Your living room is the heart of your home, for most modern folks. If we’re not standing around the kitchen bar munching, then we’re probably plopped on the sofa in the living space. It’s where we rock babies, host friends, and cuddle with the family. As the most used space in the house, the living room deserves some special attention! In this article, I’ve found 10 fun living room art ideas to help give your favorite room some flavor! From bold paintings to clever wall hangings, there’s something here for everyone to add a unique touch. Let’s jump right into some creative and inspiring options!
How to Choose the Optimal Living Room Art
Every family’s style is different, and every living room has its own set of challenges. You may have intimidating, large wall spaces, an odd layout, or weird window placement. (I swear sometimes contractors are asleep or intoxicated when they build homes). Perhaps, you don’t know your style or feel insecure about branching out. Here are a few tips for creating a space that you’re happy to come home to!
Collect Data
Make a Pinterest board of your likes or save screenshots on your phone. Label the pictures with a comment about what you like about the art. It might be the color, the overall vibe, or the texture.
Keep Stats
Measure your wall space, and look for items that will occupy 60-75% of that space (or more). Carry a small tape measure with you when you shop so you can measure pieces you like.
Think Outside the Box
Art doesn’t have to be a picture on a wall. It can be a large leaning piece that occupies a corner, a collection of smaller pieces arranged in a group, or an unexpected piece of statuary.
Expand Slowly
Start slowly when you’re branching out. There’s nothing wrong with neutral and expected. Most people aren’t comfortable with extremes but encourage yourself to step slightly outside your comfort zone. Start with a piece that you really love and are drawn to over and over. Pair it with a few safe pieces so you don’t feel exposed. If you love it, it will spark you to venture further out next time.
Think About Texture and Shape
This is exceptionally important when dealing with a grouping of items. There must be something that pulls the collection together and grounds it. That can be color, a repeating shape, a recurrent texture, or a very specific overarching style like Indigenous Southwest.
Mix and Match
Don’t be afraid to mix it up. Most people enjoy a bit of the eclectic. Just follow the last rules and have something that joins your random items together.
Consider the Vibe
Think long and hard about the atmosphere you want to create. You may love stark, modern spaces on paper, but if you want your home to feel warm, cozy, and relaxing, that’s a hard juxtaposition to pull off (though not impossible).
Consider Longevity
You want to choose pieces you won’t get sick of in a few weeks, so steer clear of super trendy living room art, at least for your expensive pieces. I like to incorporate some cheaper items that I change out regularly alongside larger and more stationary pieces that I find timeless.
Stay in the Budget
If you blow the budget and get yourself in trouble, you’ll end up resenting your art pieces. Set a budget, and try to stick to it. It may mean you need to try your hand at DIY or wait for a Hobby Lobby sale, but waiting is not a bad idea. It gives you time to make sure you really love that piece!
Top Ten Living Room Art Ideas for a Special Space
This is a varied list of living room art ideas. Some you may love, some you may hate. I suggest choosing one or two that immediately draw your eye. From there, use Google Lens or a simple search to research more pieces in the same genre. If you love those too, then you’ve probably found your style!
1. Textile Wall Hangings

Textile wall hangings add a unique touch to any room. They bring color and texture, making spaces feel more inviting and visually interesting. Textile hangings are often used in a Southwestern motif, certain Asian styles, and the ever-popular Bohemian decor.
Pro Tip: Look at the hangings above. Though each is different, they share a similar shape, bottom fringe, and a limited color palette that makes them feel like a set. The circular shape of the central piece is mirrored in another side piece on the right and in the basket hanging on the left wall, tying it all together.
2. Hanging Garden Art Display

Hanging gardens are a fun way to bring nature indoors. They’re unexpected focal points that draw attention, but also feel soothing in a way. You can easily create a DIY version with real or artificial plants. Artificial is certainly easier! All you need is a large foam board and a collection of plants that you love.
My favorite aspect of these pieces is that you can rearrange the flowers at random or with the seasons to create an entirely new piece!
3. Sculptural Art Pieces

When thinking about the living room art you want, you probably have focused on your walls, but sometimes the biggest impact in a space isn’t the walls. This is especially true when a room has a ton of wall space that demands large pieces.
The designer has done a great job with the room above. Notice the side wall on the right has a textured wood or wallpaper art installation that helps visually occupy the space. The fireplace has a noticeable pattern to break up the space, and a large art piece with vibrant energy, but the star of the space is the unexpected sculpture in the center.
The piece adds visual interest to the space, but it also provides movement and is certainly a conversation starter. A large sculpture would also work well over in the corner where the standing lamp is stationed.
Pro Tip: Placement of vertical sculptures should not intersect or block conversation alleys. Make sure your piece is placed where it doesn’t impede conversation.
4. Nature-Inspired Photography

Nature-inspired photography brings the beauty of the outdoors right into our homes. These large images evoke a sense of being in the great outdoors and bring in personal experiences that you can reminisce about regularly.
Pro Tip: When choosing photography, try a mix of broader landscapes and an up-close and bold image like they have above. Keep them connected by using a similar filter or editing style.
5. Customized Canvas Prints

Customized canvas prints are a fun way to showcase your favorite moments. Whether it’s a beautiful landscape or a special family picture, these prints make your space feel more personal.
For a modern look, choose large canvases that are the same size as above. For a more lived-in feeling, have canvases made in several sizes and orientations and create a more eclectic gallery that feels like it’s been built over time.
6. Artisan Handmade Ceramics

If you don’t mind occasional dusting, then don’t pass over the ideas of ceramics! Handmade ceramics bring warmth and personality to your living space. They are a great collector’s item for travelers, bringing in a bit of your adventures and the wonderful cultures you’ve experienced into your home. Each piece tells its own story, showcasing unique designs and textures, but if you stick to a similar color palette, they’ll all work together seamlessly!
7. Children’s Art Corner

This cozy corner is a bright celebration of children’s creativity, or at least the appearance of it. For those who enjoy a more colorful and whimsical vibe, this living room art is perfect. It exudes joy and exuberance and paired with the colorful Mid-century furniture, it creates a space that you want to hang out in!
8. Rustic Wood Art Panels

If you prefer a natural and soothing atmosphere, rustic wood art panels add a warm touch that is hard to mimic with any other material. Wood elements bring natural beauty and character that is perfect for not only farmhouse decor but also cabins, coastal designs, and Scandinavian decor.
9. Seasonal Art Rotations

Changing up your art regularly is a cost-effective and easy way to refresh your space. Seasonal art rotations let you bring in new colors and themes that match the time of year. The most efficient way to do this is to create a photo gallery like the one above. You can then snap some photos when the seasons change, blow them up, and change them out as you please!
10. Minimalist Line Art

Minimalist line art adds a touch of elegance to any space. The simple curves and shapes create a calming atmosphere that invites relaxation for those who prefer a clean and minimalist space. These pieces are easy to find, relatively easy to create on your own, and are not typically too expensive.
Choose one large piece (I would have gone larger or with a horizontal piece in the space above. This one is too small for the large wall space and big sofa.) or pick multiple pieces in the same color palette to hang together.
Living Room Art Ideas: Final Thoughts
I truly hope you found your next style inspiration on this list of living room art ideas! Whether you’re considering embarking on a DIY project or looking for something premade, remember to consider the space, think about the vibe you want, and don’t be afraid to branch out a bit!
For more excellent art and decor ideas, check out our Art in Your Life blog. It’s full of amazing DIY ideas and fun decor to help you create your ideal space!