How to Style with Artwork: 8 Simple Steps to Get It Right

Hi, I’m Eileen. I want to let you in on a little secret - you don’t need to know anything about art to know when a piece makes you feel something 💫

Maybe it reminds you of somewhere you’ve travelled, the colours instantly draw you in, or you simply love looking at it. And for me, that’s a much better place to start than worrying about whether you’re choosing the “right” artwork for your home.

Artwork is one of my favourite ways to bring personality into a space. It can introduce colour, create a focal point, fill an awkward wall, or be the piece that suddenly makes everything else in the room come together.

So, if you’re staring at a blank wall wondering where on earth to begin, here’s how I like to approach it.

Step 1: Choose What You Love

This one comes first for a reason.

Artwork is personal, and I don’t believe you should choose something simply because it matches the sofa or happens to be on trend.

Start with pieces you genuinely enjoy looking at. They might be paintings, photography, prints, something collected on your travels, or even a piece that has sentimental value.

Once you find something you love, then you can think about how to make it work within the room.

Step 2: Set a Budget That Feels Comfortable

Beautiful artwork doesn't have to come with a $10,000 price tag and I certainly don't believe you need to spend a fortune to create a home that feels special.

There are so many ways to find pieces you love at different price points. Original artwork from a local artist might be something you choose to invest in, but prints, photography, vintage finds, and pieces discovered while travelling can be just as meaningful.

You can also mix them.

A more expensive piece you absolutely love can sit beautifully alongside an affordable print or something you've had framed because it holds a special memory.

For me, it's never about what a piece cost. It's about whether you love it and whether it adds something to your home.

My tip: Decide what you're comfortable spending before you start looking. It makes the process much easier and stops you falling in love with the $10,000 piece when you had $500 or less in mind!

Step 3: Look at What’s Already in the Space

Now take a look around the room.

What colours are already there? What about your furniture, flooring, cushions, rugs and window furnishings? Is the room quite neutral, colourful, contemporary, relaxed or more traditional?

Your artwork doesn't necessarily need to match these elements, but there should be some connection.

You might pick up a subtle colour from the artwork and repeat it elsewhere in the room or use a striking piece to introduce contrast into an otherwise neutral space.

My tip: I love using artwork as a starting point for a colour palette. If you find a piece you adore, pull two or three colours from it and subtly repeat them through cushions, accessories or other details in the room. It makes everything feel connected without looking overly coordinated.

Step 4: Get the Scale Right

This is where a beautiful piece of artwork can sometimes get a little lost.

A small picture floating above a large sofa probably won't have the impact you're hoping for. Likewise, an oversized piece on a very narrow wall can overwhelm the space.

Look at the wall and the furniture around it and choose artwork that feels proportionate.

Above a sofa, bed or console, I generally want the artwork to feel visually connected to the furniture rather than floating separately above it.

If one large piece isn't right for the space, a grouping of smaller works can achieve the same sense of balance.

Step 5: Decide Between One Statement Piece or a Collection

Not every wall needs a gallery.

Sometimes one beautiful, oversized artwork is all a room needs. It creates a clear focal point and allows the piece to really shine.

Other spaces lend themselves beautifully to a collection. A gallery wall can combine different artwork, photographs and meaningful pieces to create something much more personal.

The important thing is that it feels intentional.

If you're creating a gallery wall, I suggest laying everything out on the floor first. Play around with the arrangement until the balance feels right before you start putting holes in the wall!

Step 6: Think About Where You Hang It

Getting the height right can completely change how artwork feels in a room.

One of the most common things I notice is artwork hung too high. You shouldn't have to crane your neck to enjoy it!

I prefer artwork to feel connected to the furniture or space beneath it. When you're hanging something above a sofa, bed or console, think of the furniture and artwork as one composition rather than two separate things.

Ready to hang it? The type of hook or fixing you use will depend on the weight of your artwork and the type of wall you’re working with. Bunnings has a handy step-by-step guide to choosing the right fixing and hanging your artwork securely.

My tip: Before hanging anything, ask someone to hold the artwork in position while you stand back and look at it from across the room. Moving it just a few centimetres can make a surprising difference.

Step 7: Don't Forget the Frame

The frame is part of the artwork too.

Timber can introduce warmth, black frames can add definition, and lighter frames can create a softer feel. The right choice depends on both the artwork and what's already happening in the room.

If you're grouping several pieces together, the frames don't necessarily have to match. A mix can look beautiful as long as there is something connecting the collection.

Step 8: Give Your Artwork Room to Breathe

Not every wall needs something on it.

This is probably one of the easiest things to forget when you're excited about finishing a room!

Leaving some walls clear gives the pieces you do choose more impact and prevents the room from feeling visually busy.

Sometimes the best thing you can add to a wall is... nothing at all.

Make Your Artwork Part of Your Story

The artwork in your home should say something about you.

It doesn't need to be expensive, it doesn't need to impress anyone, and you certainly don't need to be an art expert to choose it.

If it brings you joy, adds personality to your home and feels like it belongs there, you're already on the right track.

And if you have beautiful pieces you love but can't quite work out where they should go, or you're starting with completely blank walls, I'd love to help you bring it all together.

I also welcome you to my online store for a small collection of carefully selected pieces to add those finishing touches to your home.

Contact me today and let's make your home feel like you 🏡

Interior Styling Consultation

A$465.00

2h

Book Now