How to Choose Wall Art for Your Living Room (A Calm, Practical Guide)

Your living room is where stories are shared, memories unfold, and guests get their first impression of your personal style. Your living room art is one of the most powerful tools in shaping that story. It brings warmth, depth, and meaning to your space, transforming plain walls into a reflection of who you are. Yet with so many choices in size, colour, and style, it can be hard to know where to begin.

This calm and practical guide will help you choose living room wall art with confidence. Together, we’ll explore how to define your style, select the right size, coordinate colour palettes, choose quality framing, and plan perfect placement. These tips will help you turn an ordinary wall into a beautifully balanced focal point that feels distinctly yours.

Explore curated pieces in our Living Room Art collection - all Australian made, framed, and ready to hang.

Step 1 - Define Your Style & Mood

Before you start browsing, think about how you want your living room to feel. Is it a calm retreat, a lively entertaining space, or a modern showcase of design? Identifying your home’s mood helps narrow your options and makes choosing artwork far easier.

Match Your Décor Style

• Modern/Minimalist: Large abstract or line-based art with clean shapes and subtle colour schemes. Perfect for open-plan spaces or apartments with contemporary furniture.
• Coastal/Hamptons: Ocean photography, soft sands, and gentle blues evoke fresh sea breezes and relaxation.
• Boho/Eclectic: Nature-inspired prints, vibrant tones, and mixed textures bring warmth and creative energy.
• Scandi/Japandi: Light woods, soft neutrals, and simple, organic compositions create balance and calm.
• Mid Century/Vintage: Retro-inspired abstracts, geometric motifs, or nostalgic prints add character and charm.

You might also mix elements, combining coastal textures with minimalist lines, or vintage tones with modern furniture. The key is consistency. When your art complements your furniture and finishes, your living room feels thoughtfully designed.

Need inspiration? Browse our Living Room Art collection or explore Coastal & Beach Wall Art for relaxed Australian-inspired styles.

Step 2 - Get the Size & Scale Right

Choosing the right size artwork is the single biggest factor in getting your room’s proportions right. The most common mistake is selecting art that’s too small, leaving empty wall space that makes the room feel unfinished. A well-sized piece creates visual balance, anchors your furniture, and gives the room a sense of confidence.

Practical Sizing Tips

• Above a sofa, aim for artwork that’s two-thirds the width of the furniture piece below it.
• Fill 50–75% of your available wall area for a cohesive, professional look.
• When in doubt, go larger. Oversized art feels bold and deliberate.
• Mock up with painter’s tape or paper templates before hanging.

If you’re styling a large wall, try pairing two or three matching pieces in a row. Smaller living spaces might benefit from one strong focal artwork positioned centrally. Statement pieces in A0 or A1 sizing bring gallery-like impact, while pairs of A2 prints add symmetry and flow.

Experiment with our Picture Frame Wall Hanging Calculator to visualise your layout before hanging.

Step 3 - Work With Your Colour Palette

Wall art can tie your entire room together through colour. Whether you prefer tone-on-tone harmony or a striking contrast, colour choices should feel intentional and connected to your surroundings.

Choose a Direction

• Harmonise: Pull subtle tones from cushions, rugs, or curtains to mirror within your artwork. This creates visual unity and calm.
• Contrast: Introduce a bold accent to make the artwork a statement feature, such as deep navy in a cream room or burnt orange in a grey interior.
• Neutral Balance: Black and white photography adds timeless sophistication and suits almost every interior style.

When deciding on frame colour, think of it as part of your palette. Black and white frames feel crisp and modern, while natural oak adds warmth and organic texture. If your walls are cool-toned, oak brings a softening touch; in warmer rooms, black or white may add welcome clarity.

Explore tonal balance and depth in our Living Room Art and Black & White Wall Art collections.

