Before settling on a print, evaluate the physical aspects of your space to ensure the artwork fits and functions harmoniously.
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Measure everything – Measure the height and width of the wall, the furniture beneath it and the distance between architectural elements like windows and door frames. A good rule of thumb is that art above a sofa or console table should span roughly two‑thirds of the furniture’s width. For tight hallways or staircases, opt for smaller vertical works or series of prints that elongate the space.
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Consider orientation and viewpoint – Tall, vertical pieces draw the eye upward, making low‑ceilinged rooms feel taller. Wide panoramic prints suit expansive walls and can visually widen narrow rooms. Also think about how close viewers will be; art in a hallway deserves finer detail because people pass by at close range, whereas a large canvas in a living room can be appreciated from across the room.
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Assess light exposure – Natural and artificial light will affect how colours appear and how well you can see detail. Bright, sun‑drenched rooms can support bold colours and high contrast; dimly lit corners may call for lighter tones or metallic accents that reflect ambient light. If the wall receives direct sunlight, consider UV‑protective glazing when framing to prevent fading.
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Choose the right medium – Paper prints offer a matte finish and suit frames with glass or acrylic, while canvas prints add texture and can be hung without glass for a more contemporary look. Metallic or acrylic face‑mounted prints provide glossy finishes that amplify colour and detail.
Match Art to the Room’s Function
Every room in your house has its own purpose and ambience. Choose art that enhances that function rather than clashes with it.
Living Room – Make a Statement and Foster Conversation
The living room is both a social hub and a reflection of your tastes. Select a statement piece that commands attention: a large abstract painting, a dramatic landscape or a striking photographic print. Use the artwork’s palette to echo or contrast existing accent colours; for example, tie in hues from your cushions or rug, or introduce a new accent shade to enliven a neutral space. If your living area features multiple seating zones, anchor each with its own artwork to create visual coherence.
Bedroom – Create a Personal Sanctuary
A bedroom should feel like a retreat. Look for prints that evoke calm and serenity—think watercolour seascapes, softly blurred botanical photography or minimalistic line drawings. Cool blues and greens lower heart rates and promote relaxation, while muted earth tones can create a cosy cocoon. Hang art at eye level when sitting or lying in bed to ensure it’s soothing rather than stimulating.
Kitchen & Dining – Stir Appetite and Memory
Kitchens and dining rooms are multisensory spaces where you prepare and share food. Art with culinary themes—vintage fruit illustrations, herb diagrams, artisanal food photography—brings warmth and familiarity. Nostalgic prints such as retro café posters or depictions of markets can evoke memories of travels or family recipes. Create a linear arrangement of small artworks above a bench seat or build a gallery wall of recipe‑inspired prints to make the space feel curated yet homey.
Home Office & Kids’ Rooms – Inspire, Educate and Motivate
In a home office, art should inspire focus and creativity. Landscapes or architectural photography with depth can encourage expansive thinking, while typography prints featuring meaningful quotes keep you motivated. In children’s rooms, select playful yet enduring art. Alphabet or numbers prints, friendly animal illustrations and nature motifs stimulate young imaginations without dating too quickly. Use vibrant colours to energise study corners or soft pastels to calm sleeping areas.
Create Cohesion with Colour and Style
Colour and style unify your rooms and convey mood. Thoughtful choices ensure your art feels integrated rather than tacked on.
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Employ the 60‑30‑10 rule – Use 60 % of a dominant colour, 30 % of a secondary colour and 10 % of an accent colour in each room. The art falls into the accent category, so treat it as your chance to inject personality. In a soft, neutral bedroom, a print with terracotta or blush accents can serve as your 10 % accent and tie in a throw blanket or cushion.
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Decide between harmony and contrast – If your room already has a defined palette, choose art that complements those colours. For example, in a sage‑green and natural‑wood kitchen, art featuring green botanical prints or earthy tones will blend seamlessly. On the other hand, a minimalist white living space might benefit from a bold abstract with pops of cobalt or burnt orange, acting as the statement piece that catches the eye.
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Mix media and genres – To create a curated feel, don’t limit yourself to one type of art. Pair photographic prints with painterly canvases, mix monochrome line drawings with colourful abstracts or incorporate a sculptural wall hanging. This layered approach adds depth and sophistication.
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Balance patterns and solids – If your furniture and rugs are heavily patterned, choose art with solid forms or minimal detail to avoid visual overload. Conversely, a solid-colour sofa can support a dynamic, patterned artwork.
Personal Connection and Narrative
Art gains depth when it connects to your experiences and values.
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Curate a story wall – Dedicate a wall to prints that represent meaningful places, hobbies or milestones. A series of prints depicting cities you’ve visited, musicians you love or natural landscapes you dream about forms a narrative only you can tell.
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Support local talent – Choosing limited‑edition prints from Australian artists or indigenous creators ensures your home features unique pieces. It also fosters a personal connection to your country’s artistic heritage. Olive et Oriel collaborates with local artists to produce prints with authentic narratives and cultural resonance.
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Rotate seasonally – Changing your artwork with the seasons keeps your home feeling fresh. Display vibrant florals or seascapes in spring and summer, then swap to muted landscapes or abstract pieces in autumn and winter. Rotating prints also extends their lifespan by limiting prolonged exposure to light.
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Pass art down – Think of art as an heirloom. Investing in archival-quality prints and proper framing ensures pieces can be enjoyed by future generations. Teach children about caring for art so they appreciate these treasures.
Examples from Olive et Oriel’s Collection
To see how these principles play out, here are three prints from Olive et Oriel that illustrate different styles and room pairings.
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Shell by Shatha Al Dafai – This print features a stylised shell rendered in neutral browns against a dark backdrop. Its simple geometry and natural motif make it perfect for coastal or bohemian‑inspired living rooms, entryways or bathrooms. Pair it with seagrass baskets, linen upholstery and textured neutrals for a calm, organic loo
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Calypso I – Warm terracotta and cocoa tones, combined with palm fronds and an organic arch, give this print a cosy, grounded feel. Earthy hues like browns and burnt oranges convey stability and comfort making Calypso I well‑suited to dining rooms or reading nooks that need warmth. Pair with cane furniture, woven pendants and desert‑inspired décor.
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Crab Mirror Dance – A playful symmetrical crab motif rendered in rich ochres and browns. Its graphic nature makes it ideal for spaces that need a quirky focal point, such as a kitchen, powder room or children’s playroom. Because the design is centrally balanced, it holds its own even on a small wall. Complement it with simple accessories and let the artwork shine.
Conclusion – Turn Blank Walls into a Reflection of You
Selecting art prints for your home is an intentional process that blends practical considerations with emotional resonance. By measuring your space, matching art to each room’s function, harmonising colour and style, and choosing pieces that tell your unique story, you can transform blank walls into a gallery that reflects who you are. Thoughtfully chosen prints anchor rooms, spark conversation and bring joy each time you look at them. Explore our full range of coastal photographic prints, earth‑toned abstracts and playful graphic art to start curating your own collection.
