Selecting the best wall art for your home

Investing in wall art is one of the easiest ways to add some personality to your home. Empty walls look boring and won’t give that homey vibe. However, well-chosen art can completely transform the look and feel of your home. They create stunning points of interest on blank walls while pulling the space together and making your home more inviting.

Knowing which pieces to choose is one of the biggest challenges faced by people looking to revamp their décor with wall art. With so many options available on the market, finding stylish wall art for your home could be challenging. If you're struggling to find new wall art for your bedroom, living room, hallway, or any other space, this guide will give you a simple rundown on what to look for before making a purchase.

What material should you choose for your wall art?

Purchasing a wall art that matches your personal and décor theme is not all about selecting the image itself. You also need to take into account the material your art is painted on. Below, we look at the various materials available for your wall art.

Canvas wall art

Canvas is the most popular and versatile material for wall art. They add warmth, beauty, and texture to your space. Canvas paintings can be framed or stretched on a wooden frame and stapled at the back. They have the classic look of an oil painting, which enhances the beauty of traditional spaces. The versatility of canvas means they will look great for many years as your decorating taste changes. Canvas framed prints are also lightweight and easy to hand. However, they are not tearproof, so they may not be the best option for homes with pets and marauding kids.

Wood wall art

Wood is another great choice for wall art. It adds a rustic vibe to your space. These paintings have a special design that reveals the wood grains through images for a unique look. For a woodsy feel and look in your room, wood wall art is the perfect piece for you. Prints are usually mounted on wood or modified-density fiberboard (MDF). It's, however, important to keep in mind that due to the nature of wood, white colors may not print but rather show through the wood grain.

Metal wall art

This modern wall art style often features radiant colors and a lustrous finish. Metal wall arts are great for adding a pop of brilliant colors to your space. These wall arts are also durable, resistant to scratches and dents, and weather resistant, making them the perfect choice for long-term signage. You can choose metal wall art in different finishes to suit your styling needs.

Acrylic wall art

Wall art made from acrylic adds a modern and minimalistic feel to a space. This material brings art to life with its stylish lines and a unique translucent look. Images printed on acrylic are sharp and clear, and the high gloss of acrylic sheets works well with the rich colors of images to produce amazing results. In addition, acrylic creates a 3D effect by reflecting a beam of light within its surface. This makes it a good choice for displaying nature images.

Choosing the right wall art size

Determining what wall art size you need is just as important as choosing the right material. Even the best art pieces can look awkward when the size doesn't suit your space. Whether you’re decorating an empty wall above your sofa, a large wall on your stairway, or a blank wall in your living room, you want to choose a wall art size that's just right for your room. 

Too big and your space will look overcrowded – too small and the space will look incomplete. Here are basic guidelines on how to choose the correct wall art size.

• Wall art should take up about 75% of the empty wall space. This refers to space that is not covered by moldings or furniture. Measure the height and width of your wall and multiply by 0.60 and 0.75. For example, if you have a black wall measuring 3m by 1.5m, you'll multiply that by 0.6 and 0.75. So, the ideal size for your wall art will be 1.8 – 2.25m by 0.9 – 1.1m.

• When hanging the wall art over a piece of furniture, such as a couch, fireplace, or bed, ensure its two-thirds or three-quarters of the width of the furniture. For example, if your sofa is 1.8m wide, multiply that by 0.66 and 0.75. So, if a wall art is 1.3m and 1.35m, it would perfectly fit above the sofa.

If you're unsure which size to choose, go for a size bigger than your initial estimate. Sometimes, bigger is better when it comes to art. Well-proportioned large wall art can transform your space and deliver the desired look.

What style should you choose?

When shopping for wall art, the objective should be finding a piece that enhances your room, not distract it. Let's look at the best wall art for different interior design styles.

Industrial

The industrial look is characterized by strong, simple furnishings. Geometric prints in monochrome or rich colors will work well for these spaces. Wall art made from metal would particularly make great choices for industrial-style spaces.

Modern

The paired-back look of geometric prints makes the perfect choice for modern spaces. You can also choose a monochrome poster. Modern wall art brings a fresh sense of style and flair to a space. Decoration in modern art takes many forms, but a few styles have become popular in the recent past. These include abstract metal wall art inspired by mid-century designs and abstract prints, canvas, and metal designs.

Retro

Magazine covers and vintage maps work well in retro-style space. Botanical vintage art featuring leaves, flowers, and other natural elements would make great choices for retro-style settings. You can also mix retro-style décor with a modern interior. Introducing a monochrome color palette is a great way to make your look modern.

Scandinavian

For a Scandinavian-style room, choose wall art in classic Scandinavian colors like grey, mustard, and pink. The advantage of Scandi wall art is that it works well with most home décor choices. Even if you have a rustic living room, you can add some scandi pieces of artwork to create a rustic-scandi hybrid space.

How to shop a new wall art by room

Besides all the factors mentioned above, you also need to keep in mind the wall art placement. You can purchase wall art based on where you want to place it. Do you want to place it in the entryway, dining room, or living room? Below, we look at the various wall art options you can choose depending on the room you want to decorate.

Living room

When you think of artwork, the first thing that comes to mind is the living room. This space allows you to explore your creative side and make a statement with wall art. You can choose something welcoming or calm or wild and daring. The living room is where you spend most of the time with your family, friends, and guests. So, maintain a theme that brings out your personality and beliefs.

Dining room

For the dining room, choose a classic and straightforward artwork that looks like other pieces in your living room. You can select pieces that are upholstered or made from wood. These options will match your existing home décor pieces.

Bedroom

The bedroom is the best place to let your imagination run freely. This is the perfect space to bring out your unique personality by incorporating different colors and designs of artwork. It's also where you spend significant time relaxing, so you need wall art that reflects those feelings. You can highlight different areas in the room by adding a painting or canvas above the space to attract attention. You can also add bright wall art above a dresser to elevate the look of the space.

Entryway

The entryway is often overlooked when it comes to decorating a home. Placing a wall art in the entryway is a great way to give the space a quick makeover. You can also add a subtle canvas with a modern design and neutral hue. A gallery wall would also look great in an entryway.

How to care for your wall art

Like other pieces in your home, wall art is at risk of damage if not properly cared for. You must learn how to clean and maintain your wall art to keep it in good condition for years. Here are a few care tips to keep in mind.

• Keep your wall art away from direct sunlight

Wall art tends to fade when exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods. You may have the best wood art, but exposing it to sunlight will make it fade faster than you thought. Canvas also cracks and tears when exposed to sunlight.

• Remove dust from your wall art

It’s also important to keep your canvas wall art clean by dusting it regularly. Use a soft rag to remove dust that could easily build up on the piece and eventually damage it. If possible, create a cleaning schedule to help keep your wall art in perfect condition.

• Don't hang in high-traffic areas

Placing your wall art in busy areas will get them damaged quickly. If the artwork is constantly disturbed, its rate of wear and tear will be accelerated. Find walls that have little or no traffic to hand your wall art. Probably behind the couch.

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