Want art prints that truly fit your style? Follow these 8 tips to pick pieces that reflect your personality and transform your space.
- Find Your Style: Identify colors, themes, and vibes that resonate with you (e.g., minimal, boho, or vintage).
- Pick the Right Material: Choose from canvas, acrylic, or metal based on durability and room lighting.
- Choose a Theme: Match prints to your room’s mood - bohemian for warmth or celestial for sophistication.
- Size and Frame: Measure wall space (cover two-thirds of it), and select frames that complement your decor.
- Plan Placement: Hang prints at eye level and arrange them thoughtfully for balance.
- Balance Cost and Quality: Set a budget and look for affordable, high-quality options like handmade or eco-friendly prints.
- Make It Personal: Pick art that reflects your passions, hobbies, or memories.
- Shop Smart: Buy from trusted sellers with good reviews and clear policies.
Quick Tip: Start with what you love, and let your art tell your story while enhancing your home’s atmosphere.
1. Find Your Style
Let your personality guide your choices instead of chasing trends that come and go.
Identify What Speaks to You
Take a closer look at your current decor and personal preferences. What colors, patterns, or themes catch your eye? Maybe you’re drawn to earthy tones, bold geometric shapes, or vintage-inspired pieces. Think about whether your style leans toward minimalism, a more eclectic vibe, or something in between. Consider the atmosphere you want your space to create - calm and serene, lively and energetic, or cozy and inviting.
Use Your Surroundings for Ideas
Your favorite items and interests can offer great clues about your style. For example, if you’re into photography, black-and-white prints might be your go-to. Love plants? Botanical illustrations could be a perfect match. Let your hobbies and passions shape the art you choose for your space.
Once you’ve zeroed in on your style, it’s time to select art prints that fit seamlessly into your home.
2. Pick the Right Type of Art Print
Choosing the right material for your art print is key to achieving the look and feel you want. Let’s break down the options and what to keep in mind.
Understand Print Materials
The material you pick affects both the visual appeal and how long the print lasts. Here’s a quick comparison:
Material | Pros | Things to Consider |
---|---|---|
Canvas | Timeless appearance, budget-friendly, works well in classic spaces | Can fade in bright light, less durable |
Acrylic | Polished finish, UV protection, great for modern interiors | Costs more |
Metal | Stylish, long-lasting, ideal for contemporary designs | Might not fit every decor style |
If your space gets a lot of natural sunlight, go with UV-resistant options like acrylic or metal to prevent fading. Canvas prints are better suited for dimly lit spaces where preservation isn’t as big of a concern.
Align Prints with the Room’s Mood
Think about the room’s purpose and style when selecting your art. Consider factors like lighting, furniture, and how the room is used. Prints in sunny rooms need UV-resistant materials, while softer lighting gives you more flexibility. Match the material to the decor - sleek acrylic or metal works well with modern furniture, while canvas fits more traditional setups. For busy areas, pick something durable; quieter spaces can handle more delicate prints.
Once you’ve nailed the material, you can move on to selecting themes that reflect your personal style.
3. Pick a Theme That Fits
The theme you choose for your art prints sets the tone for your space and helps showcase your personality. Whether you lean toward earthy boho vibes or the mystique of celestial designs, picking a theme ensures your artwork feels personal and ties the room together.
Bohemian Prints for a Cozy Touch
Bohemian prints are all about warm tones, floral details, geometric shapes, and natural textures. They bring an inviting, artistic feel to any room.
When picking boho prints, think about your room's color scheme. If your walls are neutral, go for prints with bold, contrasting colors to make them pop. On the other hand, if your decor is already colorful, stick to softer earth tones to keep things balanced.
Celestial-Themed Art for a Sophisticated Look
Celestial prints add a touch of elegance and work beautifully in spaces like bedrooms, home offices, or even kids' rooms. To pull off this theme, stick to a consistent color palette. Cool hues like deep blues or silvers create a calming effect, while minimalist designs fit perfectly in modern interiors.
