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The living room is often the heart of the home, where loved ones and family members gather to create memorable moments. This makes it a prime place to hang wall art for all to enjoy amid laughter, heart-to-heart chats and rousing game nights.
So why does it take many of us a long time to place living room wall art? In some cases, it’s a matter of procrastination. For others, there’s trepidation when it comes to this important task. And still others just need some inspiration to jump start the process. Regardless of your situation, Minted is here to help you choose living room art like a pro.
Keep reading for tips on wall art placement, how to complement existing furniture and decor colors, and how to choose art if you haven’t already. Today’s the day you take that final step toward decorating your home.
A general rule of thumb is that artwork should be placed at eye level. Given that most people will be sitting in the living room, artwork should naturally be placed lower. With this in mind, the question becomes: where exactly do you hang your living room wall decor? The short answer is, it all depends on the layout of your living room and configuration of your furniture. Here’s some living room wall art placement inspiration.
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The sofa is a focal point in the living room, so consider showcasing art above it. A good rule of thumb is that the bottom of your living room wall decor should be about one hand’s width above the couch. This way your art complements the sofa and doesn’t hang too high above it. Follow The Spruce’s measurement guidance so your placement is perfect.
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Looking for an unexpected spot to place art? Consider hanging living room wall art by your end tables to delight guests. Whether they’re reaching for the phone they perched on the table or the glass of wine they’re enjoying, seeing art hung above, around or near end tables is a beautiful touch.
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Let there be light! Paintings for living room walls deserve a spotlight, so why not make it a natural one? Hanging art near windows means your art will get extra attention when rays of sunlight stream in. A variety of placements will work near windows. Get creative! Depending on the height of your windows, hang art above or below them. Consider hanging a large format attention grabbing piece next to or opposite the window, ensuring the size of the piece complements the size of the window.
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Interior design pros love to place living room artwork above the mantle because it gets extra attention. If you’re looking to hang decor that’s proportionate to the mantle, look for a piece that is the same size as the fireplace opening. Or, purposely go for large art for living room spaces.
The mantle is the perfect place to make a statement! Hang art on the wall or try propping it on the mantle itself.
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If your living room layout includes a stairway, think of this as the perfect place for a gallery wall. Placement along the staircase provides an intriguing connection between the floors of your home and can create a flow. Text Minted a photo of your wall and our pros will help you with your gallery wall styling.
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Because wall art is often the final decorating touch, you’ll probably have to work with existing furniture and decor colors. Whether decorating the walls is the final touch on your new living room or it’s part of a refresh on an existing space, here are some tips to follow.
Looking at the visual weight of your furniture and art is important so the eye can scan a space comfortably. Without taking existing furniture into consideration, you may end up with a layout that feels disjointed.
If you desire a traditional look, consider art that is two-thirds the size of the piece of furniture you’re looking to complement, for a symmetrical look. Also consider chic wall art sets that are perfect for this look. If you’re going for amore eclectic look go with asymmetrical art layouts. Lay out a funky gallery wall to the side of your bookcase to add an unusual area of interest.
The same rules apply when considering the style of furniture you have. For instance, if you’re looking for the best art prints for black leather sofas, consider living room canvas art. It will provide a texture contrast that is striking. If you’re curious to find the best wall art for above velvet sitting chairs, explore large living room wall decor that’ll mix the regal velvet with a hint of modern. If your furniture includes a good amount of dark wood, look to frame your art with lighter colors to offset it.
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When selecting artwork, look for pieces that tie into the existing color scheme of your living room. You can start by using the common hues in your furniture and decor to guide your artwork picks. For instance, there may be colors woven into an existing rug or lamp shades that you want to repeat in your artwork. Another approach is to find a statement piece that introduces a new accent color. Play with the color palette to find the right vibe.
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Your living room wall painting should work with existing design elements to tell a cohesive story. Take crown moldings, shelves, windows, and other artistic accessories into account before you place your art and work with what you have. For instance, you may have a window or bookshelf you want to hang a painting from to tie things together. Or, you may arrange a piece of wall art along with existing wall decor such as clocks, plates, and hanging plants.
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With so many creative ideas out there, displaying wall art for your space might seem overwhelming. Have no fear! Follow our simple guide to get started.
By now you can probably see there aren’t many rules when it comes to living room wall art. It is largely personal as to how you hang it! So whether you consider this a calling or a challenge, there are several places you can start sourcing your art from. Gather any existing pieces you have and move on to Minted for pieces to supplement your walls.
And if you’re looking for inspiration for other rooms in your house, check out Minted’s article on how to choose the right art for every room in your home.
How to understand different mediums and techniques used to create wall art. Read more.
What you need to know about color when selecting artwork for your home. Read more.
This art styling consists of works arranged on different panels or surfaces intended to be displayed together. Read more.
We uncover design genius through ongoing design competitions. At Minted, all that matters is good design. Designers submit, and the Minted community votes to tell us what to sell.
