How to Select Living Room Art That Tells Your Story
Choosing living room art isn’t just about décor.
It’s about creating atmosphere.
It’s about self-expression.
The pieces you choose become part of your home’s story. It shapes not just the mood of the room, but the mood of those you bring into your space, and a little about how they perceive you, too!
So, whether you’re drawn to minimalist prints, timeless photography or bold cityscapes, the right living room wall art can really set the tone for your life at home.
So what should you be bearing in mind?
Let’s dive in!
Selecting the right living room art
Your living room is the stage for your home life.
For some, it's just a display of decorations and items collected over time. Collections like that are one of the best ways to truly personalise a space.
But whilst you’re there, why not curate the feel slightly?
Here are the things to consider when making your choices.
What do you want your living room to say about you?
Maybe you want it to be an honest representation of where you kick back with a drink and a good TV show.
Or perhaps you want to tell a story to your guests if you’re the kind who entertains a lot.
The art you display should echo your energy. With that considered, which of these speaks loudest to you?
- Is your taste modern and urban? Cityscape photography brings a feel of structure and sophistication.
- Perhaps you’re a nature lover. Pictures of landscapes and botany create another window straight from your room to the great outdoors.
- Got a thing for minimalism? Monochrome/greyscale art draws the focus away from the subject and towards form and texture.
- Or are you a collector? If you’re collecting art from all over, make sure you decide between:
- eclectic; no two pieces of art should match too similarly. Your entire collection should show a range.
- similar, at least in a respect. Personally, I love collections that, even with a range of subjects, are still honest to a theme, such as all being on canvas prints, or all being framed photos of the same size.
Consider the size of the space you’re decorating
Art that’s too small gets lost.
Art that’s too big will overwhelm.
To create a really great look, scale is everything. Art shouldn’t feel disconnected, nor should it dominate the room or throw off balance.
For more on this, check out our guide to choosing the right size wall art.
Consider your colour theming
Your living room wall art should either complement — OR contrast — your colour palette.
Imagine your walls are off-white.
It’s slightly different if your walls are already a strong colour or pattern. If your art blends into the wall, it will get lost. Here, you might choose to contrast the background colour to give the eye a focal point.
- Deep red walls might want art which is predominantly a different, but equally strong, colour, so that it stands out.
- Highly patterned wallpaper might want something less striking. Monochrome prints or minimalist photography can bring balance in these cases.
Pro tip: here’s an old interior designer strategy. Step back from your wall and squint slightly. If the art disappears into the background, it’s too similar in tone to the walls. You need something that stands out a bit more.
Think about your layout
Even the best art can look awkward if it’s placed haphazardly.
Think of your wall as a composition. It’s a grid where each piece supports the others. As is ever the case with decorating, what story do you want your decor to tell about you?
Here are some options:
- You could have a single statement piece. One large canvas or cityscape photo above the sofa gives a place a strong, modern impact.
- You could make a gallery wall, where you combine prints, photos and illustrations in different sizes for a very personalised, eclectic look.
- If you like order, maybe go with symmetry. Two or three equally-sized pieces side by side keep things balanced and calm.
- In smaller spaces, you can also think of vertical stacking. It’s great for making ceilings feel higher.
If in doubt, you can always lay your artwork on the floor to preview an arrangement, especially if putting pieces on the wall is somewhat irreversible (cost of fixtures, drilling holes, etc).
Pro tip: Cityscape prints work particularly well in sets of 2 or 3 where the skyline flows naturally across multiple canvases!
Consider how you’re making use of lighting
This is the quiet hero of all good wall art.
It can completely change the mood of your living room wall art and how your guests experience it.
- Ambient light. Lamps and wall sconces give warmth and create a specific mood, and work particularly well with warmer tones in your decor, such as evening cityscapes.
- Accent light. Spotlights or picture lights can be fiddly to install just for artwork. But they can really bring out texture and shadow; perfect for photo canvases.
- Natural light. My personal favourite. It’s fantastic for daytime viewing but make sure you avoid direct sunlight on canvases to prevent fading over time.
Pro tip: If your art features city lights or evening scenes, soft accent lighting can mimic the same nighttime glow, really enhancing the depth of the piece!
Closing thoughts
The most memorable living room art says something about you.
It might be a photo of a place that feels like home, a skyline with meaning to you, or a view you simply find dazzling.
Don’t worry too much about rules. All the tips in this piece will help you create a considered ambience in your living room with your art. But the best spaces evolve over time, and will be a reflection of you as time moves on.
If your living room walls tell your story, they’ll never go out of style.
Ready to spruce up your living room walls? Take a look at our collection of living room art!
Frequently Asked Questions
🖼️ What kind of art suits most living rooms?
The best art for living rooms is tied to the mood you want to create. Photography, abstract prints and landscape pieces all work well, but you can also consider portraits, paintings, or even masks and wall-mounted instruments like guitars or ukuleles.
For a modern or urban feel, cityscape canvases are ideal. Their lines and light add structure, sophistication and a sense of calm order.
🙋♂️ How can I make my living room art feel personal?
Make your living room art personal by choosing imagery that connects to your experiences or emotions. For example, a picture of a place with meaning to you, a photo of someone you love, or an item you got from somewhere special.
Displaying travel or city photography as canvas prints adds meaning and individuality without sacrificing style.
🎨 Can I combine different types of living room art?
Yes, you absolutely can!
Having the same medium for art (such as only canvas prints or posters) creates a sophistication and a strong sense of intent. But in practice, it’s difficult to keep up. Often, you’ll find a poster here, a canvas there, or a mask and a ukulele which you think just look nice. There’s no reason not to have them all on display.
You’re not just looking to create an aesthetic look; you’re looking to tell a story, to start conversations and to create a mood.
