Living Room - Wall Pictures & Ornaments, how many is too many?!

[guessagain]

So we have a largish living room, say 19ft long by around 10ft wide. There isn’t a central focal point as such as no stand out chimney breast, just an electric fire (no surround) with a makeshift wooden shelf.

While I like to have a few things on the walls, photos, pictures, DH prefers the minimalistic look, it if was left to him, there wouldn’t be hardly anything, tbh, I’m surprised I’ve managed to get away with what I have so far! Although, he does, admittedly like it.

Anyway, at the moment we have 2 photos of the children together, 2 abstract pics together a clock and some shaped shelving on the walls. There’s the shelf on top of the electric fire & I have a very small sideboard with a couple of pieces on (photos of children)

I’m not one for too much either, I know if it starts to look too cluttered and I pair it back.

So, I’m wondering how many pics, photos do people have on there walls, along with shelving?

I’ve just bought two large abstract prints that I really like but I’m finding it hard to place them, I think something will have to come down and DH likes things as they are.

I think Im bored with the decor, but at the same time I do like it. The kids photos in the frames (on shelf & sideboard) are different sizes and don’t match. It’s never bothered me before but I’m thinking do I need them & can they be moved somewhere else!

We do have a ‘gallery wall’ as such in the hallway with kids photos so it’s not like we won’t have any photos of the kids.

I have a restriction on kids/family photos, they go in the hall (gallery wall) & a few in the bedrooms.

The other rooms have art, prints etc. I prefer a bit more rather than a feeble attempt. So my living room has 2 alcove built ins framing the fire place, mirror above & a few ornaments on the shelves, mantle.

A big print on one wall, 2 on another & then a smaller one.

We don't like lots of family photos about and definitely not on the walls (we have a few in frames on a shelf and window sill in the kitchen and a couple on the dressing table in our bedroom), but otherwise do like lots of art/decorative items about.

In the main living room (a bit larger than yours, OP) we have approximately fifteen pieces of art on the walls, two mirrors and lots of items that mean something to us/we've collected over a number of years on the mantle shelf, sideboard and side table.

In the hallway we have a gallery wall of framed bird prints (between thirty and forty) going up the stairs and elsewhere we have lots of art, mirrors and collected stuff 😆

Fortunately, both DH and I like a more maximalist look 😉

I agree with @snapsieplopp that - if done well - more looks better than less.....

snapsieplopp - I’d love to have alcoves!

Hebeee - sounds amazing!

I think I know what my problem is - I’m torn - on one hand I want to go full out, I adore all the full on ‘busy’ looking pics you see in IG yet at the same time, I like the less look as well! I’m going to have a play about today. Maybe keep the children’s photos to the hallway/ stairs & arty prints to the living room.