Choosing the Right Painting for Your Living Room

Image by MatthewHamblen.com 

Since the living room is where we receive guests in our house, there is no better room that this one for showcasing our personality. And as far as expressions of personality are concerned, few things are as strikingly effective as putting a painting or two on the wall.

So how do you choose the right paintings for your living room?

Style/genre
For a painting to be effective, it should support by the general theme of your living room.

For rooms that wish to exude quiet elegance, landscapes and floral still-life paintings are often the best choice. Realist or impressionist paintings of people at work, at play, or at rest are likewise elegant but tend to be less quiet. Paintings of animals tend to create a more casual atmosphere.

If your living room has a modern theme, an abstract painting may be more suitable.
Asian-themed living rooms are well advised to hang Asian-themed paintings as well, such as the black and white paintings and calligraphy created with Chinese or Japanese ink and brush.

Size and number
Note that your living room is not a museum. Do not put too many paintings in it, or it will look more like a gallery than a living space. Often, one painting is enough. Three is a safe maximum.

Remember that paintings are not photographs. Paintings tend to demand a place of honor, and extra space; photographs are less imperious.

If the space looks too much for a single photograph, it is probably just enough for a same-sized painting. On the other hand, if the space seems just right for a same-sized photograph, it is probably not enough space for a painting.