Selecting the right artwork for your walls is one of the most impactful decisions you can make when decorating a space. Art has the power to transform a room, adding color, personality, and depth while reflecting your unique style and taste. Whether you are decorating a living room, bedroom, or home office, the artwork you choose can set the tone for the entire room, creating a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere.
However, choosing the right artwork for your walls can be a daunting task. With so many options to consider—from paintings and prints to photographs and sculptures—how do you decide what’s best for each space? In this article, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step process on how to choose the right artwork for your walls, keeping in mind your home’s overall design, size of the space, and your personal style.
1. Understand Your Space and Its Purpose
The first step in choosing artwork is understanding the room you’re decorating. Each space in your home has its own purpose and vibe, and the artwork you select should complement that.
Consider the Function of the Room
- Living Room: The living room is typically where you entertain guests and spend time with family, making it one of the most important areas to decorate. Choose artwork that sets the tone for the room. Large, bold pieces or a gallery wall can serve as a focal point, drawing attention and creating conversation.
- Bedroom: Your bedroom should be a tranquil and restful retreat. Opt for calming and soothing artwork, such as serene landscapes or abstract pieces with muted tones, to help create a peaceful environment. Avoid overly bold or aggressive pieces that might disrupt the room’s sense of relaxation.
- Dining Room: The dining room is a place for gathering, so choose artwork that stimulates conversation and adds elegance. Larger pieces, such as a single statement painting or a set of coordinating prints, can work well here.
- Office or Study: Art in your office should help create an inspiring, motivating, and productive environment. Consider art that makes you feel energized, such as abstract works, inspirational quotes, or even creative photography.
Match the Artwork’s Style to Your Room’s Theme
Ensure the artwork matches the overall style and aesthetic of the room. Whether your space is modern, traditional, bohemian, or minimalist, the art you choose should enhance and harmonize with the existing décor.
- Modern or Contemporary Rooms: Opt for minimalist or abstract art with clean lines and a limited color palette. Black-and-white photography, geometric prints, or digital art works well in this style.
- Traditional or Classic Rooms: Look for classic paintings, oil on canvas works, or vintage prints. Frames made of wood or gold can add to the traditional aesthetic.
- Bohemian Rooms: If your space has a bohemian or eclectic vibe, go for colorful, free-spirited artwork that reflects a sense of wanderlust. Consider ethnic prints, woven tapestries, or hand-painted canvases.
- Minimalist Rooms: Minimalist décor pairs well with simple and clean art, such as monochrome prints, black-and-white photography, or subtle abstract pieces.
2. Consider the Size and Proportions of the Artwork
The size and proportions of the artwork should be appropriate for the wall space. A large piece on a small wall can overwhelm the room, while a small piece on a large wall may look lost.
Choose the Right Size for the Wall
- Large Walls: For larger walls, larger pieces or a gallery wall works best. Consider using a single, oversized piece of art to make a bold statement or create a cohesive look with several smaller pieces arranged together. Aim for artwork that covers about 60-75% of the available wall space to keep the proportions balanced.
- Small Walls: For smaller walls, opt for smaller, framed prints, or group a few pieces together to create a cohesive arrangement. A single piece of art that fits the dimensions of the wall will often look best.
Proper Height for Hanging Artwork
The general rule for hanging artwork is to center it at eye level. For most people, this means hanging the center of the artwork about 57-60 inches from the floor. For larger pieces, you may want to position them slightly lower to create a more balanced look.
- Above Furniture: When hanging art above furniture like a sofa or a dining table, the artwork should be around 6-8 inches above the top of the furniture to ensure it feels connected to the rest of the room.
- Gallery Walls: If you’re creating a gallery wall, make sure the frames are evenly spaced and aligned to avoid creating a cluttered or disjointed look.
3. Think About Color Coordination
Color plays a significant role in how artwork interacts with a room’s design. When choosing art for your walls, consider the existing color palette in the room. You want the artwork to complement, rather than clash with, the room’s tones.
Work with the Room’s Color Scheme
- Neutral Rooms: If your room has neutral walls and furniture, you have the flexibility to experiment with bolder, vibrant artwork. Choose colors that either contrast or harmonize with the room’s tones. Bright, colorful pieces can liven up a neutral room, while soft pastels or muted tones will keep the space calm and serene.
- Matching Tones: If your room has bold colors, try to find artwork that incorporates these tones. You don’t have to match every color exactly, but choose pieces with complementary hues that tie the room’s look together. For example, a deep blue wall may pair beautifully with ocean-inspired artwork that features varying shades of blue, white, and tan.
