how to pick the right wall art for every room in your home

Styling your home with unique wall decor is often easier said than done. Before you get started, there are a lot of things to consider when selecting what colors make sense and what art mediums/styles you’re attracted to. Questions you might also ask include: What walls should feature artwork? How large should the artwork be? How many pieces of artwork should be hung on one wall? At what height should the art be hung? What frame styles should you feature? Are there different considerations for kitchen art vs. kids room art? And the list goes on!

In this article, we'll help you choose art for your home by providing room-specific ideas. Instead of strict rules, think of this as a creative journey. Art in your home reflects your personality. Our Minted styling team offers expert advice and quotes throughout the article for your search for professional wall art ideas.


ROOM-BY-ROOM ADVICE:

LIVING ROOM ART IDEAS

Minted’s art stylist, Mary, offers some preliminary tips about living room artwork:

If your living room has a more formal feel for receiving guests, you might go with a textured painting in a subtle color palette—for example, a traditional landscape oil painting or an abstract piece with soft, sweeping brush strokes.

Mary also suggests that more casual and comfortable living rooms can be the perfect backdrop for a gallery wall. For a truly eclectic or bohemian feel, consider a gallery wall with a mix of styles and media depicted, such as graphic art, watercolor paintings, photography, and hand-drawn sketches. You could even include some non-traditional elements sparingly into your arrangement, such as a textile art or woven tapestry, or mirrors.

When it comes to color selection for your living room art, draw inspiration from other elements and furniture in the room such as the couch, pillows, or lampshades. If you have windows that look out onto an impressive view, consider how you can pull some of those exterior color palettes onto your walls. Because the living room is often the largest room in the house, don’t be afraid to feature a large wall hanging. It may be one of your only opportunities in the house to pull it off. Any piece you choose to make a statement with has the potential to be a great conversation starter or talking point when friends come to visit as well.

Related Article: How to Choose Large Wall Art

Art Shelves in Living room (Photo: @missbrunetka)

Image source: Alena (@missbrunetka)

Monuments 2 Art Print
Art Print

byJennifer Daily

Alameda, CA

Hard & Soft Art Print
Art Print

byKristine Sarley

Chicago, IL

Take a Break Grownup Open Edition Non-Custom Art Print
Art Print

byJess Franks

Hartford, CT

Beach Houses Art Print
Art Print

byKamala Nahas

Ventura, CA

Shop Art for the Living Room

BEDROOM WALL ART IDEAS

The bedroom, being the most private space, allows you and your partner to select wall decor that holds personal significance. This could include personalized art like silhouettes of loved ones, framed wedding vows, or family photo collages. The bedroom's purpose is comfort, so opt for calming nature scenes or playful brushstroke designs. When choosing bedroom wall decor, prioritize your preferences over others' opinions, as this space is uniquely yours.

The common art placement in the bedroom is directly over the bed. The size of your headboard will determine how much wall real estate you have to work with.

While it is entirely up to you, less-is-more approach is often suggested when it comes to bedroom art. This room is your sanctuary, so reducing clutter, even on the walls, can help promote relaxation. Instead of having multiple pieces of art, we recommend picking one large wall art for your bedroom. At Minted, all art prints are available up to 48"x70" which give you plenty size options for your bedroom.

Bedroom Wall Art Idea
Lake View South Carolina Art Print
Art Print

byErika Firm

Charleston, SC

Indigo Plant Cell Art Print
Art Print

byMary Gaspar

Wilmette, IL

Deckled Custom Photo Art Print
Custom Photo Art Print

byUp Up Creative

Rochester, NY

Candy Sky Art Print
Art Print

byEMANUELA CARRATONI

Rome, LA

Shop Art for the Bedroom

DELICIOUSLY STYLISH KITCHEN ART IDEAS

Wall space can be limited in the kitchen. With more and more open kitchen floor plans, you may only have one or two walls to work with. Those walls most likely have limited space, as they may accommodate cabinets, an oven hood, backsplash, hanging pans, spice racks, and the like. You may need to get creative about how you display your artwork. Rather than hanging art directly on the wall, you could rest frames on countertops or prop them up on art shelves. When selecting wall art display ideas for the kitchen, Minted’s Art Stylist, Rachel, mentions that “the kitchen is a great place to add a touch of quirkiness. This can be anything from fun graphic prints, to brightly colored abstracts, to whimsical photos, to paintings and photography with a food or cooking theme.

Let your imagination run wild! Consider your inspirations and the dominant colors in your kitchen to integrate the art with your room's design. Framed photographs showcasing tropical farmers markets, beloved foods, or charming European street dining are excellent choices for adorning kitchen walls. Minted has put together a collection of kitchen art that includes abstract pieces, beautiful photographs, creative typography, and more if you need somewhere to start for inspiration.

Watermelons Art Print
Art Print

bySonya Percival

Chicago, IL

Chemex Art Print
Art Print

byElliot Stokes

Brooklyn, NY

Open Crazy Late Art Print
Art Print

byPaper Raven Co.

