Your living room is your personal oasis and the place where you catch up on tv, share a laugh, or create some memorable moments. It’s about time the walls get more than a splash of paint. Put all of them in a frame and give them personality. We understand that picking wall art can be a daunting task, but we are here to tell you it is a lot easier and absolutely more fun than you think.
In this blog we are going to walk you through how to identify wall art for living room that suits your vibe, budget, and available space, and all of this without the need of an interior design license.
Know Your Space
Shopping can be a lot of fun, but the first step of the process is to sit down and study the space. Aim to assess and note the layout, wall size, existing furniture, and lighting in the room. Start asking yourself the following questions for wall art living room:
Would you describe your room as cozy or big?
Is there a lot of natural light available?
What color is the furniture in there and what is the design?
By answering these questions, you will ensure that all the wall art you choose for the living room will complement and not clash with the rest of the decor in the room.
Define Your Style (Or Do A Little Mix ‘n Match)
Take a step back—what kind of art hangs on your walls? You could even expand further. Do you prefer modern chic or rustic retro? Whatever your aesthetic is, it will dictate the kind of wall art you select. That said, don’t box yourself in; fusing different eclectic styles is super curated and can look jaw-droppingly cool for wall art for the living room.
Style Inspiration:
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Searching for minimalistic inspiration? Consider using black-and-white photography or abstract line art.
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If your inclination is towards bohemian, you could try using macrame hangings, vintage posters, or even botanical prints.
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For those with industrial inclinations, metal wall sculptures alongside edgy illustrations do the trick.
Let Your Art Have The Right Proportions
When it comes to wall art, the size of the piece matters equally to the piece itself. A small framed wall mounted on a large expanse of wall looks bare and uninteresting. Alternatively, oversized centered canvases on petite walls tend to give a dominating vibe.
General Sizing Cheat Sheet:
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Expansive wall? Use oversized art or a gallery wall.
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Above the couch? Art should be about 60-75% the width of the sofa.
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Corner nooks? Think vertical art, sets of two or three pieces.
Color Coordination Is Key
Your wall art should match the color scheme of the room instead of clashing with it. Make sure to choose pieces of art that highlight the accent colors of your pillows, area rugs, or decor. Be dramatic and allow your artwork to be the much-needed color splash for your space.
Tips:
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Is your room neutral? Use bold and bright hues like blue, red, or yellow.
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For rooms that are already colorful, use black and white or muted colors.
Match the mood
Art helps to evoke different emotions. If the idea is to have a calming effect in the living room, consider soft watercolor pieces or nature-inspired paintings along with abstract pieces featuring cooler shades. Want to make the room bold and energetic? Get modern graphics, pop art, or vibrant photography.
Let the mood guide the decisions you make for your wall art living room.
Mix Up Mediums
Do not stick only to framed prints. Consider:
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Canvas paintings
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Wall tapestries
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Sculptural pieces
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Neon signs
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Sculptural pieces
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Floating shelves with mini art
Mixing different mediums adds texture and helps make the space feel more inviting and lived-in.
Think About Framing
Choosing a frame for your art does not have to be overly complicated. The right one will change everything. For a modern feel, opt for black or metallic frames. Go wooden for a rustic or boho vibe. No frames? Totally acceptable for a more relaxed look.
Tip: The gallery wall is a great way to showcase personal style and creativity. Matching frames can create coherence while mismatched frames can add an energetic flair to the gallery wall.
Follow Your Heart
Try exploring your creative side a little bit. Don’t think about it way too much—this is your artwork. Choose a piece that brings positive emotions or has a travel memory associated to it. That emotional bond is what makes artwork look perfect on walls.
Establish a Center of Attraction
Your living room also needs a statement piece. Each room needs that one statement piece that captures attention and “wow” your guests. It can range from a striking canvas painting to a detailed mirror, or even funky textile art. Select one main artwork to be the focal point and build around it.
Expert tip: Avoid over-decorating loose walls. Give some walls room to breathe.
Still slay without breaking the bank
Refreshing the decor for your wall art living room does not need to cost a fortune. here are some ideas that tend to cost less:
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Prints available on Etsy or Pinterest
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DIY canvas paintings
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Instagram photo prints
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a myriad of fabric or wallpaper sample
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wall stickers
Always remember, the styling matters most.
Try mixing and matching photos with a gallery wall
When artwork seems to be lacking, these gallery walls are perfect. Use photographs, illustrations, postcards, and combine them for a fun and aesthetically pleasing finish. Gallery walls show individuality, creativity, and personal art style and are a beautiful way to exhibit one’s personality.
Gallery Layouts to Try:
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Grid (orderly and neat)
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Organic cluster (active—playful and imaginative)
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Linear row (standard and symmetric)
Seasonal or Rotating Art
Is your decor feeling a bit too repetitive? Why not try changing the wall decor pieces based on the season? It just makes it more interesting.
Suggestions:
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Spring: Floral decorations
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Summer: Seascape art
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Fall: Earth tones
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Winter: Snowy sceneries
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Store unused art safely and switch things up every few months.
Consider Lighting
Lighting defines color and texture, make sure the wall art is exhibited under an appropriate light.
Lighting Options:
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Spotlights or picture lights
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Soft wall sconces
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Natural light (don’t hang valuable art in direct sunlight though)
Don’t Forget Corners and Hallways
Your living room isn’t just four walls. That corner near the window? The hallway leading in? Yep—they’re all fair game for wall art.
Corner Art Ideas:
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Slim vertical prints
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Corner shelves with mini frames
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Macrame hangings
Make It Personal
Wall art that doesn’t reflect the personality of the owner isn’t wall art at all, include these personal touches:
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Letters and framed poems
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Your artwork
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Quotes that mean a lot
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Family or travel pictures
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This develops a connection with the space to make it feel like home.
No one needs to have a design degree in order to select suitable wall decorations, rather they only need to care a little, have a little imagination and most importantly have fun. Be it minimalists, surrealists, or people who are a blend of both, wall decorations always add that finishing touch to the space that it gives appetite to ensure and utter wow this is home.
So take the leap, make discoveries, try new things, and allow your walls to narrate your story.