Color as a Focal Point
- Bold Colors: If you want your artwork to be the focal point of the room, choose pieces with bright, eye-catching colors that will draw attention and create energy in the space.
- Soft and Subtle: For a more calming and subtle effect, choose pieces with neutral or muted colors that blend harmoniously with the surroundings.
4. Mix and Match Styles
While it’s important to ensure that the art complements your room’s aesthetic, don’t be afraid to mix and match different styles of artwork. Combining various types of art can add visual interest, create contrast, and reflect your personality.
Create Visual Contrast
Consider mixing abstract art with more traditional or realistic works to create contrast. Pairing different mediums—such as paintings, prints, and photography—adds depth and visual complexity to the space.
- Modern and Classic: Combine a traditional landscape painting with modern abstract prints to blend two styles in a harmonious way.
- Photography and Paintings: The contrast between black-and-white photography and colorful paintings or illustrations can add drama to the room.
Maintain a Sense of Cohesion
While mixing styles, it’s important to maintain a sense of cohesion. This can be achieved by choosing a common theme or color palette that ties the different artworks together. Even if the styles vary, having a unifying element will ensure that the space feels curated rather than chaotic.
- Thematic Consistency: Choose artwork with a common theme, such as nature, architecture, or vintage-inspired pieces. This creates harmony, even if the mediums or colors vary.
5. Frame Your Artwork for Maximum Impact
The way you frame your artwork can make a big difference in how it looks in the room. Frames not only protect the art but also add to its overall aesthetic. When selecting frames, consider the style and color of the frame as well as how it complements the artwork and surrounding décor.
Choose the Right Frame Style
- Minimalist Frames: For modern or minimalist spaces, choose simple, thin frames made from wood, metal, or acrylic. A clean frame helps the artwork stand out without distracting from the image.
- Ornate Frames: For more traditional or vintage-inspired rooms, ornate frames in gold, silver, or dark wood can add elegance and grandeur.
- Custom Framing: If your artwork is an unusual size or shape, consider custom framing. A custom frame ensures that the piece is properly fitted and complements the design of your space.
Frame Color
- Neutral Frames: Choose neutral-colored frames like black, white, or natural wood to ensure that the artwork takes center stage. Neutral frames are versatile and work well in almost any room.
- Bold Frames: If you want the frame to stand out and be a statement piece, go for a bold color or material, such as metallic gold, deep mahogany, or colorful painted frames.
6. Consider the Scale and Shape of Your Artwork
The scale and shape of the artwork you choose should suit the space in which it will be displayed. While a large, dramatic painting can work as a focal point in a living room, smaller, more intimate pieces are better suited for bedrooms or hallways.
Large vs. Small Art
- Large Art: Large-scale paintings or prints make a bold statement and are ideal for big walls, like those in living rooms, dining rooms, or above the fireplace. They can add drama and depth to the room.
- Small Art: Smaller pieces of art work well in tight spaces or when arranged in a gallery wall. A series of small, complementary pieces can create a cohesive look without overwhelming the room.
Shape and Arrangement
- Symmetrical: If you prefer a more traditional or formal look, arrange your artwork symmetrically, with pieces evenly spaced and aligned.
- Asymmetrical: For a more modern or eclectic vibe, opt for an asymmetrical arrangement. This works well with multiple pieces in varying sizes and frames, creating a dynamic and interesting display.
7. Don’t Forget About Lighting
Once you’ve selected and arranged your artwork, proper lighting is key to showcasing it in its best light. The right lighting will highlight the colors, textures, and details of the artwork, making it stand out and enhancing its visual impact.
Use Picture Lights
Install a picture light directly above or below the artwork. These specialized lights provide targeted, even illumination without causing glare or shadows.
Accent Lighting
If you’re working with multiple pieces, use accent lighting, such as spotlights or track lighting, to highlight individual pieces. Ensure that the light is soft and not too harsh, as it can damage the artwork over time.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right artwork for your walls is an exciting opportunity to express your personality and create a space that feels uniquely yours. By considering the style, scale, color, and frame of your artwork, you can enhance the décor of any room, from living rooms to bedrooms and home offices. Remember to take your time, mix and match different styles, and focus on creating a cohesive look that works for both you and your space. With the right approach, the artwork you choose will not only complete your décor but also elevate your home’s overall ambiance.