I’ve got a 3-in-1 post for you today: I’m sharing how to choose art prints for your home + a few of my favourite online sources + my growing wish list of recent finds. So, if you need to give your walls some love, I hope today’s blog provides you with plenty of ideas to get you started.
~The following contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure policy here.~
I’ve collected art for my home for several years. Some are thrifted, some are genuine art, but the vast majority are wall art prints that I’ve purchased online.
I’m keenly aware of how art on my walls make me feel. More than just a ‘pretty face,’ art tells a story, evokes a feeling, and creates a mood that has a ‘je ne sais quois’ quality I can’t quite define.
Art is both personal and yet something that you are consciously sharing with others the moment you invite people into your home (or invite them to stay overnight in your guest bedroom, like ours below).
It’s part of what makes art of any kind so appealing to own and to display on tables, pictures ledges, and on your walls, too!
While there is no set of rules for choosing the perfect prints for your home, here are some tips I’ve learned along the way.
USE YOUR GUT (aka, beauty is in the eye of the beholder)
If I see something that does not evoke feelings of joy or relaxation – something deep inside – I almost never buy it. (I say ‘almost’ because I’ve definitely made my fair share of impulse buys).
Don’t waste your time or money on something that you hope will ‘grow on you.’ It (almost) never does!
HOW I CHOOSE ART PRINTS
1. Choose Art Prints As You Choose Decor
Yes, I said it. I choose art prints to blend in with my interiors. Definitely not the advice that I’ve heard designers give, but it’s never let me down.
This means that my art prints always complement each room in some way by:
- Colour
- Shape
- Style
- Mood
Like a good carpet or table accessory, I like my wall art to feel like it ‘belongs’ in that space.
2. Choose Art Prints To Make a Bold Statement
Even while choosing art prints to blend in with my interiors, I also like to make a bold statement, too.
Whether it’s by creating a gallery wall like this one above our console table…
(Sources: 2 largest prints (50 X 70 cm): “Beautiful” / “Flow” / 2 second largest prints (31 X 41 cm): “Folds” / “Upside Down” / 2 smallest prints (20 X 25 cm): “Profile” / “Welcomeness”)
…OR this shelfie above the bed in our guest bedroom…
Grouping pieces together has big impact, but still blends in with my home’s colour palette.
(Print sources pictured above: “Movement” (I chose 12 X 16 inch) / “Target” (I chose 8 X 10 inch) / “Figures” (I chose 12 X 16 inch) / “Contemplation in White” ( I chose 16 X 20 inch) / “Blowing Grasses” (I chose 8 X 10 inch) + 60 inch Picture Ledge )
3. Choose Art Prints To Contrast Against Monotony
While I tend to choose pieces that blend in with my space, it’s also a good idea to play around with a bit of contrast to avoid monotony, whether it’s by colour, style or shape.
For example, in our dining area, we have this ornate, chestnut brown mirror on a chestnut brown buffet table – a LOT of brown – juxtaposed with these uber modern and very Scandi black and white framed posters.
(Pictured above: Posters & Frames: 1. Large ‘Brush Strokes’ Poster (50 X 70cm) and Frame (50 X 70cm) 2. Small ‘Dreamer’ (30 X 40cm) Poster and Frame (30 X 40cm) ).
For me, the black and white contrast beautifully against the rustic browns, while also connecting with the black, white, cream and wood tones found throughout the entire Great Room.
4. Size Matters
When selecting wall prints in your own home, think about each space separately. For example, a tight entryway or smaller bathroom can’t accommodate oversized wall art, while most living rooms can.
Here are some more sizing tips:
- Art that hangs above a sofa, console or bed, for example, looks best when it’s about two-thirds the length of the furniture beneath.
- Art looks best when it’s about 6-10 inches above the top edge of your furniture so that it doesn’t feel like its ‘floating’ too high above.
- When your art can’t fill a big space, group it with other pieces to create one large statement with a gallery wall.
- Consider the height of ceilings when choosing sizes. Generally-speaking, be sure it fills the space in length and width. The idea is that you don’t want your piece/pieces to appear as a tiny fish in a sea of wallspace!
My 5 Favourite Wall Print Sources
Looking for art prints for your home? My first go-to’s have typically been second-hand and discount goods stores like Home Sense here in Canada – similar to Home Goods in the US.
When I’ve exhausted local sources, I’ve gone online. Each of the sources below, ship internationally:
- Opposite Wall
- The Poster Store (Canadian site, International site)
- Minted
- I Am Fy
- Etsy
Shop My Latest Favourite Finds
Check out some of my latest, favourite finds online! Just click on any print below and you’ll be taken directly to the online site. Enjoy!
Happy decorating 🙂
If you enjoyed this post, check out these others from A Pretty Fix:
Want more style ideas? Check out the following how-to video from my YouTube Channel!
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