How to Choose Art Prints That Suit Your Space

Amanda Bravo
Nov 7, 2024
4 min read

A photography of a beautifully decorated living room with a mix of modern and classic decor, featuring a bold, gallery of art prints in different styles and sizes as the focal point on the wall. Warm lighting, cozy furniture, natural elements like plants, and a coffee table with art books arranged stylishly in the foreground. Photography, high-resolution, realistic interior design.

Decorating a home with art is a thoughtful process that involves considering various elements to create a harmonious living environment. When selecting art prints for your home, it's essential to look beyond mere aesthetics and focus on how each piece contributes to the overall ambiance of the space. Art has the power to evoke emotions, set the tone, and convey a message, making it a crucial aspect of interior design.

Each room in your home serves a unique purpose, and the art you choose should align with that function. For instance, a serene landscape painting might be ideal for a bedroom, promoting relaxation and tranquility, while a vibrant abstract piece could energize a workspace. By understanding the role of each room, you can select art prints that not only beautify the walls but also enhance the intended atmosphere.

Furthermore, your choice of art should reflect your personality and style preferences. Whether you lean towards classic paintings, modern prints, or eclectic artworks, incorporating pieces that resonate with you will make your home feel personalized and inviting. Consider mixing different art styles and sizes to create visual interest and showcase your diverse tastes.

When browsing for art prints, pay attention to colors, themes, and compositions that complement your existing decor. Harmonizing the artwork with your furniture, textiles, and overall color scheme will ensure a cohesive look that ties the room together. Additionally, don't be afraid to experiment with unconventional placements or gallery walls to make a bold statement and infuse creativity into your space.

Ultimately, choosing wall art for your home is an opportunity to express yourself, elevate your surroundings, and create a space that reflects your unique identity. By following these guidelines and trusting your instincts, you can curate a collection of art prints that not only enhance your home but also inspire and delight you every day.

A cozy bedroom with soft lighting and a calming nature-inspired art print above the bed, emphasizing a serene and relaxing atmosphere. The bed has plush pillows, a throw blanket, and a bedside table with a plant. Photography, high-resolution, warm tones.

1. Define the Room’s Purpose and Atmosphere

The first step in choosing art for home decor is understanding the purpose of each room and the kind of atmosphere you want to create. Different rooms call for different styles of art prints:

Living Room: The living room is a gathering place, so it’s ideal for art that makes a statement, such as bold abstracts or landscapes that add visual interest.
Bedroom: A bedroom is a personal retreat, so opt for calming art prints that feature nature-inspired themes or serene scenes.
Office: For a productive space, choose wall art that inspires and energizes. Motivational quotes, modern abstract art, and color schemes that encourage creativity work well here.

By thinking about the impact you want the art to have—whether it's calming, energizing, or thought-provoking—you can choose pieces that align with the room’s purpose.

A spacious living room with a large art print as the focal point above a mid-century modern sofa. The artwork is about two-thirds the width of the sofa, creating balance. The decor includes modern furniture, indoor plants, and a coffee table with decor items. Photography, high-resolution, showcasing interior balance.

2. Select the Right Size for Impactful Wall Art

Choosing the right wall art size is essential to achieving balance in your space. Here’s how to get it right:

Large Spaces: For large areas, consider oversized prints that serve as focal points. A single large piece or a series of diptychs can bring a sense of grandeur to your home decor.
Above Furniture: When choosing art for above a sofa or bed, aim for art prints that are around two-thirds the width of the furniture below. This ensures the art feels proportionate to the surrounding decor.
Gallery Walls: In smaller spaces, gallery walls made up of multiple smaller prints add character without overwhelming the room. Try to arrange these in a cohesive manner for a polished effect.

Using painter’s tape to outline the dimensions on the wall can help you visualize the fit of each art piece before making a final decision.

A bright, minimalist living room featuring art prints with colors that match accent pillows and rugs in the space. The walls are light, and the room has pops of color through art and decor accessories. Clean lines and contemporary furniture complete the look. Photography, high-resolution, vibrant colors.

3. Find an Art Color Palette That Complements the Room

Matching your art’s color palette with your room’s decor is key to creating a cohesive look. Here’s how to approach it:

Match Accent Colors: If your room has specific colors in decor pieces like throw pillows or rugs, choose art prints that echo those hues to tie the room together.
Create Contrast: For rooms with a neutral or monochrome color scheme, art prints with pops of color add interest and create contrast, preventing the space from feeling flat.
Stick to a Theme: Choose a dominant color in the art and use complementary shades to create a harmonious palette. This way, your wall art enhances the overall decor style.

At Couleur, you’ll find art prints in a wide variety of color schemes, so it’s easy to discover pieces that work perfectly with your home’s decor.

An eclectic bohemian-style room with rich colors, unique patterns, and vintage-inspired art prints on the wall. The decor includes an assortment of textured rugs, pillows, and plants, creating a cozy, artistic vibe. Photography, high-resolution, boho interior design

4. Align Art Styles with Your Decor

Choosing art that aligns with the decor style of each room can help bring everything together. Here’s how different decor styles match with different art choices:

Modern Decor: Opt for minimalistic black-and-white prints or abstract art to enhance the clean lines and simplicity of a modern space.
Bohemian/Eclectic Decor: Boho or eclectic rooms benefit from rich colors, unique patterns, and vintage-inspired designs.
Traditional Decor: Traditional spaces pair well with landscapes, still lifes, or classic art reproductions that add an elegant feel.

Experimenting with contrasting styles can be rewarding too—a bold abstract piece can stand out beautifully in a traditional room, adding a unique twist to your decor.

A cozy, personalized home office space with an art print on the wall that has a sentimental, family-related theme. The room includes a comfortable chair, a small desk with personal items, and a few family photographs arranged with the art. Photography, high-resolution, warm and inviting atmosphere

5. Choose Art Prints with a Personal Connection

Ultimately, the art in your home should reflect who you are. Choose art prints that resonate with you or evoke memories, dreams, or values. Art that has a personal meaning adds warmth to your home and makes your decor feel more authentic.

stylish gallery wall in a modern living room, featuring a mix of frames and art styles in an organized arrangement. The frames vary in design, creating an eclectic look that feels collected and curated. The room includes contemporary furniture, and the lighting highlights the gallery wall. Photography, high-resolution, curated interior

6. Experiment with Framing and Display Options

The frame you choose can enhance the art’s impact and make it feel like part of the room. Consider these framing tips:

Simple Frames for a Modern Look: Sleek black or white frames work well for a contemporary feel.
Ornate Frames for Classic Charm: Decorative frames can elevate a traditional room, giving your art a sophisticated touch.
Gallery Wall Variety: Mixing frame styles in a gallery wall can create an eclectic, collected-over-time look.

For a minimalist look, consider unframed canvas prints, which add a clean and modern element to your wall art display.

Final Thoughts

Choosing art prints that suit your space involves understanding the purpose of each room, selecting the right size, harmonizing colors, and aligning art styles with decor. Couleur offers an array of art prints and wall decor, making it easy to find pieces that reflect your style and enhance your home’s ambiance. With the right art choices, you can create a space that feels cohesive, personalized, and visually inspiring.