A beautiful painting has the power to transform a home. It can bring colour to a neutral room, create a focal point, complement your furniture and give an otherwise empty wall intent. But choosing artwork for your home is not just about finding a painting you like; different spaces serve different functions and purposes, and your choice of artwork should reflect this.
What may be a perfect painting for a bedroom could be overwhelming for a living room?
Dining rooms can make use of expressive paintings while hallways and entrance are ideal for small compositions or creating a gallery wall.
With the rise of online shopping, homeowners now have increased access to diverse styles and artists. Whether you wish to buy wall art online, decorate a newly built home or simply refresh your space, here is a guide to picking the perfect paintings for your home.
How to choose the right painting for your home?
Before you start, consider four important factors: space, size, colour and style.
Start with a wall that you want to complement with a painting. Is it spacious and open or something narrow and vertical? What colours do you have in the house? Your artwork does not need to match everything, but it has to complement it. And finally, consider the mood you want to create in the space.
A bedroom usually calls for something calming while the living room could welcome more expressive artwork. Once you know what you are looking for, it should be much easier to pick out paintings for your home. Here is a room-by-room breakdown:
1. Living room: Make a statement
The living room is one of the most important spaces in a house, and it offers a wonderful opportunity to make a statement with your artwork. The wall behind your sofa makes a perfect background for a large painting, but you can also hang artwork on a console table, fireplace or any empty walls in the space.
Abstract compositions, contemporary pieces, landscapes, figurative paintings, and textured works of art are all great options. If you have a neutral living room, you could pick up something vibrant to complement it, while a living room with lots of colour might call for something more subdued.
Large canvas oil paintings can also work wonders in spacious living rooms, as their scale and texture can create incredible visual depth.
Living room artwork tips
• Pick compositions that complement your sofa and other large pieces of furniture.
• Avoid small artwork on large walls.
• Consider the lighting conditions in the room.
• Go for one piece or a coordinated gallery of artwork.
• Ensure there is enough space around the artwork.
The idea is to relate the painting to the room and not simply hang it on an empty wall.
2. Bedrooms: Choose calming compositions
Bedrooms are for relaxation, and your artwork should help you create a soothing environment. Soft landscapes, nature paintings, subtle abstracts, flora compositions, and gentle figurative paintings can all work wonders in a bedroom.
Try going for muted or harmonious colours if you want to achieve serenity as the walls and bedding and create the dominant aesthetic in any space. Cool tones such as blue and green and warm earthy tones are all great options for bedroom paintings.
The wall behind the headboard is an obvious choice, but you could also try artwork on a wall opposite the bed or a painting above a bedroom console.
Remember, when choosing artwork for a bedroom, the emotional impact of the piece is more important than its visual presence. It will be one of the few rooms where your art can create an oasis-like feel.
3. Dining room: Bring in panache
Dining areas are the perfect places to add panache to your home. Still-life artwork, floral paintings, figurative pieces, abstract compositions, and culturally inspired artwork are all great options to consider.
Look at the existing items in the house for inspiration. Earthy artwork looks spectacular with wooden furnishing, while contemporary paintings can beautifully offset glass and steel.
A painting above the dining table could be a great centrepiece, but you could also consider a gallery of smaller artwork for the space.
4. Entrance and Foyer: Make a dramatic first impression
Your entrance serves as the first impression of your home, and artwork can be a great way to make it memorable. Medium paintings on a wall above a console table can instantly elevate the space.
Abstract compositions, minimalist artwork, florals, and contemporary paintings are all great options for this space. Keep away from overcrowding the wall if you have a narrow foyer. Go for pieces that match the space in terms of scale and leave enough breathing space around the artwork.
5. Hallways: Curate a gallery
Hallways are among the easiest spaces to overlook, but they pack tremendous potential. A long corridor can be spectacular with a collection of smaller paintings. You can even create a gallery of artwork.
Arrange the pieces in a gallery around a common colour, frame, or theme. You can even mix different mediums. Paintings can be paired with drawings and photographs for a eclectic mix.
Make sure to lay the paintings on the floor before you hang them on the wall so that you get the perfect composition.
6. Home office: Add visual interest
A home office should be vibrant but not overbearing, and artwork can be a wonderful way to achieve this. Abstract compositions, architectural pieces, minimalist artwork, landscapes and well-crafted contemporary paintings are all great options to consider.
A single artwork above the office desk can be more effective than a gallery of unrelated pieces. If you have neutral office furniture, the artwork can bring in some much-needed colour, but if the office is full of bold pieces, go for something understated.
7. Kids' Room: Inject fun and brightness
Kids' rooms offer one of the most exciting opportunities as you can afford to be more experimental with your artwork. Go for bright paintings, playful compositions, and artwork with animals and nature.
But it is vital to remember that children grow up quickly, and their tastes change with alarming speed. So instead of injecting a room with their current preferences, look at artwork that will help them grow with it.
Artwork can also be combined with the room's bedding, rugs, curtains or accent walls to provide a much-needed pop of colour.
8. Staircase Walls: Add visual weight
Staircase walls can be extremely intimidating with their size, but a well-curated gallery of small and medium artwork can bring the space to life. Maintain some consistency such as similar frames or colours in the composition while allowing the individual pieces to vary.
Since measuring staircase walls could be more challenging than regular walls, make sure to plan your layout before buying multiple pieces of artwork.
9. Guest Bedroom: Make it cosy
Guest rooms are all about comfort and elegance, and your artwork should reflect this. Landscape paintings, subtle abstracts, flora compositions, and contemporary artwork are all great options for the space.
If the room has patterned bedding or curtains, go for something simplistic in artwork, but a minimal room could take up a bolder piece of artwork.
How to choose the right size of painting?