Decide between intricate designs or simpler ones based on your style. Bigger prints make a statement, while smaller ones are ideal for gallery walls or cozy corners.
Once you've nailed down your theme, it’s time to focus on getting the right size and frame to complete the look.
4. Get the Right Size and Frame
The size and frame you choose play a big role in how your art looks and feels in a space. Let’s break down how to make these decisions.
Measure for the Right Size
Your artwork should ideally take up about two-thirds of the wall space it’s on. This helps it fit well with nearby furniture and avoids clashing with things like switches or vents. In larger rooms, go for bigger prints to make a statement. Horizontal prints work well above wide furniture like sofas, while vertical prints can make narrow areas, such as hallways, feel taller [1].
The format you choose also matters. Horizontal prints create a sense of width and openness, vertical prints add height, and square prints are perfect for modern layouts or gallery walls. Keep in mind the viewing distance - larger rooms usually require bigger prints to maintain their visual appeal.
Choose the Right Frame
A frame should complement your art while keeping the overall look balanced. Opt for a frame slightly larger than the print to allow for matting, which adds a polished touch. Here are some tips to guide your choice:
- Frame style: Sleek, simple frames suit modern spaces, while more decorative frames can work well in traditional rooms [2].
- Matting: This adds a sophisticated touch and helps balance proportions.
- Frame width: Make sure the frame’s width matches the size of your print.
If you’re displaying multiple prints together, stick to consistent framing styles and leave enough space between frames for a neat, organized look [2]. For themed art, think about how the frame enhances the vibe - simple frames can highlight the elegance of celestial art, while rustic frames are a great match for boho designs.
Once you’ve nailed the size and frame, you’re ready to arrange your prints for the best effect.
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5. Plan Placement and Display
You've picked the ideal size and frame for your art prints - now it's time to figure out where and how to display them for the best effect.
Make the Art Stand Out
A carefully positioned art print can transform a room’s vibe. Hang your artwork at 57 inches from the floor (average eye level) and leave 6-12 inches of space between the bottom of the print and nearby furniture to keep things balanced [3]. If you're placing art above furniture, aim for it to cover about two-thirds of the furniture’s width for a pleasing proportion [1]. Smart placement not only elevates the room’s look but also highlights your personal style.
Think about how people move through the space. Position your art where it’s easily seen from main entry points to make it a true focal piece.
Arrange Multiple Prints with Style
If you're working with more than one print, focus on creating a layout that feels balanced. For gallery walls, leave 2-3 inches between frames on larger walls. Above furniture, space prints 4-6 inches apart in a horizontal row. On narrow walls, stack them vertically with 3-4 inches of space between each frame [4].
For gallery walls, odd-numbered groupings often feel more dynamic. Start with the largest piece as the centerpiece, then build around it [1]. Spread out colors and weights evenly - placing darker or heavier-looking pieces toward the bottom can help ground the arrangement [1].
If you want a modern touch, try a salon-style arrangement. This involves hanging prints in a less structured, asymmetrical way while maintaining an overall sense of harmony through thoughtful spacing and alignment. It’s a great option when mixing prints of different sizes and orientations [4].
Once your placement is sorted, you can move on to ensuring your art choices fit your budget and values.
6. Balance Cost and Quality
Getting great art prints without breaking the bank is all about smart planning and making thoughtful choices.
Set a Budget That Fits
Allocate your budget wisely - invest more in standout pieces for main areas and opt for budget-friendly options for gallery walls or less prominent spaces. Here's a simple breakdown:
Print Category | Suggested Budget | Ideal Locations |
---|---|---|
Statement Pieces | $75-150 | Living rooms, dining areas |
Medium Prints | $40-75 | Bedrooms, offices |
Small Prints | $20-40 | Gallery walls, shelves |
Don’t forget to include framing costs, which can range from $20 to $100 per piece. To save money, you might want to buy unframed prints and frame them later as your budget allows.
