How to Choose a Painting or Print for Your Home | Size, Subject & Framing
Winter Stroll — Acrylic on canvas painting by Chris McMorrow Artist A snowscape can be very romantic and have lots of warmth.
Subject Matter and Aesthetics
Choosing a painting or print for your home is partly about colour, size and style — but it is also about feeling. The best artwork is something you are happy to live with every day. It might remind you of a place, a memory, a mood, or simply create an atmosphere you enjoy in the room.
Considerations could include any of the following, but I find from experience that the print or image should hold some special meaning and evoke a feeling or spark a memory — something personal.
Will I still like this in a few years, or is it just a trend?
Does it remind me of a place, memory, or experience?
Mood and atmosphere
What kind of feeling do I want this room to have — calm, cosy, dramatic?
Does this painting help create that mood?
Is it something I’ll enjoy seeing every day?
Forever Autumn — Oil on canvas by Chris McMorrow Artist A forest scene can create a feeling of being close to nature and bring a sense of calmness to a room.
Fit with the room
Does this subject suit the purpose of the room — bedroom, living room, or office?
Will it clash with anything already in the space?
Catch the Breeze — Acrylic on canvas by Chris McMorrow Artist Seascapes often have one dominant colour, which can work well as a centrepiece or focal point in a room.
Longevity and versatility
Will this still work if I redecorate?
Will this painting be timeless, or very specific to a current phase of my life?
Could I move it to another room later?
Practical and emotional balance
Am I choosing this because I genuinely like it, or because I think I “should”?
Will it bring me joy, calm, or curiosity?
A Grafton Street Moment — Oil on canvas by Chris McMorrow Artist A busy, detailed city scene can reveal new areas of interest in every square inch.
A painting can sometimes feel a little large at first, especially if you are used to having something smaller on the wall. But your eye adjusts surprisingly quickly. I once had a customer who loved a painting but worried it might be too big, so I suggested they take it home and live with it for a while. Before long, the size felt completely natural.
It is a bit like moving from a smaller television to a larger one — it seems huge at first, then a week later it feels normal. With artwork, a slightly bolder size can often be the right choice, especially if you want the piece to have real presence in the room.
About the wall and space
How big is the wall I’m filling?
Do I want the art to be a focal point or just an accent?
How much breathing space should I leave around the frame?
About furniture placement
What is the size of the furniture below it — sofa, bed, or console?
Should the artwork be centred with the furniture?
How wide should the print be compared to the sofa or bed?
About proportions and scale
Will this size look too small and get lost?
Will it overwhelm the room if it is too large?
What is the ideal height to hang it?
Do I need a single large piece or multiple smaller ones?
About style and intent
Do I want a bold statement piece or something subtle?
Does the room style suit large-scale art or smaller pieces?
Would a set of prints work better than one big frame?
Sometimes several prints of different sizes scattered across a large wall can work well, and may be more interesting than one single large artwork.
Framing Considerations
Framing can completely change how a painting or print feels in a room. A light mount and simple frame can give an artwork space to breathe, while a darker or heavier frame can make it feel more formal or dramatic.
For most rooms, I usually suggest choosing a frame that suits both the artwork and the room, rather than trying to match every piece of furniture exactly. A simple neutral frame is often the safest and most versatile option, especially if you may move the artwork to another room later. This is why I use the white/cream frame you see on all my prints.
Would a light, neutral frame suit the room best?
Do I want the frame to blend in or make the artwork feel more prominent?
Would a mounted print give the image more breathing space?
Am I choosing a frame that suits the artwork, not just the wall colour?