Step 4 - Choose the Right Frame & Finish

The frame is as important as the art itself. It protects, enhances, and visually anchors each piece. A thoughtfully chosen frame can elevate an artwork’s tone and harmonise it with your home’s décor.

Framing Notes

• Frame finish: Available in black, white, and natural oak. Black and white offer crisp, modern contrast, while natural oak complements timber furniture and organic textiles.
• Mat boards: Adding a mat or internal white border creates breathing space and enhances smaller prints.
• Craftsmanship: Look for archival papers, gallery-grade acrylic glazing, and well-sealed backing to ensure durability.

Every Profile Australia framed art print is handcrafted in Sydney using solid timber and sustainable materials. Each piece is assembled with care, inspected for detail, and arrives ready to hang with quality fittings.

Experience the handcrafted quality of our Living Room Art collection - made in Australia and guaranteed for life.

Step 5 - Plan Placement & Arrangement

Even the most beautiful artwork can feel out of place without the right arrangement. Proper placement creates balance and draws the eye naturally through the room.

Hanging Guidelines

• Eye level: Position the artwork’s centre roughly 145–155 cm from the floor for optimal viewing height.
• Above furniture: Leave 15–20 cm of space between the frame and furniture top for proportion.
• Gallery wall spacing: Keep 5–10 cm between frames for a cohesive rhythm.

Gallery Wall or Solo Statement

• Single large artwork: Delivers clarity and focus. Ideal for minimalist spaces.
• Gallery wall: Allows personal expression and storytelling. Combine prints, photos, and textures that share colour or mood.

Start by laying pieces on the floor before hanging to find natural flow. Use consistent spacing, and stand back to check balance before committing to hooks.

For expert help, read The Ultimate Guide to Picture Hanging on Your Wall or explore Gallery Wall Frame Sets.

Find gallery-ready pieces in our Living Room Art collection.

Inspiration - Timeless Living Room Art Ideas

If you’re still unsure where to start, here are several tried-and-true ideas that always suit living rooms of all styles:

1. Oversized abstracts - inject movement and modernity with broad brushwork or layered forms.
2. Nature and botanicals - soft greens and florals to create a tranquil, organic feeling.
3. Line art and minimalism - elegant simplicity that suits Scandi and Japandi interiors.
4. Vintage posters - nostalgic charm that adds personality and storytelling.
5. Curated gallery walls - a blend of artworks and memories that make your space uniquely yours.

Mix and match across these ideas depending on your room’s scale and atmosphere. What matters most is connection - every artwork should make you feel something.

See what’s trending in our Modern Art collection or browse Abstract Wall Art for more inspiration.

Quick Answers to Common Questions

What’s the best kind of wall art for a living room?
Choose art that reflects your personality and complements your décor. Abstracts feel modern and open, coastal photography is peaceful and fresh, and black and white pieces bring timeless sophistication.

How big should art be above a sofa?
As a guide, select art about two-thirds the width of your sofa. Larger is better than smaller, as undersized artwork tends to disappear.

Should art match furniture?
Not exactly. Instead, create balance through tone and proportion. Use colour to echo your soft furnishings or contrast to create impact.

How do I plan a gallery wall?
Lay pieces on the floor to visualise arrangement. Keep spacing even and include one unifying feature such as frame finish or subject style.

For more insight, visit How to Choose the Right Wall Art for Your Home or Office and The Ultimate Guide to Picture Hanging.

Bringing It All Together - Your Living Room, Your Art

Choosing wall art for your living room doesn’t need to feel daunting. Once you understand style, scale, colour, framing, and placement, everything falls into place. Whether you prefer calm neutrals, soft landscapes, or bold abstracts, your art should speak to you and enhance the space you love most.

The right artwork is more than decoration - it’s an expression of your identity and the mood you want your home to evoke. Take your time, trust your instincts, and choose pieces that make your living room feel complete.

Ready to find your perfect match? Explore our Living Room Art collection of Australian made, handcrafted framed prints - ready to hang and made to last.