Before You Buy Art: A Practical Guide to Size, Colour and Style

How to Choose Artwork for Your Home. Download the free guide.

Choosing artwork can be difficult when you’re unsure about the size, colours or style that will suit your room. A useful starting point is to consider the space, what you enjoy looking at, and how you want the room to feel.

Here are a few practical steps to help you choose.

Start with what you enjoy

Think about the subjects you are drawn to: flowers, landscapes, abstract shapes or places that hold a memory. You don’t need to know about art to recognise something you would enjoy living with.

Consider the room too. You might prefer a quiet landscape in your bedroom, a colourful floral in your living room, or an abstract painting beside your desk.

Measure before you buy

Measure the wall and any furniture beneath it. Check the artwork’s full dimensions, including its frame.

Above a sofa or sideboard, a piece around two-thirds the furniture’s width can be a useful starting point. Adjust this to suit the room, leaving enough space around the artwork.

Try marking the proposed size on the wall with removable painter’s tape, checking first that it is suitable for your wall finish. This helps you see whether the artwork will feel too small, too large or comfortably placed.

For a group of artworks, consider the overall width of the arrangement, including the gaps between pieces.

Look at the colours already in the room

Notice the colours in your walls, furniture, curtains and flooring. Artwork can repeat one or two of those colours, or introduce a different colour that becomes a focal point.

It doesn’t need to match every furnishing. Choose a piece you like, then consider how its colours work with the space.

Consider the surface and frame

An original painting offers the texture and brushwork of the artist’s hand. A paper or canvas print provides another way to enjoy the artwork, with different size and framing options.

Think about how the frame will sit alongside your furniture and other finishes. Also check the display location for direct sunlight, moisture and nearby heat before hanging your piece.

How lighting can affect the appearance.

Consider a commissioned painting

If you have a particular subject, size or colour palette in mind, a commissioned painting may suit your space. It can also capture something personal, such as a favourite landscape, meaningful flowers or your bridal bouquet.

At Nehara Creations, I create original paintings, art prints and commissioned artwork for homes and businesses. My work includes florals, landscapes and abstracts inspired by nature.

Plan your choice with my free guide

To help you put these ideas into practice, I’ve created How to Choose Artwork for Your Home.

The free guide includes a 10-Minute Artwork Planner and an Artwork Size Cheat Sheet, giving you a practical starting point before you shop or enquire about a commission.

Sign up to receive the free guide: How to Choose Artwork for Your Home.

Written by Nehara, artist behind Nehara Creations.

The free 23-page guide includes an Artwork Size Cheat Sheet and a 10-Minute Artwork Planner