The size of the artwork matters almost as much as its composition.
A small painting above a large empty wall could be overlooked, while an oversized piece on a small wall can overwhelm the space. Always measure the wall and furniture that the painting will hang above before you buy it. You could even use painter's tape to determine the approximate size of the artwork on your wall.
Consider the following painting sizes:
Horizontal: Great for wide walls, sofas and beds.
Vertical: Perfect for narrow or tall walls.
Square: A great choice for balanced compositions.
Multiple pieces: Great for large walls where a single artwork will not suffice.
Proportion is also important when it comes to paintings. Make sure the artwork is in proportion to the furniture and space around it.
Should your painting match your interior?
Your artwork should not necessarily match your interior, and in most cases, it is safer to go for contrasting styles. A neutral room looks stunning with a pop of colour, and the same principle applies to artwork. Traditional interiors can be splendid with Indian art and figurative paintings, while contemporary interiors can be elevated with abstract artwork and modern art.
Instead of looking for matching colours, focus on accentuating the room with artwork.
Canvas, Oil and other painting styles
The medium of your artwork can also influence its ability to transform a space.
Canvas paintings are highly versatile and work well in both traditional, contemporary and modern interiors. Oil paintings could add depth and richness to your space and make a great statement piece.
If you are looking to buy canvas oil paintings, make sure to consider the visual appeal and physical texture of the work, as this will define its impact on a room.
Different mediums can have a tremendously different visual effect, so it is important not to focus on subject matter when picking artwork. Look at the visual appeal, composition, and texture of the artwork.
How to buy wall art online for your home?
The Internet has fundamentally changed the way we discover artwork, and for the better. You no longer have to browse through dozens of art galleries before you find the perfect piece. All the artists, mediums, and styles are now at your fingertips with just a few clicks. But if you are planning to buy wall art online, make sure to understand the following:
Before you buy artwork online, make sure to research the following:
Artwork dimensions.
Medium and technique.
Artist information.
Framing options.
Authenticity of artwork.
Shipping and packaging.
Return and damage policies.
High-resolution images of artwork.
Dimensions are always important when it comes to paintings. Make sure to double-check them before you buy as an artwork that looks spectacular on your screen can be massively disappointing in real life. A reliable online gallery should have this information to help you make an informed choice.
Why original artwork can make a difference
There is a big difference between filling your home with generic decor and finding spectacular original artwork. Original paintings bring individuality into the space, and no two brushstrokes are the same. Original artwork can also help collectors find a unique connection to a space. But this does not mean you should buy expensive paintings for your home; the most important thing is how the artwork fits the space.
Creating a cohesive art collection throughout your home?
You do not have to stick to one style when it comes to artwork in your home. But make sure to establish some cohesion between artworks in different rooms. For instance:
Living room: Large abstract statement painting
Bedroom: Subtle landscape painting
Dining room: Vibrant figurative artwork
Home office: Minimalist contemporary painting
Hallway: A collection of artwork
Entrance: Medium-sized statement piece
The rooms have completely different styles but share a common visual thread that brings the house together.
Final thoughts
When it comes to choosing paintings for your home, always focus on the space rather than the artwork. Think about how the room is used, the size of the wall, the existing décor, the lighting conditions, and the mood you want to create. A bold statement painting can transform a living room while a subtle landscape can add serenity to a bedroom. From abstract compositions and landscapes to canvas oil paintings and contemporary artwork, there is a wide range of spectacular pieces that can elevate modern interiors. Whether you are planning to buy wall art online, search for a home painting online, or simply refresh your space, make sure to choose artwork that fits the space. It will not only transform your walls but also stay with you for years to come.
Frequently asked questions
What type of painting is best for a bedroom?
The best type of painting for a bedroom is one that creates a calm, relaxing and comforting atmosphere. Soft landscape painting, nature-inspired artwork, subtle abstract art, floral compositions and peaceful figurative paintings can all work wonders. Go with muted, harmonious or muted colours to complement the bedding, walls and furniture in the room without overpowering the senses. Original paintings can also add warmth and character to the space while keeping it elegant and comfortable.
What type of painting works best for a living room?
The living room offers you more creative freedom as it is all about self-expression through decor. Large abstract paintings, contemporary Indian art, landscapes, figurative artwork, and statement canvas paintings are all great options. For neutral living rooms, a vibrant painting can be a wonderful way to introduce colour and create a focal point, while a more understated artwork can complement an already vibrant room. Always consider the size of the wall and furniture that the painting will hang above.
Do I need to buy art strictly as an investment?
No, you should not buy art strictly for investment purposes. For the majority of homeowners, artwork will be a way to enhance their living space and they should focus on what appeals to them. While it is true that some works of art appreciate in value, art investment is a very subjective area and depends on an artist's fame, authenticity, and demand in the market. Choosing the right artwork for your home should always be based on its artistic appeal and how well it fits the space.
What is the difference between a print and an original painting?
An original painting is a one-of-a-kind piece, while a print is a replica of an existing artwork. Original artwork can have unique features and characteristics. Prints, on the other hand, are usually mass-produced and offer less individuality.
How do I choose the right painting size for my wall?
Always measure the wall and furnishings in the space before you buy any artwork. Large walls will look best with large paintings, while narrow walls will be overwhelmed by oversized artwork. You could even use painter's tape to mark the approximate size of the artwork on the wall.
What should I check before buying wall art online?
Before buying wall art online, make sure to check the dimensions of the artwork, its medium, artist information, authenticity, framing options, shipping and packing, and damage and return policies. It is also important to look at high-resolution images of the artwork.
Can one painting style work throughout the entire house?
Yes, you can have one consistent styles throughout the house, but it is not necessary. Different styles can be mixed in different rooms for spectacular results.
