on Shelves — Photo Credit: Huỳnh Đạt/Pexels

Trendy and practical, floating shelves can get cluttered, especially when they’re packed with knick knacks on every shelf. What started as a cool display of your favorite items can become a catch all for random things in a hurry if you’re not careful. Keep a few well curated shelves, and leave some empty wall space for breathing room.

Excessive Wall Art

While art is a great way to add character to your walls, too many prints, posters, or paintings will make things feel messy. It becomes hard to appreciate any of them when every inch of the wall is covered, and none of the pieces stand out from one another. Give some of those pieces the space to shine and pick a few pieces that really speak to you.

Large Tapestries

Tapestries can lend warmth and texture to a room, but in a small room an outsized one is apt to overwhelm the space. A tapestry that covers most of the wall or which extends into the decor will make the room feel as if it is being swallowed. If you want something smaller, textile art or fabric panels are also an option that don’t take up the whole space and give you the same vibe.

Collections of Small Items

18 Stunning Living Room Inspirations for Your Dream Home Decor — Image Credit: Heather B/Pexels

Even if it’s hanging tiny mirrors, plates or decorative trinkets, having too many small items on the wall can make it feel cluttered and cramped. They can be individually charming, but in a mass of many, they can be distracting. Try to put smaller items in one area and leave the rest of the wall free.

Decorative Wall Hooks

Wall hooks are great for hanging jackets or bags, but too many decorative ones can make your entryway or living room look cluttered if you’re hanging something from each one. A hook or two is okay, but don’t let them overtake your walls like an overflowing coat rack.

Corkboards and Pinboards

A Woman Pinning a Cut-out on a Corkboard — Photo Credit: Pexels

It’s great for organizing notes, photos and reminders, but once it’s filled with papers, ticket stubs and random reminders they can make the wall look a mess. If your corkboard is more of a distraction than a help, it’s time to declutter and stick to the essentials—or move it to a less central spot.

String Lights Everywhere

Close Up Photo of Brown String Lights — Image Credit: Dzenina Lukac/ Pexels

String lights are great at creating a warm, cozy glow in a room, but when they’re hung anywhere and everywhere across the walls, they look more like tangled wires than anything else. A few well placed lights are charming, but when your whole room is draped in twinkling bulbs, it feels a little too festive for everyday life.

Large Decorative Letters or Words

A decorative letter or word such as ‘HOME’ or ‘LOVE’ can make a nice statement, but if you cover your wall with oversized letters or word pieces, it can quickly become too much. The bigger the letters, the more space they consume, so there’s no room for anything else. One or two meaningful words will do, and you don’t have to spell everything out.

Wall Decals Gone Wild

A room can be made fun by wall decals, but your wall can become a giant sticker book if there are too many designs. While a well placed or even single decal can be impactful, decorating an entire wall with them can make the space feel cluttered and chaotic if the decals themselves don’t sync with the rest of the room’s vibe.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.