Living Room Wall Art

The living room is the heart of the home, and the art you choose is what gives it its soul. It’s the primary way to inject your personality into the space, set the overall mood, and create a finished, professionally designed look. A great piece of art can tie the entire room together, turning a collection of furniture into a cohesive and inviting home.

This is the most crucial placement in the living room, and scale is key. The ideal size for a single print or a set of prints is approximately two-thirds to three-quarters the width of your sofa. This ensures the art is large enough to create a powerful focal point and feels intentionally anchored to the furniture, rather than being too small and looking lost.

The best art is a reflection of the atmosphere you want to create. For a calm, serene, and relaxing living room, consider a large-scale minimalist landscape or an abstract piece with a soft, muted color palette. To create a space that feels energetic, vibrant, and perfect for socializing, a bold, colorful abstract or a dramatic graphic print is an excellent choice.

Both are fantastic options for a living room. A single, large statement piece is a confident, bold choice that creates an immediate and uncluttered focal point. It’s a simple way to make a high-impact design statement. A gallery wall is more personal and eclectic, allowing you to tell a story by combining various pieces. It can make a large wall feel more intimate and collected.

You have two great strategies. The first is to choose a piece that complements your existing decor by featuring similar colors to your sofa, cushions, or rug. This creates a harmonious and cohesive look. The second, more daring strategy is to choose a piece with a bold, contrasting color that introduces a new accent into the room, creating a dynamic and exciting focal point.

When hanging art above a sofa or console table, leave a gap of about 6-10 inches between the bottom of the frame and the top of the furniture. This connects the two visually. If hanging art on a blank wall, the center of the piece should be at standard eye level, which is around 57 inches (145 cm) from the floor. This is the most comfortable viewing height.

The living room is a social space, so choosing art that sparks conversation is a brilliant idea. Abstract art is arguably the best for this, as its meaning is open to interpretation, inviting guests to share what they see and feel. Interesting landscapes, bold graphic designs, or a unique set of prints can also serve as engaging topics that reflect your personal taste and interests.