How to choose the perfect artwork for your home


Art helps to create a home’s soul, showcases your personality and defines the personality of the space. Whatever your style, choosing your wall art does not have to be difficult, yet many of my friends have told me they struggle.

These easy to follow steps will help you make choices that you feel confident with.

1. Set the tone


Before you start, decide if you want a particular room to have a casual or formal vibe.

  • Bright colours give off a casual or fun feel, particularly on unframed canvas.
  • A framed piece featuring distinct lines and structure will create a formal tone.

2. Select the style of artwork


Selecting art is a personal choice. Ask yourself what appeals about a piece. Consider the colours, the subject and the location.

If you’re still unsure where to start

These are the types of images you can lose yourself in.

Tip:

  • Avoid an impulse buy. If you find a piece you like, view it again later that day or the next day. If you still love it – you’ve obviously made a connection with it!
Modern living room interior with coastal artwork featuring dramatic stormy seascape.
Silhouetted tree against a purple and orange sunset reflected in still water.

3. Choose your colours


The colours of an artwork can impact the look of the whole room. By adding complimentary colours in soft furnishings like the rugs, cushions and lamps you will create a truly finished look.


Everyone has favourite colours. Mine is blue. I find it calming. Some people love warmer colours like oranges, pinks and reds, or the colours of nature.


An unsung hero is monochrome. There is something stunning about black and white artwork. Maybe it’s the simplicity, the way distractions melt away or the way our eyes see the mood. AND black and white artwork can work just about anywhere.


Tip:

  • Make the hero stand out. To highlight a main colour in an artwork make sure the things around it highlight it. For example, if the artwork’s colour is warm, make sure the pieces around it are in cool colours to create contrast and really make it pop.
Black and white photograph of a lone sailboat at anchor displayed in bedroom decor.

4. Size does matter

Scale can make or break a room.

For smaller rooms, consider this -

  • one big piece of art can make a room feel bigger, but be careful, a huge artwork may overtake everything else in the room
  • lots of smaller pieces can make a small room feel cluttered

For larger rooms, consider this -

  • a beautiful but tiny artwork on its own on a big wall may get lost or become insignificant
  • two or three medium pieces of a similar nature may be the impact you need

For more on positioning artwork check out 'The one rule you must break when positioning artwork'


Tips:

  • Test it out. This is something I do all the time. Get a piece of paper the size of the print you are considering and temporarily stick it in place. Spend a few days living with it, checking out if it “makes sense” in the space.
  • Frame your art in the space. Above a 150cm hall table or entertainment unit, choose a 120cm artwork so the pieces “frame” each other.
  • Choose adaptable. Maybe the space you are in right now may not be the space you are always in. A great rule of thumb is that artworks between 30cm and 120cm are pretty easy to accommodate in any space or home.
Minimalist dining room with empty black frame on white wall above wooden table and chairs.
Modern dining space with blank black square frame on white wall above wooden furniture.

5. To frame or not to frame


In step 1 Set the tone, you decided on a casual or formal vibe.

  • Unframed canvases set a great casual vibe.
  • Gold or silver frames are stylish and more formal.
  • Black or white frames generally never go out of style. For nature scenes I generally lean towards white frames so as not to distract from the scene.
  • For cool coloured art, like blue beach scenes I tend to choose warm raw timber frames.

Tip:

  • Timber can be a great choice. Pay attention to your floors. Dark mahogany frames won’t look great with blonde timber floors.
Dramatic seascape photograph showing waves crashing against wooden pier in bedroom setting.
Sunburst through lone tree at sunset displayed in modern living room with leather chairs.

6. Trust your instinct


Art brings life to a space. As I explained in an earlier piece, art makes you healthier. Art is meant to move you.

A piece of art in your home is something you will look at every day, so you MUST LOVE IT!


Trust yourself. You know what makes your heart sing!

You got this!


Finally, you deserve a home that is comfortable and suits your sense of style. Now that you have these tips and ideas to help you, go and make it happen!


Maybe you like Melbourne beaches like I do, or maybe the Victorian coastline is more your thing, or could it be a stunning black and white artwork does it for you? Find that piece that speaks to your soul here.


For more inspiration, have a look in these galleries for a your lounge room, bedroom, dining room or office.