How to Choose Wall Art for Your Living Room

Wall art sets the mood of a room faster than almost anything else. The trick is choosing pieces that fit the space rather than filling it.

Start with scale

The most common mistake is art that is too small. As a rough guide, a piece above a sofa should span about two-thirds of the sofa width — either as one large canvas or a grouped set hung as a unit.

Pick a mood, then a subject

• Calm and restful: misty landscapes, soft neutrals and open horizons.
• Warm and characterful: classic reproductions and painterly scenes.
• Modern and graphic: abstract shapes and bold colour blocks.

Work with the colours you already have

Pull one or two colours from what is already in the room — a cushion, a rug, the wood tone — and let the art echo them. It ties the room together without matching everything exactly.

One statement or a grouping?

• A single large canvas suits a clean, uncluttered wall.
• A multi-panel set adds width and works well above long furniture.
• A gallery grouping suits collectors and awkward wall shapes.

Choose for scale and mood first, and the rest falls into place. Browse our wall art to find a piece sized for your room.