How to Choose Art for Your Home: A Step-by-Step Guide to Filling Your Space with Intention

When you choose the right wall art, it will fill any blank wall perfectly and tell your story. The right art creates ambiance, cohesion, and reveals what matters most to you. Selecting pieces that reflect your style will give your home personality and energy.

If you're staring at a blank wall and have no idea where to start, here at the GOAT Wall Art, we’ve got you covered. We’ll help you find the perfect piece to amplify your own style and turn your space into an everyday inspiration.

How to Choose Art to Put in Your Home

Step 1: Define Your Style and Story

Before you go looking for the perfect wall art, pause and think about the feeling you want to create in your space. You can go for cozy and calm, bold and energetic, or sophisticated and modern. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many different feelings you can replicate with the right wall art.

Begin by asking yourself:

• What colors, places, or moments inspire you?
• Do you gravitate toward abstract art, landscapes, or photography?
• Are you drawn to symmetry, or do you prefer individuality?

Understanding your personal style is the foundation of choosing great art. For example, a well-designed space that reflects your life and personality might feature a vintage concert poster you love or a painting from your favorite vacation spot.

If bold, expressive pieces speak more to your unique taste, shop our curated Psychedelic Wall Art collection for vibrant, high-impact designs that bring stories to life.

Find Inspiration Where You Live

Visit local art fairs, vintage stores, or browse through online galleries to discover pieces that spark a reaction in you. If the artwork stops you mid-scroll, it’s worth saving.

Look for galleries that feature original pieces by real artists, such as awe-inspiring desert pictures and architectural canvas prints. This will give you access to beautiful artwork without the high-end gallery price tag.

Step 2: Match Art to Your Space

Once you understand what you love, shift your focus to the walls themselves. Every room has its own layout, light, and limitations. You’ll want to work with your space, rather than against it.

Measure and Plan

A common mistake is buying art that’s too small for the room. Aim for art that’s two-thirds the width of the furniture. A large piece can give you a focal point, while you can group smaller pieces together to make a gallery wall.

Use painter’s tape to map out shapes or lay paper cutouts on the wall to visualize scale.

Consider the Shape and Flow of Your Space

If you want to hang your new artwork in a narrow space like a hallway, on a tall entry wall, or in a room with a low ceiling, here are some tips:

• Arrange your art vertically to draw the eye up.
• In tighter spots, we also recommend pairing two pieces vertically.
• Balance a room full of heavy furniture with bold artwork.

Not every wall needs art. Leave room to breathe.

Step 3: Choose Art That Complements Your Color Palette

Color can guide or ground your art display.

Work With Your Existing Palette

Look at your existing furniture, pillows, or rugs. Identify shades to echo in your chosen artwork.

For example:

• Earthy tones work well with desert photography or tonal canvas prints.
• High-contrast rooms pop with moody black-and-white photography.
• Soft pastels can calm a colorful space.

You don’t need to match the colors exactly. Just aim for harmony and think of art as the final note in your color palette, tying it all together.

Step 4: Mix Mediums, Formats, and Stories

A room looks collected when it combines different art mediums in the same space. This is how you create texture and depth in your decor.

Balance Canvas With Poster Prints and More

You can hang a bold canvas print next to crisp poster prints or display a sculptural piece for a more exciting wall decor.

Try this:

• Hang an oversized canvas above the sofa.
• Create a gallery wall of smaller pieces beside the TV.
• Lean framed photos on a shelf alongside a painting or your favorite quote.

Mixing photography with abstract art, or old with new, will give the room soul. If you're looking for a sense of movement and vitality to your space, shop our Animal Art collection to mix realism with personality.

Step 5: Know Where to Shop

Good art doesn’t have to be expensive. It's important to know what’s worth investing in and where you can save.

Shop Smart, Shop Meaningfully

• For lasting impact, go with original artwork in spots like your living room or office.
• Use inexpensive art and prints to refresh less central spaces.
• Seek out emerging artists at local art fairs or niche online stores.
• Look for a gallery that specializes in premium canvas artwork by real artists.

Try The GOAT Wall Art

The GOAT Wall Art is an online gallery option worth considering for storytelling art that looks truly handmade. This is not mass-produced home decor. We make each piece in partnership with real artists who invest skill and passion into what they do.

We’re committed to the highest quality, and that commitment is apparent in the final product and how we treat our clients. The GOAT Wall Art makes it easier to discover a unique piece, something that feels like it belongs in your home.

Step 6: Frame and Hang with Purpose

Choose the Right Frame

A handmade frame can transform even the simplest print. Match the style to the tone of the art. You can choose warm woods to create earthy scenes and sleek black frames for architectural photos.

Go for pieces that come with handcrafted frames like those from The GOAT Wall Art, as these highlight the detail and craftsmanship of the art.

Hang It Right

Here’s how to hang art with care:

• Always aim to center the piece at eye level, around 57 to 60 inches from the floor.
• When placing art above furniture, leave about 6 to 10 inches of space.
• If you’re designing a gallery wall, keep spacing even, typically 2 to 3 inches between each piece of art.

Use a level, map it out first, and then step back and adjust until it feels right.

Step 7: Design a Gallery Wall

A gallery wall is a curated collection that reflects your memories, style, and experiences.

Start With a Theme or Mood

The following elements help tie your gallery together:

• Black-and-white photos
• Landscapes from trips
• Abstract shapes in soft neutrals
• Vintage items from different eras

This doesn't mean every piece will go together. You can create cohesion through color, subject, or frame style, and it will feel intentional.

