Choosing the right art for your living room can significantly influence the overall aesthetic and atmosphere of your space. It’s not just about filling empty walls; selecting the perfect paintings can serve as a reflection of your personality, set a desired mood, and even tie a room’s design elements together. As the living room is often the central gathering spot in a home, the art you choose for this space should be inviting, engaging, and harmonious with your decor. In this blog post, we delve into considerations for finding the best paintings for your living room.
What Type Of Paintings Is Best For Living Room?
The ideal paintings for a living room depend on the your need, desired mood, theme, and your personal taste. Regardless of which paintings you choose, it is important to ensure that the colors and style match your existing decor.
For a tranquil ambiance, choose paintings with cool colors or serene scenes. To create a vibrant atmosphere, opt for bold, bright colors and dynamic compositions. For a romantic or cozy feel, go for warm tones, soft lines, and intimate subjects. To achieve sophistication, select refined and classy pieces. An eclectic mood allows for mixing different styles. For a nature-themed room, choose artwork depicting wildlife or landscapes. For a modern room, opt for clean lines and simple forms, while in a traditional setting, consider classic genres like landscape, portraiture, or still life.
Understanding Your Space

When assessing your living room, take note of its size, lighting, and color scheme. These are crucial guideposts for selecting the perfect artwork.
The size of your room and wall space can help dictate the scale of the painting – larger rooms can accommodate grander pieces while smaller spaces may require more petite or multiple smaller works.
Consider the lighting in your room; well-lit rooms with natural light can accommodate darker pieces, while dimly lit rooms benefit from lighter, more vibrant paintings.
The color scheme of your living room should also be considered. The colors in a painting can either complement or contrast with your decor, thus setting the mood and tone of the space.
Remember, the ideal painting for your living room should not only reflect your personal taste but also blend seamlessly with the room’s specific characteristics.
Read more: What Painting Is Good For Living Room Feng Shui?
Choosing the Right Size

When choosing the right size of painting for your living room, consider the scale of your wall.
For a large, blank wall, an oversized painting or a gallery wall of several smaller pieces can work beautifully to fill the space. A general rule of thumb is that art should take up two-thirds to three-quarters of the wall.
For example, if you have a wall that is 120 inches wide, an ideal painting or group of artworks should be approximately 80 to 90 inches wide (taking up two-thirds to three-quarters of the wall). If there’s a piece of furniture below this space, like a console or couch that is 100 inches wide, the artwork above it should be around 75-80 inches wide to maintain balance and proportion.
For smaller walls, a single smaller painting or a group of tiny ones arranged aesthetically can create a focal point. Bear in mind that the painting(s) should align with the center of interest in your room, typically at eye level which is usually 56 to 60 inches from the floor.
Conversely, for a smaller wall that is only 40 inches wide, a painting or collection of smaller works should be no more than 30 inches wide. If there’s a 36-inch wide side table beneath this space, the painting should not exceed 27 inches in width.
Lastly, remember to consider the existing furniture or fixtures on the wall when deciding on size. The width of the artwork should not be wider than the furniture piece; it should be about 75% of the width of the furniture.
Selecting the Right Colors

The color scheme of your painting should either match or contrast with your living room’s current color scheme.
To create a harmonious look, choose paintings that contain colors already found in your room. This can include wall colors, furniture, rugs, curtains, or other artwork. It doesn’t mean that the colors in your painting need to match exactly, but they should be in the same color family for a cohesive look.
Alternatively, if you wish to make a bold statement, choose artwork with colors that contrast with those in your room.
For example, if your living room has a neutral color scheme with beige and white tones, a vibrant, colorful painting can add a much-needed pop of color.
Similarly, a black and white painting can offer a striking contrast in a brightly colored room.
However, be careful not to overwhelm your space with too much color; balance is key. Ultimately, the color choice should be based on your personal preference and desired mood for the room. Whether you choose to match or contrast, the right colors can make your living room come alive.
Different Styles of Paintings

When exploring different styles of paintings, there are numerous options to consider, each influencing the ambiance of your living room in its unique way.
Abstract Paintings are a popular choice for many homeowners due to their flexibility. These works, with their non-representational designs, can suit a variety of decors and leave room for personal interpretation, stimulating conversation among your guests.
Landscape Paintings can bring a bit of the natural world into your living space, creating an atmosphere of tranquility. They work well in a room with a peaceful, relaxed decor scheme.
Portrait Paintings can add a touch of sophistication and intrigue to your living room. Historical portraits, family portraits, or even celebrity portraits can reflect your interests and add a personal touch to the space.
Modern or Pop Art Paintings can inject an element of fun and energy into your living room. Bright colors, bold shapes, and contemporary subjects help create a lively, upbeat environment.
Still, Life Paintings can add a touch of elegance and refinement. Whether it’s a classic fruit bowl or a modern arrangement, these paintings work well with traditional decors.
Photorealistic Paintings are a great choice if you’re aiming to create a room that is rich in detail and texture. These pieces can add depth, dimension, and a touch of drama to your space.
It’s essential to choose a painting style that not only complements your living room decor but also resonates with your personal aesthetic. Remember, the right painting can elevate your living room and allow it to make a statement about your unique style.
Choosing Paintings Based on Mood or Theme

