How to Choose the Right Art for Your Space
- CamelliaArtNews
- Apr 16
- 3 min read
(Our Quick Size, Style & Placement Guide)
Choosing art for your home doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. The right piece can completely transform a room. But the wrong size, placement, or style can make even the most beautiful artwork feel out of place.
But, some good news: we have a few simple tips and tricks that make the process much easier!
Whether you’re working with a blank wall or trying to style above a bed or fireplace, here’s how to choose art that works perfectly in your space.
TIP 1: START WITH SIZE FIRST
One of the most common mistakes people make is choosing artwork that’s too small for the space.
As a rule of thumb:
Art above furniture should be about 2/3 of the width of the piece below it.
ie: if your couch is 80" long, the piece above it should be around 52"-54" wide. Can a custom frame help you achieve that width? Yes-- but more to come on that!
For large and focal point walls, you can go bigger than you think—you want the art to anchor the space
Quick examples:
Above a sofa → large horizontal piece or a pair
Above a console → medium to large piece or grouped artwork
Narrow wall → vertical or stacked pieces
If it feels too small, it probably is.
TIP 2: MATCH THE ART TO THE FURNITURE
Your furniture and art are parts from the same whole- they should compliment each other- in style, scale, and intention. (Again, the goal is balance, not perfect matching.)
Here's what I mean:
Living rooms/ over couch → horizontal or oversized art/ grouping
Bedrooms → calming, balanced pieces
Dining rooms → large statements or conversation-starting art
Entryways → eye-catching first impression pieces
TIP 3: CONSIDER LIGHT, WINDOWS & GLARE
Lighting changes everything.
Sunlight can beautifully enhance the textures and colors in your art—but avoid direct sunlight on valuable pieces!
Use UV-protective glass when framing art to hang near windows
Take note of any glare on under-glass art. If the glare makes the piece is impossible to view or it's just too annoying, consider switching the glass out for a better, non-reflective option.
TIP 4: HEIGHT MATTERS
A good place to start:
Hang art so the center is about 57–60 inches from the floor-- this is considered "eye level"
this is only a suggestion because another common mistake is hanging art too high.
When styling above furniture:
Leave 6–10 inches between the furniture and the bottom of the artwork.
This goes back to the idea of your furniture and art being two halves- too much space in between will keep them from working as well together.
TIP 5: COLORS & STYLE
Selecting art for your home should be about what you enjoy and what pieces speak to you. Your collection doesn't need to “match” your space, but it should feel intentional.
A few approaches:
Pull similar tones or finishes from the room (not exact matches)
Art can create balance or a focal point- it's up to you to decide what it's purpose will be.
Choose pieces you connect with—not just what fits the color scheme
SECTION 6: TRUST YOUR INSTINCT (WITH GUIDANCE)
With all of this said, art collection is personal. The right piece should feel like it belongs in your space—not just visually, but emotionally.
If you’re unsure, we can help you! We do more than just display art and build frames. All of this is still our wheelhouse:
visualize scale, balance, colors, placement, and styles
narrow down options
avoid expensive mistakes with inappropriate sizes or inadequate mounting and framing
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