Finding the right wall art for a large living space is such a challenge. Trust me, I have been trying to find the perfect art for my mantle for what seems like 2 years. I started renovating my house right when I closed and the mantle was one of the first things to go. It wasn’t until earlier this year that my dad and I built a mantle to fit the space perfectly. That meant it was time to find a piece of art worth of such a fine mantle! 🙂 I started browsing the Minted site in search of something perfect for the holidays. The ceiling height was so high I wasn’t sure what was going to look best so I was put in contact with an amazing art stylist. They made it extremely easy to know exactly what will fit the space the best. She even sent over renderings to show how the space would look with the actual art work in place.
Finding art for such a large space can really be a stressful and daunting task. I wanted to get a post together with some tips that I found helpful when trying to figure out what would work with a large, monochromatic space.
First, figure out the size of the space you are working with. If this is specifically for a mantle then you are going to need something that will adequately fit the space. I always like to suggest gallery walls if you have a larger open wall but mantles are a different beast altogether. If you choose art that is too small then the space is going to overwhelm such a small piece. On the other hand, if you choose something too large then it could overwhelm the room and make the space look smaller and cramped. Larger is most likely always the better choice.
I ended up choosing one large piece to fit the entire space and then another smaller piece to tie in all of my other decor. My ceilings are so high that I needed something that wouldn’t leave too much space above the print itself.
Second, pay attention to the decor and color palette you already have in place. You want the new art to accentuate what is already in place. No one wants to have to go buy new decor just to fit a new piece of art. My home is very neutral so I didn’t want something with any color unless it was very subtle which is why I added in a slight pop of color with the stockings.
Third, find a frame. This is also something I am awful at so I am extremely glad Minted had the option to work with an art stylist. My mantle space is so narrow and tall we both decided that a slim frame would be the best for each print. I didn’t want battling frame sizes so I went with one of the smallest sizes possible. If you are only having one piece on your mantle then I definitely suggest going with a little thicker frame.
Fourth, have a budget. Art can be extremely expensive and frames could be even more than the art itself. If you are on a tighter budget I highly suggest figuring out the exact size you need and then finding a standard sized frame that would also fit. That way, you can purchase unframed art and frame it yourself.
Fifth, make a gallery wall. I know this post was talking a lot about over the mantle art work but I wanted to incorporate a little talk about a gallery wall since those still apply to large living spaces. Gallery walls are one of the most popular trends for art these days. Sadly, a lot of people aren’t sure how to achieve them. All of the rules above definitely apply. There are many ways to create an organized gallery wall even if you hang random decor in the mix. Whichever layout you want to work with, plan it all out on the floor first. Get all of the appropriate measurements of the wall and your art, frames, decor, etc. to plan everything out before you start putting holes in the wall. If the art work is light-weight then I suggest using command hooks to hang art. Easy to put up and easy to clean up!
For any of y’all interested in some of the products featured in this post I have listed everything below. If you have any other questions or tips please feel free to leave a comment. 🙂
Outfit Details:
Sweater – Target (Similar HERE and HERE) // Jeans – Mott & Bow // Slippers – UGG
Beanie – T & J Designs (Use code GOBBLE25 November 20th thru November 28th for 25% off the entire site)
Living Room Details:
Tree Art – Minted // Van Art – Minted // Stockings – Minted (HERE, HERE & HERE)
Llama Pillow – World Market // Sheepskin Rug – World Market
Lantern – Pottery Barn // Gold Vase – Target
This post contains affiliate links and is sponsored by Minted. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
such a cute home! I love your new print too!!
Love this post! I agree that paying attention to the decor and colour palette in place is so important (this may come from me from falling in love with one too many minimalist wall art pieces and realizing my current scheme is very rainbow).
I am book-marking this post for when I move in to my new apartment. Thank you for the inspiration!
xx
Cristina
http://www.timelessoptimist.com
these photos are so perfect! Love this space & the art you picked!
xo!
Shelby
http://www.glitterandgingham.com
These are great tips and your space is so beautiful!
Decorating goals! Now I wish we had a fireplace! Xx
Absolutely stunning! In LOVE with your cozy space! Love these fantastic tips! Wall art can be overwhelming – so this is a great way to break it down!
Your living room (and you) look amazing!!!
Sabrina | Gypsy Tan
https://gypsytan.com
The frames look perfect hun!
Nicky x
http://www.nickyinsideout.com
Love your home. Wish I had that kind of space in SF!
Omg! Your living room is beautiful!! Love all the white tones! Perfect for the winter!
—
Brittney
Missxbo.com
You have a gorgeous home! I need some new wall art but had a hard time figuring out what I wanted… I think I will work with a color scheme and maybe rethink the size too because I love your big print! xoxo
those prints are great!! your living room is gorgeous!
xo megan
Your house is so beautiful! I really admire that you didn’t stick a television up there like so many people would do, and I feel like the art in the frames pulls everything together perfectly! Beautiful job girl!
Great recommendations for decorating the living room this holiday season!
I love the art on your mantel! And I love your living room! So cute and cozy! Your decor is fabulous and your pup! The cutest!!
Xo, Steph
Thank for this post! I still have blank walls after 4 years of living in my house. It’s tough to find that perfect piece.
Thanks for sharing such great advice on selecting the right wall art for your space. I’ll refer to your post when selecting my next art pieces.
Your living space is so darn cozy! I could just stay there all day relaxing!!! And love the art!
xx
Lauren
This is the cutest space! I love all of the decor, so festive and fun!
The gallery wall is a great idea!
I am in love with your home décor! It is so pretty!
This post is so great! I always have a hard time choosing wall art!
Could you be any more darling?! LOVE the way you decorated your home! And these photos are stunning! It’s so hard to take pretty photos inside!
http://beyondblessedblog.com
instagram.com/ChloeBArnold/
Serious decorating goals here! Art can make any space so beautiful.
xo
Katie Ann
www-the-holly-tree.com
It was nice how you said that in choosing the right wall art, I have to make sure to find a piece that will accentuate the decor and color palette that is already in place. That’s a really good thing to know because I’m planning to add a few wall decor to my living room. Since I’m using a tropical theme in the living room, maybe a flower painting or anything tropical will make a good addition to it. Thanks a lot for the ideas!
Wow! How I love that colors. The living room is amazing!
I have been planning to change the decor of my house for a while now, and the first thing that I am thinking about changing is the wall decor. Of all the things that you said that in this article, what caught my attention the most was the idea that it’s best to take a look at the already present decor in the house as well as the design because it’s vital to choose a wall decor that will match them evenly. Considering that I have a rather rustic-looking living room, I guess it makes sense that I choose a rustic-looking wall decor. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing the beautiful post with us the all arrangements specially the frames are looking great.
That’s a good point that both art and frames can become pretty pricey. I would think that having a budget to stick to would be a good idea to make sure that you can have some art without spending more than you are able to. I’ll have to keep that in mind if I decide to get some art for my new house.