The right photos make your home inviting and communicates to others who you are as a family and what’s important to you. Family is important and being surrounded by photos of your loved ones, in your house, not only creates a warm environment but also makes sense – you’re decorating your walls with that which is important to you.
A portrait for your home is an investment but it’s one you can take with you as you move. Just as you wouldn’t replace your furniture every month, your wall art is something you will treasure for a long time.
Here are some tips to consider when choosing the right portrait for your walls.
Which rooms to decorate
There are a number of rooms in your home that you may wish to consider. It’s important to realise that each room will have its own vibe and not all photos will suit every room. Here are some ideas about the type of wall art that best suits different rooms.
Master Bedroom: Having photos of your family is a popular choice for master bedrooms. Many people don’t realise but, by the time your children are 18 years old, you will have spent 80% of the time you have with them. Seeing your family or children as you go to sleep and having them as the first thing you see when you wake up is something that many parents enjoy. Master bedrooms often have large walls which favours larger sized pieces, either hung over the bed or on the opposite wall.
Children’s bedroom: Hang a fun photo of your child by themselves, with their siblings or with you in a child’s bedroom. Alternately, a sweet or tender photo (hugging you or their siblings etc) would also work well. Kids like to decorate the walls of their rooms and tend to take less care with their decorations than you do, so go for smaller pieces.
Office: Look for a small portrait for your home office or desk at work. Consider products which make it easy for you to change the display, such as the portrait box, to easily permit you to refresh your decoration.
Kitchen: This room is often overlooked and it’s a shame as it’s one of the most used rooms in your home. Kitchens tend to have relatively little wall space so smaller pieces are best. Choose pieces that make you smile (especially before having your morning coffee).
Living Room: This is the most public room in your house but it’s also a room where you’ll spend a lot of time. It’s often hard to find the right mix between public and personal however, most people only host friends and family in their home so having photos of your family on display is absolutely normal (and almost expected). Depending on the amount of wall space you have available in your living / lounge room, you may wish to go for a larger photo or perhaps a composition (several pieces together).
Colours
You have 3 general options when considering colour – choose complementary colours, have bright feature pieces or go for black and white.
Complementary colours
Consider the colours present in your home – the colour of the walls, of your decorations, your furniture and think about which colour(s) we can incorporate in your photos which will complement the room.
Choosing photos with similar tones that are already present in the room will create a harmonious room.
Bright Feature Piece
If your room is fairly neutral, you may wish to go for a bright photo that will stand out. A feature piece will automatically capture your attention when you walk into the room.
Black and White
If in doubt, black and white works in any room and adds a touch of elegance.
Have a chat with me about your colour scheme during your planning session so I can create portraits which will fit perfectly in your home.
Size
It is often hard to judge the size of photo that will fit perfectly in your space. I can help you with this by using a special piece of software that will show you what your photos will look like on your walls…but more on that later.
When choosing your wall art, it’s best to start with the larger pieces before working your way down. Here are some of the main sizing options:
Oversized: over 100cm in length. This is a feature piece for a wall or room. Before ordering a print in this size, make sure to preview it on your wall to ensure it will fit.
Large: between 80-100cm in length. Pieces of this size are used as a centrepiece which can be balanced with smaller pieces on either side. One to two large pieces per room is standard.
Medium: artwork between 60-70cm in length. While this size can be used alone, it also goes well when grouped with other pieces. If you have a composition of multiple medium pieces, ensure they are hung symmetrically.
Small: 45-59cm in length. Portraits of this size are perfect to hang over shelves or on short walls. They can also be used in compositions.
Mini: between 25-44cm. These are the smallest pieces of art and will often be used in collections.
Feature piece or composition?
What do you want to do with your photos? Do you want to create a feature piece that attracts the eye when you walk into the room or would you prefer a series of photos (a composition) that tells a story?
Viewing your photos on your own walls
It is difficult to visualise how photos will look on your walls at home and to judge the size that will fit the best. Seeing the studio samples helps you get an idea about the size of the wall decorations but it’s often still difficult to visualise how your prints will look in your home.
This is where I come in. I have a piece of professional photography software which will help you make the right choice. This technology enables me to virtually project the photos from your portrait session on your walls giving you peace of mind when ordering your wall art.
All you need to do is tape a piece of A4 paper to the walls you wish to decorate, photograph them standing straight onto the wall and send them to me before your viewing session. When you come in to view your photos, you’ll be able to preview them in different sizes on your walls, enabling you choose the best size for your home.
A few tips to finish
Here are some last tips to consider when choosing your images:
- Photos should be placed at least 15cm above the edge of your furniture.
- A small photo can’t fill a big space. Group small photos together or place a large or oversized portrait to fill the space.
- Consider the height of your ceiling. If you have low ceilings, ensure your print isn’t too high for the space.
I hope this article makes choosing your wall art a little easier. It’s completely natural to be somewhat overwhelmed when picking the piece(s) as there’s a lot to consider. Having the ability to preview your pieces on your own walls will make your decision so much easier.
As always please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
OPrint