Selecting wall art goes far beyond choosing your favorite print. There is a technical aspect to choosing canvas prints as well. Not only will your living room benefit from a stunning piece of artwork, but you can take your décor from amateur to pro with the right expert tips. Learn how to select the right canvas shape, size, and layout for your living space. We’re going to walk you through the entire process from choosing your wall art to hanging it in your home. View our top living room wall ideas and professional advice.
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Shapes: Living Room Wall Ideas
Styles to Complement Your Space
Living Room Considerations
Maintaining a well-designed living room is more essential than ever. With social gatherings finally building up steam, get your home ready to host ASAP! Wall décor is the perfect way to instantly revive your space.
Living Room Décor: Pro Tips
Our resident design expert Elimar Lobo Sáenz shares her perception on how living room décor has changed in 2023:
“The importance of the living room during the pandemic has increased since it is a space dedicated to relaxing and gathering with family members. Many homeowners have refined their approach toward [decorating] this space, and [took to] researching how to enhance the level of comfort.”
Discover living room wall picture ideas >>
Shapes: Living Room Wall Ideas
View our list of shapes below and choose the layout that matches your living room goals:
Chic and Classic: The Single-Panel Rectangle or Single-Panel Square*
Traditional with a Twist: The Single-Panel Vertical Canvas or the Single-Panel Panoramic Canvas
Modern and Balanced: The Triptych Tri-Panel Canvas or the Symmetrical Five-Panel Canvas
Daring and Trendy: The Split Two-Piece Canvas or the Four-Panel “Wave” Canvas
Funky and Eclectic: The 7-Piece Hexagonal Canvas Set
*You can also choose to have your single panel prints framed or unframed!
Living Room Décor: Pro Tips
Now that you have a grasp on your options, use these professional excerpts to make sure you’re displaying your panels correctly. Reference these passages from our guide on how to hang wall art the right way:
“You're probably wondering how far apart you should hang the panels of your canvas!
* Width: for all layouts, we recommend leaving 1" space between each panel when hung, for the best airy but tied-together look! If the gap is too big or too small, you'd lose the effect of the split canvas.
* Height: the height of the rest of the panels depends on the layout you selected. Some layouts are symmetrical, and some layouts resemble a wave and feature different heights. In general, be consistent! For example, if you hung the left panel 3" lower than the middle panel, be sure to hang the right panel in the same proportion. Use your ruler and pencil to measure the right height!
PS: Leave enough room in between the edge of the wall and your canvas print. There should be at least a foot from where the wall ends, before your artwork begins. Hanging your art too close to the edge of the wall can make a space look cramped and disproportionate. Your interior should feel comfortable, so it’s important to avoid an unsettling layout. Give your home the greatest potential to feel open and welcoming.”
Browse large living room wall décor ideas >>
Sizes: Living Room Wall Ideas
When choosing the right canvas size and dimensions for your space, reference our Ultimate Wall Art Size Guide. Here are a few pointers to get you started:
- ON AN EMPTY WALL
Your wall art should take about 60% to 75% of the available empty wall space, the portion not covered by moldings or furniture. Measure the height and width of the wall. Now, multiply the measurements by both 0.6 and 0.75. As a result, you will get the range of canvas print sizes to suit the space.
For instance, if your blank wall is 9 feet tall and 5 feet wide, multiply 9 by 0.6 to get the low end of the ideal height range. Then multiply 9 by 0.75 to get the high end of the ideal height range. Do the same for your wall's 5 feet width. The ideal height of the canvas would be 5.4 feet - 6.75 feet and the ideal width would be 3 feet - 3.75 feet.
- ABOVE FURNITURE
Wall art that you want to hang over furniture, such as a fireplace, a bed or a couch, should be between 2/3 and 3/4 of the furniture's width. To measure the ideal art size above your furniture, consider this example: If your couch is 6 feet wide, multiply it by 0.66 and 0.75. You need a canvas between 3.96 feet and 4.5 feet wide to fit impressively above the couch.
Living Room Décor: Pro Tips
Follow this essential info from our Help Center to ensure you select the right size:
“The image displayed is the largest of that design. Please note that the sizes shown are the overall size of all panels combined. Please keep an eye on the "Canvas Size Chart" to see the individual panel sizes. Feel free to reach out to support@elephantstock.com for further assistance.”
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Styles to Complement Your Space
Now that you’re a wall décor pro, it’s time for the fun part! Explore our variety of wall art styles. From abstract prints to trendy typography, there is truly a print for every aesthetic. If you’re looking for design inspiration, check out this expert tip from our art director, Tirzah Goodman:
Living Room Décor: Pro Tips
One of the hottest new décor trends is represented in our “Minimalist Architecture” collection. Read this selection from our comprehensive article on “Minimalist Architecture” to get a better understanding of how this style of print can elevate your space:
“If you love geometric prints and clean lines, these prints are right up your alley. Our “Minimalist Architecture” collection creates a space within a space. Like a doorway to another dimension, this artwork will add depth and visual intrigue to any space.”
Framed pictures for living rooms and more >>
Tried-and-True Color Schemes
Find a print that incorporates the existing colors in your living room. Wall art can tie together your color scheme in the blink of an eye.
Grey Living Room Wall Ideas
You can’t go wrong with a contemporary neutral like grey. Using an understated neutral as your base allows you to play with pops of color. If you’re looking for a warmer alternative to grey, consider taupe or griege.
Explore inspiring living room wall ideas >>
More Technical Topics
Visit our Help Center for more technical advice, or check out our Inspiration Blog for trending décor topics. No matter what shape, size, and style you select…wall art is always a good choice for your living space.
Find the best wall hangings for living rooms >>
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