How to Choose the Right Art for Your Home: 5 Simple Tips for First-Time Collectors
Selecting the perfect artwork for your home can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re just beginning to explore the world of art. With so many styles, colors, sizes, and moods to choose from, it’s easy to feel stuck. But don’t worry—I've put together some simple, practical tips to help guide you through the process and bring art into your space with confidence.
Whether you’re building your room around an artwork or searching for the right piece to complement your existing decor, these tips will help you make a choice that feels personal, meaningful, and right for your space.
Tip 1: Define the Mood You Want to Create
Before choosing a piece, ask yourself: How do I want this room to feel?
Art has the power to completely shift the energy of a space. Do you want the room to feel calming and serene? Energized and vibrant? Intimate and moody?
For example, in a bedroom—where rest and relaxation are key—you might choose an abstract piece with soft tones, minimal contrast, and soothing colors like whites, blues, and beiges. On the other hand, for a home office or living room, something more dynamic and expressive might bring the energy you’re looking for.
Start with the emotion you want to evoke, and let that guide your selection.
Tip 2: Consider the Room’s Colour Palette
Next, observe the colours that already exist in the space. Focus on the top 2–3 dominant tones—these might come from your furniture, rug, pillows, wallpaper, or even decorative accents.
A quick trick: Try squinting your eyes while looking at the room. Which colours stand out most?
Choose an artwork that incorporates some (not necessarily all) of those dominant shades. This helps your art feel like a natural part of the space while still standing out. Whether the piece subtly echoes those colours or boldly amplifies them, it should complement the palette—not clash with it.
Tip 3: Discover Your Style
Finding your style might be the most exciting—and sometimes the trickiest—part. The world of art is vast, with everything from contemporary and abstract to pop art, photo realism, and more.
If you’re unsure where to begin, spend time scrolling through online galleries like Saatchi Art or Artsy. Notice what you’re naturally drawn to. Is it bold colours? Minimalism? Layers and textures? Whimsy or drama?
There’s no right or wrong here—if something speaks to you, trust it. Your style doesn’t have to fit into a box.
Tip 4: Get the Sizing Right
One of the most common mistakes when selecting art is choosing a piece that’s too small for the wall it’s meant to fill. To make a visual impact and feel balanced in your space, artwork should generally take up about ½ to ¾ of the wall width.
A good rule of thumb: Art placed above furniture (like a couch or bed) should be about 75% of the furniture’s width. This applies to a single large piece or a grouping like a diptych or triptych.
Taking some quick measurements and even taping out the size on the wall can help you visualize the right scale before you commit.
Tip 5: Think About Shape & Composition
The shape of your artwork should echo the layout of the space it will live in. For example:
Above a sofa → Long, horizontal pieces or groupings tend to look best.
In rooms with high ceilings → Tall, vertical works can enhance the height and create a dramatic effect.
For tighter or square spaces → Circular art or balanced square compositions can soften or anchor the space.
Also consider how the shapes in your decor interact with your art. If your space has a lot of organic or rounded elements, a circular canvas or softer lines in the artwork might harmonize beautifully.
Don’t be afraid to mix it up—having a variety of sizes and shapes around your home adds interest and personality.
Bonus Tip: Commissioning Custom Work
If you’ve already designed your space and are having trouble finding something that fits just right—consider a commissioned piece. A custom artwork can be tailored in size, color, mood, and style to perfectly reflect your vision and complement your home.
Final Thoughts
Choosing art for your home is a deeply personal journey—it’s about more than just matching colors. It’s about finding pieces that speak to you and bring meaning and emotion into your space.
Start with how you want to feel, stay open to discovering your style, and don’t rush the process. The perfect piece is out there—and when you find it, you’ll know.