Explore Sustainable and Handmade Options
Beyond sticking to your budget, think about the environmental footprint and originality of your art. Many independent artists and small businesses offer eco-friendly options at reasonable prices. For instance, OMG Kitty, a UK-based shop, sells high-quality giclée prints starting at $24.
Look for features like:
- Recycled or bamboo-based materials
- Plant-based inks
- Locally crafted prints
- Made-to-order options to minimize waste
Artists often run sales or offer bundle deals, making it easier to build your collection without overspending. Signing up for newsletters can also help you catch discounts and discover new releases.
Once you've balanced your budget and quality, focus on finding art that reflects your style and comes from sellers you trust.
7. Make It Personal
Transform your space with art prints that tell your story and match your style. Here's how to choose pieces that connect with you and fit seamlessly into your home.
Choose Prints That Speak to You
Pick artwork that reflects your passions, memories, or interests. Here are some ideas for pairing themes with the perfect room:
Print Theme | Ideal Room Placement |
---|---|
Travel Photography | Living room or office |
Nature Scenes | Bedroom or meditation space |
Abstract Art | Any room needing a lively touch |
Cultural Icons | Entertainment areas |
Think about the room's vibe - peaceful landscapes are perfect for bedrooms, while bold, dynamic art can energize a workspace or living area.
Tailor Prints to Your Space
Make your prints feel truly yours by customizing them. Adjust colors to match your decor, add meaningful quotes or dates, or choose sizes that fit specific walls. Many artists offer options to tweak their work, so don’t hesitate to request changes that make the art feel personal.
A great tip: create a digital mood board to see how your chosen prints will look in your space. This helps you ensure the pieces enhance your room's design and create a balanced, cohesive look.
With your personalized selections in mind, the next step is finding reliable sellers who can turn your ideas into reality.
8. Shop from Reliable Sellers
Sticking to reliable sellers helps ensure you receive high-quality prints that match your expectations.
Explore Small Businesses and Online Shops
Small businesses often offer one-of-a-kind, handcrafted art prints with great attention to detail. For example, UK-based OMG Kitty provides eco-friendly giclée prints in various sizes. Many of these shops also let you customize prints to suit your style and home decor.
When browsing small businesses, keep an eye out for:
- Professional printing techniques and durable, high-quality materials
- Options for personalization
- Secure packaging with tracking
- Clear and fair return policies
- Responsive and helpful customer support
- Environmentally conscious production methods
Pay Attention to Reviews and Product Details
Before making a purchase, take the time to read customer reviews and product descriptions. Key things to check include:
- The quality of materials and printing
- Accurate dimensions and specifications
- Consistency in colors
- Availability of framing options and their quality
- How well items are packaged and shipped
- Feedback on customer service
- Estimated delivery times
Be cautious with sellers who have vague return policies, incomplete product details, or repeated complaints about quality issues.
Conclusion: Choose Art Prints with Confidence
Quick Recap of the Tips
Picking art prints that fit your style doesn’t have to feel like a daunting task. In this guide, we’ve covered useful strategies to help you make informed choices. From defining your aesthetic with inspiration boards to thinking about practical details like size and framing, these steps work together to simplify the process.
Don’t forget to account for factors like material quality, placement, and trustworthy sellers - all while keeping your budget in mind. These key considerations will help ensure your chosen artwork enhances your space the way you envision.
Try Out Different Styles
With these tips in hand, you’re ready to explore ways to make your space truly yours. Play around with mixing different styles and mediums to give your space more depth and personality. Maybe pair a boho-inspired print with a sleek, modern room or add a celestial-themed piece to a clean, minimalist bedroom.
Art is all about personal expression, so take your time discovering what speaks to you. Look into collections from both well-known artists and small businesses - they often have one-of-a-kind pieces that can bring character to your home. Start with artwork you genuinely love and build your collection as you discover new preferences.