The reason the gallery wall you have now looks messy is because you have too many small items, so it's reading cluttered. You need larger items and frames. They're also spaced too far apart.

I'd remove everything and leave it blank though. Not every wall needs to be decorated, and I agree that on a stairwell there is a safety issue.

Is there any reason the sectional is so very close to the TV? Move it back

Either paint the handrailing black or white and create a more cohesive gallery of frames like this below.

I agree with the suggestions to remove everything and live with the blank space. It is so true that not every wall needs to have something hung on it.

Single wall art piece.

Lead the person's eye up the stairs with related wall art or wall sculpture/objects..... For example, a large object on the triangular wall, then two more of nearly equal size on the landing side walls and another at the top of the stairs....

I did this with my collection of conical woven Asian hats, but you could do the same with artwork or enlarged photos 16x20 size of the same subject matter: animals, candid pics of your pets, favorite vacation spot, (aerial shots over an ocean?)

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ETA-.

Can you post pics of the stairway. What does the observer see as they climb the stairs?

I'd put a single piece of art there - something that is there because it has meaning for you, not to fill up space. If you don't have something you live and want to see every day, leave it empty.

Thank you so much for replying! I’m posting more pics here just in case.

• the plantation shutters are being installed this month, so what’s current is not permanent.
• I was thinking about painting the handrails black- thanks for that!!
• the house layout is totally open, so we put the couch where the stairs start, bc there is a hallway it would block otherwise.

I have no clue what I’m doing and I’m sure you can tell. We’ve remodeled this house entirely, but im clueless on what to do after walls and floors.

I’m definitely going to do what everyone suggests. I’m so open to receiving all the help I can get. I’ve looked for someone I could even pay to tell me what to do.. the online apps just don’t get me and it never works with my style.
I’m rather simple and clean, yet somewhat cozy. I struggle with certain things bc I have a family that wants comfort and accessibility. Hence the couch and blankets and dog beds galore.

You don't need near that much space behind the sofa. 36" is plenty for walk space, so move it back three or four planks.

Remove the word art over the door. No reason to draw the eye up there.

If you want to do a gallery wall on the stair, it needs to be better arranged. But frankly, a single good sized canvas would look better, less clutter-y, there.

The way you have the single chair positioned by the stair wall makes the room look more like a theater than a cozy, family space. I like chairs and sofas to either face each other or be at no more than a 90° angle. You could do that if you replaced the entertainment center with a console and hung the TV on the wall on an articulating arm.

The reason it looks cluttered is because it's disorganized. The standard distance between items in a grouping is 3 inches or LESS. That sounds really shocking, but if done correctly it looks really good. Try to line up some edges and create groups instead of a cluster.

You have a lot of good advice here. I'm sure you'll find a good option.

Your home should reflect the folks that live in it, not some random store buyer's idea of decor. You've got dogs and a family. Surely, you have some great candid photos of both together. Enlarge them to poster size 16x20 and frame them. Doggie first came home? Doggies first kiss? Doggie long tongue kissing child. I suggest Walgreems as they have specials in their photo dept, but use any photo shop. Print them as black and white.

This chart can help with TV/sofa placement. Looks to me like you have a tendency toward clutter, with the top of the kitchen cabs and the counters resembling what you don't like about the gallery on the stairwell. Removing all of it and living with it for a while will help you get a handle on what is decorative and what is just filling space. Try LED lighting under to stay looking good. Less is more and simplicity is freeing.

Truly, I said 'oh no'.... cause your word art I think expresses your own view, and without curtains there it added something imo. Your stairway grouping wasn't so bad. But I wouldn't paint railing dark to add a contrast to an area that doesn't seem to need it - I'd try a wood stain like the floor, etc....

It does feel (and is) cluttered! Why I’m reaching out. I have anxiety over it and most of the stuff was given to me because I’m Afraid to buy something and hate it too

If you're going to do a gallery wall, keep your items tight in an arrangement with balance and movement.

Don't buy anything until you try the simple route first. Remove the stairwell gallery and the stuff on top of your kitchen cabs. Try clearing the countertops a bit. How many pets do you feed? Can they eat together and stay friends? Organize one pet feeding/watering station outside the living area if possible. I see three huge bowls in the floor and they are a trip hazard as well as being unsightly if your furry friends don't eat every bite. Address the clutter in your TV center as well. Try 1/3 books, 1/3 larger decor items and 1/3 open space in the shelves.

I believe “things” give many people comfort, but only to find the things take over. I recommend you go through the l.r., kitchen and all adjacent areas and take away anything you don’t LOVE. Don’t worry about anything else until you have purged that which has no meaning. That will become your new starting point. It’s nothing more than my opinion. Wishing you luck.

I moved your sofa back, sold your entertainment center on craigslist, and squared up the chair so you could have a conversation with this cartoon guy if he could actually talk.

Oh yeah, I removed the word art from over the door. (All without disturbing the dog.)

You could do with less dark brown furniture, BTW. It's too heavy looking for this room.

I love the mock up and I’m going to do those changes. You all have been so helpful. It’s a relief to be told to get rid of instead of buy. On it!

Not having an entertainment center means not having so many spaces to fill up with stuff.

Hi, me again. If you don't want to nail up the wall - you could try removing frame at very right. Then remove shelf at the top, and one more...