Large wall art has the power to completely transform a living room.
A well-chosen piece can anchor furniture, create a focal point and make an entire space feel more considered and professionally styled. Yet many homeowners struggle with the same questions: How large should the artwork be? Where should it hang? Which style works best?
If you're decorating a spacious living room or simply want to create greater visual impact, these designer-approved tips will help you choose the right artwork with confidence.
1. Think Bigger Than You Initially Feel Comfortable With
One of the most common decorating mistakes is choosing artwork that's too small.
Many homeowners underestimate how much wall space artwork can comfortably occupy. In larger living rooms, extra large wall art often creates a stronger visual impact than several smaller pieces grouped together.
For larger Australian homes, artwork between 180cm and 300cm wide often creates the most balanced result.
2. Use Artwork to Create a Focal Point
Every living room benefits from having a visual focal point.
Large wall art naturally draws attention and helps establish hierarchy within the room. Positioning artwork above the main sofa is often the most effective way to anchor the space.
Rather than treating artwork as an afterthought, think of it as one of the room's key design elements.
3. Match the Shape to the Wall
The shape of the artwork can be just as important as the artwork itself.
- Landscape artwork works beautifully above sofas.
- Portrait artwork suits narrower wall spaces.
- Square artwork creates a balanced, contemporary feel.
- Panoramic artwork works particularly well on larger feature walls.
Choosing the right shape helps the artwork feel connected to the architecture of the room.
For a deeper look at artwork formats, read our guide to Landscape vs Portrait vs Square vs Panoramic Wall Art.
4. Consider the Colour Palette of the Room
Artwork doesn't need to match every cushion or decorative object in the room.
Instead, choose artwork that either:
- Reinforces existing colours
- Introduces a complementary accent colour
- Creates contrast within a neutral interior
Coastal blues, warm neutrals and botanical greens continue to be popular choices in Australian living rooms because they work with a wide range of interior styles.
5. Use One Statement Piece Instead of Multiple Smaller Pieces
While gallery walls can be effective, larger living rooms often benefit from a single oversized artwork.
One statement piece creates a cleaner, more sophisticated appearance and prevents visual clutter.
This approach works particularly well in open-plan homes where artwork needs enough presence to hold its own within a larger space.
6. Position Artwork Lower Than You Think
Many homeowners hang artwork too high. Read our guide on how high to hang wall art.
As a general guideline:
- Leave approximately 15–25cm between the sofa and the bottom of the artwork.
- Allow the artwork to feel visually connected to the furniture below.
When artwork sits too high, it can feel disconnected from the room.
For more placement tips, see our guide on How High Should You Hang Wall Art?
7. Don't Be Afraid of Panoramic Artwork
Panoramic artwork is one of the most underused formats in residential interiors.
Its wider proportions make it particularly effective above:
- Long sofas
- Sideboards
- Open-plan living areas
- Feature walls
For larger living rooms, panoramic artwork between 210cm and 300cm wide can create a dramatic gallery-inspired look.
8. Consider the Room's Natural Light
Lighting plays a major role in how artwork is experienced.
Rooms with large windows often suit lighter coastal scenes, nature-inspired artwork and softer colour palettes. Darker interiors can benefit from brighter artwork that helps lift the overall mood of the space.
Always consider how artwork will appear throughout different times of the day.
9. Choose Artwork That Reflects Your Personal Style
Trends come and go, but artwork tends to stay on the wall for years.
Choose pieces that genuinely resonate with you rather than selecting artwork purely because it is fashionable.
Popular living room styles include:
- Coastal Wall Art
- Landscape & Nature Art
- Floral Wall Art
- Abstract Art
- Hamptons Wall Art
- Contemporary Art
The best artwork is often the piece that still feels right years after you've installed it.
10. Let the Artwork Breathe
Large artwork creates impact because it has space around it.
Avoid overcrowding feature walls with multiple decorative objects, shelves or competing focal points.
Giving artwork room to breathe allows it to become the hero of the space and creates a more refined, gallery-inspired appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size wall art is best above a sofa?
Artwork should generally be around two-thirds to three-quarters the width of the sofa beneath it.
Is one large artwork better than multiple smaller pieces?
In larger living rooms, a single oversized piece often creates a cleaner and more impactful result.
What type of artwork works best in a living room?
Coastal, landscape, floral, abstract and contemporary artwork are all popular choices. The best option depends on your home's overall style and colour palette.
How high should artwork hang above a sofa?
Leave approximately 15–25cm between the top of the sofa and the bottom of the artwork.
Final Thoughts
Large wall art can completely transform a living room, creating a focal point that ties the entire space together.
By choosing the right size, shape, placement and style, you can create a room that feels balanced, welcoming and professionally designed.
Explore our Large Wall Art collection to discover oversized fabric prints available in landscape, portrait, square and panoramic formats up to 300cm wide.
