How to Choose Wall Art for Your Space — Complete Guide | Olive et Oriel
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How to Choose Wall Art for Your Space — Complete Guide
Choosing wall art shouldn't feel overwhelming. With a clear process — measure, identify your style, choose your subject, pick your format — it becomes one of the most rewarding decisions you'll make in a room. This guide gives you that process, step by step, so you walk away with art you'll love for years.
Step 1: Measure Your Wall
Before anything else, get out the tape measure. Note the full width and height of your wall, then identify the zone where art will hang — above a sofa, above a bed, in an entry hallway. The art itself should span 60-75% of that wall's width for a balanced, intentional look.
Common Australian room configurations:
— Standard 3m wide living room: art or set spanning 140-180cm works well
— Queen bed headboard (153cm): art spanning 90-110cm sits beautifully above
— Hallway wall (120cm wide): a single 60x80cm or 50x70cm piece, centred
Write these numbers down before you browse. It transforms the experience from guesswork to certainty. See our dedicated wall art sizing guide for more detail.
Step 2: Identify Your Style
Your home already has a style — even if you haven't named it. Look for patterns: the furniture shapes, the materials, the colours you gravitate toward. Most Australian homes fall into one of these categories:
- → Coastal / Hamptons: white, oak, linen — florals, beach art, soft abstracts
- → Contemporary / Minimalist: clean lines, greys — bold abstracts, monochrome
- → Boho / Eclectic: rattan, macramé — botanicals, warm abstracts, earth tones
- → Scandi / Japandi: oak, stone, muted tones — minimal line art, soft botanicals
- → Australiana / Nature: timber, stone — native flora, landscapes, earthy tones
Every piece is produced at our two manufacturing facilities on of NSW — crafting Australian wall art since 2015. We deliver to over 40 countries worldwide, with custom sizing available on all prints. Over a decade of experience, every order ships within 24 hours with our satisfaction guarantee.
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Step 3: Choose Your Subject Matter
Subject matter is deeply personal — but there are practical guidelines. Botanicals and florals are the most universally loved because they bring life and softness to any room. Abstract art works in almost any contemporary setting and is particularly forgiving across different colour palettes. Coastal and landscape art suits Australian homes naturally — and connects the indoor space to the wider landscape.
Think about what you want the room to feel like. Energising and vibrant? Choose bold abstract prints with strong movement. Peaceful and restful? Choose soft florals or muted botanicals. Connected to place? Australian native art and coastal photography tell a distinctly local story.
If you're unsure, choose a curated set — the subject matter is already unified, and the palette is pre-matched. It removes the hardest part of the decision entirely.
Step 4: Choose Your Format
Olive et Oriel offers three formats — each with a distinct purpose:
Unframed Art Prints: The most affordable option. You provide your own frame, or display unframed in a poster clip. Ideal for renters, minimalists, or those with existing frames they love. Printed on 310gsm archival fine art paper — exceptional quality.
Framed Art Prints: Ready to hang within minutes of arrival. OEO frames come in oak, walnut, black and white — all with UV-protective acrylic glass. The most popular choice for buyers wanting a complete, polished result.
Canvas Prints: Gallery-wrapped over a 38mm timber frame. No glass, no reflections. Adds depth and texture — particularly well-suited to abstract, floral and landscape subjects. Suits contemporary and organic interior styles.
Common Mistakes — And How to Avoid Them
Hanging art too high. The centre of your art should sit at eye level — approximately 145-150cm from the floor. This is the most common mistake in Australian homes, and the easiest to fix.
Choosing art that's too small. If you're between sizes, go larger. A piece that feels bold in isolation will often feel perfectly proportioned on the wall. Art that's too small looks forgotten rather than intentional.
Not considering the room as a whole. Pull your furniture colour swatches, flooring samples and paint colours together before browsing. Art that's chosen in context almost always works better than art chosen independently.
Buying without measuring. This is the most fixable mistake — and the most common. Take five minutes to measure before you browse. It transforms guesswork into confidence. Visit our wall art guide for more room-by-room inspiration.
Browse: All Art Prints · Canvas · Framed Prints · Curated Sets
Creating a Gallery Wall
A gallery wall is one of the most impactful things you can do with a large wall — but it needs planning. Start by choosing a theme: all one artist, all one colour palette, or all one subject. Then choose a layout: grid (all same-sized frames), salon-style (mixed sizes), or linear (a horizontal or vertical row).
Lay your selection out on the floor first. Photograph it from above. Then cut paper templates of each piece and tape them to the wall before committing to holes. Aim for 5-8cm between frames — tighter spacing reads as intentional; wider spacing can feel disconnected. Olive et Oriel's curated sets are pre-matched and sized for gallery walls — they take the guesswork out entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know what style of wall art suits my home?
Look at your existing furniture and decor. Clean lines and minimal clutter suggests a contemporary or Scandi aesthetic — abstract or minimal art works well. Lots of natural textures and plants leans boho or coastal — florals and organic abstract prints are ideal. See our full interior design styles guide for more detail.
What is the most popular wall art format?
Unframed art prints are the most flexible — you can choose your own frame or display unframed. Framed prints are the most popular for buyers wanting a complete, ready-to-hang solution. Canvas suits more textural, organic work and frameless spaces.
How do I avoid buying wall art that's too small?
Art should cover 60-75% of the wall width it anchors. Above a sofa, aim for 60-70% of the sofa's width. When in doubt, go one size larger than you think. See our complete sizing guide.
Do OEO curated sets come in different sizes?
Yes. All Olive et Oriel curated sets are available in multiple size options, and each print in a set is sized to complement the others.
How do I create a gallery wall?
Start with your largest piece as the centrepiece. Build outward, maintaining 5-8cm gaps between frames. Lay it out on the floor first, photograph it, then transfer to the wall. Use paper templates taped to the wall to confirm placement before hammering any nails.