Atlanta, GA

Still-life with four pears Art Print
Art Print

bySonya Percival

Chicago, IL

Shop Art for the Kitchen

FUN CHILDREN’S ROOM ART SUGGESTIONS

It is important that a child’s room feels like a reflection of their personality and interests. As hobbies and passions change as your child matures, so too does the look and feel of their room. We encourage parents to collaborate with their children when it comes to selecting their kids' room art so they can feel a sense of connection with the elements hanging on their walls. Rather than sophisticated abstract pieces or thought-provoking photography, aim for artwork that is more age-appropriate and cheerful. Popular themes include imagery of wild animals, food, sports games, automobiles, beach scenes, outer space, the great outdoors, and so much more. Educational artwork depicting world maps or astronomy formations can keep your child engaged.

Again, consider what art will go best with the room theme or color theme. Does your child have certain stuffed animals, toys, or bed sheets that might perfectly complement a particular art piece? Explore Minted’s collection of kids wall art and see what themes are bringing the most joy for your child. Because kids are energetic and playful by nature, it is recommended to stay away from extremely large wall art which could get bumped off the wall and cause injury. Minted stylists recommend lightweight but durable canvas art to create a look that will last a lifetime.

LLama and Boy Children's Art Print
Children's Art Print

bySarah Fitzgerald

Denver, CO

Vintage Van Crew Children's Art Print
Children's Art Print

byVine and Thistle

Portland, OR

Time to Play Children's Art Print
Children's Art Print

byVine and Thistle

Portland, OR

Beach Day Scene Children's Art Print
Children's Art Print

byMolly Mortensen

Logan, UT

Shop Children’s Art

NURSERY WALL ART IDEAS

Your newborn’s room is meant to be playful and peaceful, and nursery art can play a big role in driving that theme forward. Artwork featuring soft pastel colors such as pinks, blues, and yellows are popular options to complement a crib and your stack of onesies. When it comes to visual subject matter, the cuter the better! Think baby animals, rainbows, the alphabet, balloons, and flowers. You could also go for a more personalized look and feature colorful name art or designs that celebrate your newborn’s birthdate, weight, or size. Browse our collection of original nursery wall art created by talented artists from around the world. Consider canvas for artwork in a baby or infant's room as it's lightweight and, in the unlikely event of a fall, poses minimal risk to any child nearby.

If you like the personalized look, check out Minted’s customized art that features footprints or handprints. You can even select to have their imprints printed in shiny gold, silver, or rose gold foil. Lastly, if you don’t want to fuss with the hassle of painting the nursery walls, experiment with a cute wall mural that will brighten the whole room and provide instant charm.

Once upon a blue moon Children's Art Print
Children's Art Print

byMaja Cunningham

Fort Worth, TX

Moths Children's Art Print
Children's Art Print

byEmilie Simpson

Bowmanville, CA

Elephant Portrait Nursery Art Print
Nursery Art Print

byCarolyn MacLaren

Encinitas, CA

Spring Rainbow Kids Open Edition Non-Custom Art Print
Children’s Art Print

byIveta Angelova

A Coruña, ES

Shop Art for the Nursery

BATHROOM WALL DECOR IDEAS

Bathrooms are typically one of the smallest rooms in the house, if not the smallest. Minted’s Art Stylist, Cherie, suggests “botanicals, nature themes, and scenery” as ways to keep the space airy, light, and open.

Cherie also suggests, “for rooms with high humidity (bathroom/kitchen) you may want to consider aluminum-mounted acrylic art.” Canvas pieces also have the potential to gracefully withstand moisture, maintaining their integrity even with extended exposure.

In terms of placement, consider positioning artwork opposite to the mirror, so it can be appreciated even through reflection when people are attending to themselves in the mirror.

Minted has a collection of bathroom art that offers a wide range of art genres, from line art to modern art prints. Have fun with your selection and tie in your bathroom art selection with wall colors, the shower curtains, tile patterns, or towel arrangements.

Moody white roses Art Print
Art Print

byHanke Arkenbout

Rotterdam, NL

Flow Through Me Art Print
Art Print

byDebi Perkins

Crestview, FL

Begonia Monsteras Art Print
Art Print

byjinseikou

Brooklyn, NY

Going for a Swim Art Print
Art Print

byWhitney Deal

Wilkesboro, NC

Shop Art for the Bathroom

REFRESH YOUR ART DECOR

With the increasing popularity of working from home, a large number of us are now enjoying the extra time we get to spend in the comfort of our own space. With more and more eyes being welcomed into your home on a regular basis, it may seem like the perfect time for a styling refresh. We hope some of the tips we reviewed in this article will help you determine how to pick art for your home. Create something not only you love, but a comfortable and stylish backdrop for your next Zoom call with family, friends, or colleagues.

 

FREE STYLING ADVICE

Feeling a little intimidated about where to start with your wall decor selection? We are here to help you every step of the way! We can provide professional wall art display guidance for any and all rooms of your house. Our team of stylists has assisted thousands of customers over the years style everything from a chic living room and comfortable bedroom to a high-functioning office.

Learn more about our free styling service ▶︎