How to Choose Art for Your Space

Selecting artwork for your home or office can feel overwhelming. With so many styles, colours, and sizes to choose from, how do you know what works best? The answer lies not in strict rules, but in personal connection, intentional placement, and curated balance. This guide will walk you through the process so you can make confident, inspiring choices.

Start with the Space

Consider what kind of space are you working with:

• Wall size: A sprawling wall behind a sofa might need a bold, large-scale canvas or a well-balanced gallery wall. On the other hand, a narrow hallway or bathroom could be the perfect place for a small, colourful piece that surprises.

• Room function: Art should support the purpose of the room. Calming art for a bedroom; energizing, thought-provoking pieces for a home office or studio.

• Style and materials: Is your decor minimalist, vintage, bohemian, or industrial? Art that either complements or dramatically contrasts with these themes can bring the space to life.

  
  

For example, a minimalist living room with soft gray tones could be elevated with a vivid abstract painting in warm oranges and reds—or balanced with a monochrome ink drawing framed in walnut.

Let the Room Define the Mood

Think of each room like a character in a story. What role does it play? What mood should it evoke?

• Living Room: The heart of the home. Ideal for conversation-starting pieces or large artworks with personality. Eg. a bold pop artwork can bring in energy and movement.

• Dining Room: A space for connection and celebration. Choose elegant or moody artworks that invite reflection—still life, moody landscapes, or mixed media with metallic accents.

• Bedroom: A personal sanctuary. Consider paintings with soft hues, flowing shapes; or maybe meaningful quotes in calligraphy.

• Home Office: A space for clarity and creativity. Choose artwork that inspires or expressive abstracts that reflect your mindset.

Colour Choices: To Match or To Pop?

Colour plays a big role in how art integrates with your space. You can:

• Complement: Pick art that contains colours already in your room for cohesion.

• Contrast: Use bold, opposite tones to inject energy. This works beautifully in neutral-toned spaces.

Follow Your Feelings

Buy what moves you.

Art doesn’t have to match your rug. It doesn’t even need to “go” with your home. If it speaks to you, it belongs. Ask yourself:

• Does this artwork make me feel something—peace, excitement, nostalgia?

• Can I imagine looking at this every day and still loving it?

You’re not just decorating—you’re curating your story.

Mix It Up: Styles, Mediums, and Eras

Don't be afraid to break be creative:

• Pair vintage oil paintings with sleek modern prints.

• Combine black-and-white photography with colourful abstracts.

• Mix frames (gold, wood, black) to add layers of texture and personality.

For example, a gallery wall featuring botanical illustrations, abstract ink blots, and a framed textile piece can look cohesive if unified by a colour palette or spacing style.

Placement & Framing Tips

How you hang art matters just as much as the art itself.

• Eye-level rule: Hang artwork so its centre is at eye-level for an average height person..

• Above furniture: Leave 15 to 30 centimetres of space above a couch, headboard, or console table.

• Framing: Choose frames that suit both the artwork and your decor. A modern piece might pop in a vintage frame, and vice versa.

How to Build a Gallery Wall

Gallery walls are a creative way to tell a story or showcase multiple works. To build one:

• Choose a unifying element—frame colour, theme, or layout style.

• Plan your layout on the floor or with paper cutouts taped to the wall.

• Vary sizes, but maintain balanced spacing (eg. 5 centimetres between pieces).

Start with your largest artwork in the centre or off-centre, and build out from there.

Final Thoughts: Your Space, Your Voice

Choosing art is a process of discovery. It’s not about perfection, but about passion, expression, and storytelling. The best spaces feel lived in, loved, and authentically you.

So take your time. Trust your instincts. And enjoy the journey of filling your world with beauty art that speaks to you.