Layout Ideas

• Grid: Suitable for symmetry lovers. Works best with same-sized prints.
• Eclectic: Mix sizes, shapes, and orientations, then anchor with a large center piece.
• Shelf Display: Rest art against the wall on floating shelves.

Gallery walls work well in staircases, entrance halls, or any unused space in need of personality.

Step 8: Make It Personal

Your own personal art will always be great art.

Tell Your Story

Meaningful pieces, like vacation photos, a child’s drawing, or a hometown map, make your art display uniquely yours. Mix personal touches right in with your decor. In businesses, this could be a customized canvas with a brand-centric photo or artwork that addresses the ethos of your space.

Use art to remind you of what matters, or where you've been, because that’s what makes it personal. If you’re drawn to bold shapes or calming textures, shop our Abstract Collection to help you build a home that reflects who you are.

Step 9: Adapt Art to Each Room

Each room serves a function, and the right art can add to its mood, purpose, and personality. When you know the function of each area, you can choose art for its appearance and also because of its appropriateness.

Living Room

This is where families meet, unwind, and entertain. A grand piece or a cohesive gallery wall will be a strong draw. Dramatic landscapes, one-of-a-kind pieces, or striking architectural photography will also engage visitors in conversation and give them something beautiful to look at. Don’t hesitate to play oversized here because the wall can support it, and the effect is well worth it.

Bedroom

Your bedroom should be a refuge. Choose calming abstract art, pale pastel colors, or faint line prints that add to an environment made for sleep. Paintings above the headboard or on the side wall should harmonize with your chosen color palette. Choose soft, layered textures and compositions that enhance calmness in the room.

Kitchen or Dining Area

Enrich these functional spaces with inspiring, meaningful imagery. A painting of a favorite travel spot, a vintage food poster, or a monochromatic still life can create connection and creativity. Choose items that brighten your mood or bring about remembrance. 

Don't be afraid to get your personality out here. A mounted favorite café menu or an abstract painting in strong colors can bring surprise and delight to your kitchen. Ensure you choose artwork that speaks to your memories, hobbies, or even sense of humor.

Since these areas are exposed to heat and splatters, canvas is a practical and stylish option for low-maintenance care.

Office or Business Space

At the workplace, choose artwork that reflects your state of mind or corporate brand. Geometric lines, abstract scenery, and black-and-white photography can bring crispness and focus at work. 

Another great choice is a gallery wall of thematically consistent prints, or a stunning investment piece with a sense of professionalism. The right artwork can increase productivity as well as branding.

Narrow Spaces and Hallways

These are often overlooked opportunities to bring personality. Stack two pieces, long frames, or long canvases to direct the eye through the space. Choose light colors or dynamic patterns to open up the space visually. Hallways also make excellent galleries for family photo collections, emerging artists, or small events that tell your story.

Personalized artwork makes each room unique and transforms your home from a collection of rooms to a cohesive, emotional journey.

Step 10: Final Touches

After the art is on the wall, adjust the lighting to focus attention where it matters.

Add subtle touches that echo your artwork’s colors or themes, such as a throw pillow, a ceramic vase, or a book on the floor. Don't overdo it and let each piece of art have space to breathe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Artwork Should I Hang in My Home?

The perfect artwork for your home is a reflection of you and the atmosphere of each room. In the living room, go for bold pieces like a large canvas or a vibrant gallery wall. You can use soothing abstract paintings or minimal prints to bring a calming effect in the bedroom, while you can refresh kitchens and halls with smaller works of interest or meaning. Think about the way each piece contributes to your overall wall and keep it in the space with intention.

What are the 7 Forms of Art?

The traditional seven arts are:

1. Painting
2. Sculpture
3. Literature
4. Architecture
5. Music
6. Cinema
7. Theatre

In home decor, the most relevant art forms are painting, photography, and mixed media such as canvas prints. Mixing different mediums in your art display creates an overlapped, gallery-inspired appearance. From original art to highly edited collections, every style adds a distinctive visual and emotional texture to the room.

How Do I Know What Type of Art to Create?

Begin by discovering the topics that inspire you, such as nature, architecture, travel, or daily life, and experiment with abstract shapes, drawing, painting, or computer design. Going to local art fairs, following emerging artists, or scanning online galleries can help define your style and direction. Often, the art you enjoy looking at is also what you’ll enjoy creating.

Which Paintings Are Considered Lucky for Home?

Some people think that paintings of running water, sunrises, or peaceful scenery are prosperous and harmonious. Nevertheless, the “luckiest” wall art is the one that gives off peace, inviting energy, and happiness. Select artwork that complements your personal style and resonates with your life and experiences.

How Can I Find My Favorite Type of Art?

Maintain a file (digital or actual) of images that catch your eye. After a while, you'll start to see patterns: maybe you trend towards minimalism, bright colors, or old-school photography. Your personal style often emerges from what consistently draws your attention. It’s that moment when a piece of art makes you feel like it's yours.

How Do You Coordinate Artwork in a Room?

Since you have so many options, start by considering the color palette and furniture you already have in your room and choose artwork that complements them. This doesn’t have to be exactly the same; aim to create a cohesive feel and pick up a color, shape, or texture from the art and repeat it in other places within the room. Don’t forget finishing touches such as lighting and frame styles.

Final Thoughts on Choosing Art For Your Home

We've explored a few tips on how to choose art for your home. There are no rules because your house is a blank canvas, and everything you place in it becomes your narrative.

Start with things that you really love, since size and style can wait. Acquire a collection over time by buying what you love from trusted people, galleries, and vintage shops.

Shop at The Goat Wall Art online gallery where we partner with real artists, handcraft our frames, and provide canvas prints that you will treasure for generations to come.