How to choose artwork for your Home That You'll Love for Years
- Kim Hannan - Artist
- Jul 22
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 25
How Do I Choose the Right Artwork for My Home?
Have you ever fallen in love with a piece of artwork...only to wonder if it would actually look right once you got it home?
You're not alone.
One of the questions I hear most often from collectors is:
"I know my room needs art...I just don't know what belongs there."
It's rarely because people don't know what they like. More often, they're trying to balance style, color, size, mood, and budget—all while hoping they'll make the right decision.
The good news? Choosing artwork isn't about following decorating rules. It's about creating a room that feels like you.
Here are the three things I encourage every client to consider before purchasing artwork.
Start With the Feeling You Want Your Room to Have
Before you think about colors, frames, or sizes, ask yourself one simple question:
How do I want this room to feel?
Peaceful? Joyful? Cozy? Inspired? Energized? Inspired by nature?
Choose artwork that creates that feeling every time you walk into the room.
Artwork has an incredible ability to shape the atmosphere of a room. The subject you choose becomes part of the emotional experience of living there every day.
A tranquil egret or soft botanical can help create a calming retreat.
A colorful rooster or tropical bird can energize a kitchen or breakfast nook.
A dramatic landscape can become the anchor that draws people into a living room.
When you begin with emotion instead of decoration, choosing artwork becomes much easier.
The most memorable homes aren't curated around expensive décor—they're curated around meaningful pieces that reflect who lives there.
Never buy art simply because it matches the sofa. Buy it because it speaks to you.
Let your room tell you its color story.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that artwork has to perfectly match a room.
It doesn't.
Instead, think of your artwork as part of your room's overall color story.
Look around your space.What colors already make you smile?
Perhaps it's the throw pillows.
A favorite chair.
A rug.
Fresh flowers.
Those elements often provide all the inspiration you need.
Artwork should feel like it naturally belongs in the room—not because every color matches exactly, but because it complements the personality you've already created.
Think of your artwork as another layer in your room's color story.
Size Matters More Than Most People Think
Even beautiful artwork can feel "off" if it's the wrong size for the wall.
This is probably the biggest mistake I see.
Many people begin shopping by choosing a standard print size—8×10, 11×14, or 16×20—before they've even measured the wall. It sounds familiar. It sounds safe. It sounds affordable.
Most walls deserve something larger. And larger doesn't have to mean "too expensive."
Artwork placed above a sofa, fireplace, console table, or bed should feel proportionate to the furniture beneath it. A piece that's too small often disappears visually, while one that's properly scaled brings balance and confidence to the entire room.
One of my favorite tricks is wonderfully simple. My husband used this to help us pick our "monster TV" when we upgraded from a standard TV recently.
Tape together sheets of printer paper or use newspaper to match the dimensions you're considering, then step back across the room. You'll immediately get a better sense of whether the artwork will have the presence the space deserves.
Today's homes are different.
Open floor plans, higher ceilings, larger furniture, and wider walls all call for artwork with greater visual presence. A piece that feels comfortably sized when you're holding it in a gallery can suddenly seem tiny once it's hanging above an eight-foot sofa or a large fireplace mantel.
Choosing Artwork Should Feel Exciting...Not Stressful
After helping collectors choose artwork for awhile, I've recognized a trend.
The questions people ask aren't really about art.
They're about confidence.
"Will this fit?"
"Will I still love it a year from now?" "Am I choosing the right size?"
"Does it work with my home?"
Those are good questions.
And they're exactly the questions I've been hearing—and answering in person—for quite awhile.
Why I Created My Art Match™
The more I listened to neighbors, friends, homeowners and collectors, the more I realized
something.
The challenge isn't finding beautiful artwork.
The challenge is knowing which piece truly belongs in your home.
That's why I've spent the past several weeks building something new.
My Art Match™ is a guided experience designed to removal all the guesswork and question and results in curated art choices that will give you the feeling you want your home to have.
Instead of scrolling endlessly through hundreds of images, you'll answer a few thoughtful questions. Then I'll personally review your responses and recommend artwork I believe will be a beautiful fit for your space.
It's my way of helping you choose artwork with the same care I give my friends.
I'm Excited to Share It With You
I'm putting the finishing touches on My Art Match™ this week, and if everything goes as planned, I'll be introducing it this Saturday.
My hope is simple.
That choosing artwork becomes less about second-guessing...and more about confidently creating a home you'll love coming back to every day.
I can't wait for you to experience it.
Let's find the piece your home has been waiting for.
If this story resonated with you, perhaps there's a piece of artwork waiting to become part of your own story.
Through My Art Match, I'll personally help you explore artwork in your space so you can choose with confidence—before making a decision. Try it - with my compliments.
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