If your walls could talk, what would they say?
Steer the conversation yourself with a piece of art of a print to liven up your space.
Whether it’s to inspire, provoke thought and discussion, or simply inject some colour to your walls without the faff of putting up wallpaper, a well chosen print can lift your spirits, as well as your walls.
There are no real rules to picking art for your living room, except, of course, that you like it. A good rule of thumb though, is to ensure it ties in (or stands out, if you prefer) with your living room’s style and decor - it is the heart of the home, after all. Perhaps you want something with colours that tie in with your existing furnishings, or you’re looking for a piece that will pick out the shade of your curtain trims or cushions.
Look around and decide on the right spot: if you’re just after a wash of colour to sit behind the TV or furniture, an abstract piece might be more suitable than a print with rich detail. Similarly, if you want to fill a feature wall, art that reveals something new with every glance will feel engaging and interesting.
Before anything else: measure. Crack out the measuring tape so you have an idea of the space you want to fill, and consequently, the size of the print you’re shopping for. For big prints or one in unusual sizes, look for options that come with a ready made mount and frame for free or as an add-on purchase. Nothing worse than waiting for a print delivery and then having to wait again for the right frame to set it in.
While art is very much a personal thing, we’ve found a few pretty prints to help inspire your new living room style. From reproductions of some of the art world’s masterpieces to contemporary prints, see the edit below.
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East Urban Home Water Lilies Lily Pond Vol.8 by Claude Monet
Show me the Monet! If you haven’t quite gathered the funds for the legendary French painter’s original artworks, East Urban Home’s Water Lillies print is a worthy alternative that won’t break the bank. Measuring 36 x 27 x 2cm, it comes in a choice of frame colours: black, oak wood effect and walnut. A lovely piece to add to living rooms lacking inspiring scenery IRL.
Buy now £39.99, Wayfair
Artfully Walls Clouds Wall Art
The squeezed nature of London living means that many residents often have nothing but a brick wall to look out onto. Change your POV with this Artfully Walls print, originally painted by Dutch artist Philine van der Vegte. The simple piece promises to breathe fresh air into smaller rooms, helping them look and feel more spacious. Take solace that whatever the weather is doing outside, you’ll always have a patch of blue to look at.
Buy now £238.00, Anthropologie
Katsushika Hokusai - The Great Wave off Kanagawa, Grey Painted Ash Framed Print
One of the most recognisable pieces of Japanese art, The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai feels fresh, despite dating back to the 18th Century. Showing the strength of the ocean with Mt. Fuji peeking out in the background, it will be as at home in the living room as in a bathroom or hallway. The piece is made in the UK and measures H56 x W73.6 x D3cm.
Buy now £130.00, John Lewis
Fy! Kirche In Cassone, Gustav Klimt Art Print
Perhaps best known for The Kiss, Austrian master Gustav Klimt’s artwork spans all sorts of Art Nouveau gems, including this: Kirche in Cassone (Church in Cassone). Fy! has it as a square giclée print available in seven sizes, from 30 x 30cm to 100 x 100cm. Showing Cypress trees and other greenery over the town, there are plenty of rich details to admire. You’ll never call your walls boring again.
Buy now £13.00, Fy!
Artfully Walls Scarlet Fields Ablaze Wall Art
As well as swoon-worthy furniture and home accessories, it may surprise you to learn that Anthropologie also offers a selection of art for your walls. From US painter Casey Chalem Anderson comes this serene garden-themed print is made using archival ink printed on 320gsm fine art museum-quality paper. Measuring 37 x 52 x 4cm and set in a handsome wood frame, it’s an easy way to elevate your living space. Exclusive to Anthropologie.
Buy now £238.00, Anthropologie
Georgia O’Keeffe My Front Yard, Summer, 1941
If you’re tired of your view, this reproduction offers an alternative: namely Georgia O’Keeffe’s front garden when she lived in New Mexico in the early 40s. The celebrated trailblazing artist was transfixed by the desert landscape and is now a scene you can enjoy in your own ranch. Available from the Tate’s online shop, it comes in a selection of sizes to best suit your room.