If you’re aiming to create a specific mood or theme with your living room decor, your choice of painting can significantly contribute to achieving that goal. Here’s how to match art with various common moods and themes:
Tranquil Mood: If you desire a calm and soothing environment, opt for paintings with cool color tones like blues and greens, or those depicting serene scenes like quiet lakes, rolling hills, or soft, abstract watercolors. Impressionist landscapes and minimalist art are excellent styles for this mood.
Vibrant Mood: For a lively and energetic atmosphere, consider paintings with bold, bright colors and dynamic compositions. Pop art, abstract expressionism, or modern art full of vibrant hues can invigorate your space.
Romantic Mood: To foster a romantic or cozy ambiance, look for paintings with warm color tones, soft lines, and intimate subjects. Styles like romantic realism or soft-focus impressionism can work wonderfully.
Sophisticated Mood: To achieve a sophisticated and elegant air, select pieces that exude refinement and class. Consider classical portraits, still life, or black-and-white photography.
Eclectic Mood: If you lean towards an eclectic vibe, mix and match different styles, periods, and subjects in your art. The guiding principle here is your personal taste and the joy of unexpected combinations.
Nature-themed Room: For a nature-themed room, opt for artwork that depicts wildlife, landscapes, or botanical art.
Modern-themed Room: For a modern or minimalist room, choose pieces that have clean lines, simple forms, and a pared-down color palette. Abstract or geometric art can complement this style.
Traditional-themed Room: In a traditional setting, consider classic genres such as landscape, portraiture, or still life, with frames that match your furniture style.
Your chosen theme or mood should guide your selection, but remember, art is subjective, and the most important thing is that you love the piece you choose!
How to Hang Your Painting

Once you’ve chosen your perfect painting, it’s essential to display it correctly to enhance its impact and protect its condition. Here are some tips on how to hang your painting effectively:
Location – The first thing to consider is to identify the ideal location for your painting. It might be over the mantle, above a sofa, or on a feature wall. The painting should be in proportion with its surroundings; a small painting can be lost on a large wall and vice versa.
Height – The center of your artwork should be at eye level, approximately 57-60 inches from the floor. This height is typically used in galleries and museums as it’s considered optimal for viewing art.
Lighting – Proper lighting is vital to showcase your painting. Use an adjustable spotlight or picture light for larger paintings. Natural light is best but avoid direct sunlight as it can fade colors over time.
Frame – If your painting isn’t already framed, consider getting it done professionally. The frame should complement both the artwork and your room’s decor. Remember, the frame isn’t merely decorative; it also serves to protect the artwork.
Hanging – Use two hooks or picture-hanging strips for stability, especially for larger pieces. Ensure your painting is level when hung.
Spacing – If hanging multiple pieces, maintain at least a 3-6 inch space between each to prevent the area from looking cluttered.
Symmetry – When hanging a group of paintings, create a symmetrical arrangement to achieve visual balance. Alternatively, an asymmetrical display can create a modern and dynamic effect.
Rotation – Consider rotating your paintings occasionally. This can refresh your space and allow all pieces to be appreciated over time.
Remember, the key to hanging paintings is to ensure they can be enjoyed and appreciated in the best possible way. It’s worth taking the time to hang your artwork properly to maximize its impact and enjoy your living room to its fullest.
Conclusion
Choosing the right painting for your living room can significantly influence the overall ambiance of your home. It’s a powerful décor element that can make your space vibrant, tranquil, romantic, or sophisticated, depending on the mood or theme you are aiming to create. Whether you’re drawn towards bright, contemporary art pieces, or you’re more inclined towards classic, still life paintings, your choice should resonate with your personal taste and aesthetic. It’s also crucial to consider the right way to hang and display your artwork, taking into account factors such as location, height, lighting, and frame. Remember, your living room is a reflection of your unique style and personality, and the art you choose should be a beautiful complement to that. After all, the most significant piece of art is the one that speaks to you profoundly and brings joy every time you look at it.