From £25.
Buy now £25.00, Tate Shop
EAST END PRINTS Kubistika ‘Winter Morning’ Framed Print
If you’re not brave enough to paint your whole lounge in one bright colour, introducing vibrancy through a print is a smart decorating hack - with the bonus that when you tire of it you can easily exchange it for something else. Bring warmth into your space with this giclée art print by Berlin-based designer Kubistika, depicting a crisp winter morning scene. It comes in a choice of frame colours and sizes.
Buy now £38.25, John Lewis
Sabina Fenn Italian Shore Poster Art Print
Feel transported every time you walk into your living room by adding a travel-themed print to your walls. This one by Canadian artist and illustrator Sabina Fenn inspires Italian wanderlust showing stacked houses on an unknown cliffside by the sea. The soft tones with bursts of brightness give it universal appeal. Measures 27.94 x 35.56cm.
Buy now £62.00, Wolf & Badger
East Urban Home Abstract Art Painting Vol.443 by S.Johnson
The wonderful thing about abstract pieces such as this is that they can add washes of colour to a wall without having to paint the entire thing or put up wallpaper. Hanging it behind the TV or in front of a vase creates a little moment that’s easy to swap and change whenever you fancy an update. With so many colours making up the piece, it’s an easy look to tie into many interiors. Available in black, oak and walnut coloured frames.
Buy now £30.99, Wayfair
So’Home Astratto Cream and Mauve Framed Wall Art
The joy of abstract is that you can see something new each time you look at it. Take this metallic and blush print from La Redoute: where some see a blur of peonies under a golden sky, others may get the feeling of a sunset. Measuring 123 x 83 x 4cm, the large piece is also a good way to help partition large spaces and create distinct rooms within rooms.
Buy now £98.10, La Redoute
EAST END PRINTS HollieGraphik ‘Gin & Tonic’ Framed Print
Prefer a statement look? East End Prints has them by the gallery load including this red, pink and peach print picking out the iconic lyrics of Oasis’ 1994 hit, Supersonic. One for Britpop fans as much as G&T obsessives. Have it ready to hang by choosing a white, oak or black frame for delivery.
Buy now £38.25, John Lewis
Reign & Hall Mardy Bum Arctic Monkeys print
Arctic Monkeys fans will go wild for this print, which contains the lyrics for Mardy Bum in one frame. The bright yet minimalist look offers a way to transform tired walls while expressing your love for one of England’s greatest Indie bands. It’s made in the UK but comes without a frame and comes in four sizes, from A3 to A0. Perfect as a standalone print or as part of a gallery wall.
Buy now £23.00, Wolf & Badger
Hebe Studio Living Room Cat Art Print
Offering an Inception-style addition to your living room walls comes this contemporary print from Hebe Studio. It shows a lounge scene with a black and white cat perched on a sofa in front of a shelf filled with yet more artwork. If you’re looking for a playful addition to add to your decor, this is a fun way to do it. Offered in a range of sizes with frames available as an add-on purchase.
Buy now £16.00, Fy!
Bay Isle Home Flamingo And Pelican by Henry Stacy Marks
A pair of feathered friends to add whimsy to your interiors, the print of a flamingo and pelican is rendered through a 12 colour Giclée printing process, bringing forward the finer details. It’s made in the UK and is available on framed or unframed paper as well as wrapped canvas.
Buy now £32.99, Wayfair
Amy Gardner Dolly - Aubergine
Offering affordable contemporary artworks by female artists, online shop Aunt Joy Gallery has dozens of pieces ripe for breathing new life into your home. Gallery founder and contemporary artist Amy Gardner’s collection is a riotous selection of prints in homage to womanhood including female icons such as Dolly Parton, Marilyn Monroe, Wonderwoman and more.
Buy now £110.00, Aunt Joy Gallery
