People choose art for their living rooms because it creates an atmosphere and adds personality to the space where they gather, relax, and entertain. And the most important advice we give art buyers is to buy what you love. An emotional connection matters more than any design rule, but loving an artwork and knowing it will work in your space aren’t mutually exclusive.Original art transforms your living room into a focal point, anchoring the entire space and providing visual interest that helps define the room’s mood and style. It serves a crucial design function by adding color and texture to break up blank walls while tying together your furniture and décor into a cohesive aesthetic. Understanding a few principles about scale and placement can help you confidently choose art. From measurements to styles, here’s how to pick the right art for your living room.1. What Size Art Should I Hang in My Living Room?Before you fall in love, measure your wall space. A common mistake is undersizing art, so it gets lost, or conversely, choosing something too large, which dominates the entire room.The Two-Thirds RuleYour art should take up about 2/3 to 3/4 of the furniture width beneath it. For a standard 84-inch sofa, that means looking for pieces that are 56-63 inches wide.If you don’t want a large-scale artwork, a diptych, triptych, or gallery wall can occupy the same visual space. Three 20×24″ pieces hung with 2-3 inches between them read as a single statement.Getting the Height RightThe center of your artwork should hang at eye level: 57-60 inches from floor to the center pointAbove furniture, leave 6-8 inches between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the frameMeasurement tip: Before you commit, tape the dimensions on your wall with painter’s tape, then sit with it for a day or two. You’ll know immediately if it works or if you need to go bigger or smaller. This only takes a couple of minutes and prevents buyer’s remorse.2. Horizontal vs. Vertical: Which Art Orientation Works Best?Horizontal pieces naturally complement furniture lines, making rooms feel wider. They’re ideal:Above sofas, fireplaces, or console tablesAnchoring long, narrow wallsVertical pieces draw the eye upward and can make ceilings feel higher. Best used for:Open walls without furniture beneathBalancing out low, horizontal furniture elsewhere in the roomSquare formats offer versatility. They work well for:Modern, minimalist spaces where symmetry feels intentionalGallery walls as anchor pieces3. What Art Styles Work Best in Living Rooms?The style you choose can dictate how your entire room feels. Here’s how to think about the most common art styles:Abstracts: The most versatile and popular option for living rooms. Abstract art invites personal interpretation and works with changing decor.If you’re not sure what to look for, try: Intentional composition, layers and depth of mark-making, purposeful color palettes, and visual movement that guides your eye. See curator recommendations here.Landscapes: Brings recognizable imagery and a sense of place. Contemporary landscapes feel fresh when they play with perspective, color, or scale.If you’re not sure what to look for, try: Atmosphere you can feel, simplified forms or unexpected perspectives, and scale that matches the grandeur or intimacy of the scene. See curator recommendations here.Portraits: Faces naturally draw the eye. Add intimacy and warmth that becomes an instant conversation piece in a space where people gather.If you’re not sure what to look for, try: Personality that comes through clearly, scale that creates connection without feeling invasive, confident rendering of form. See curator recommendations here.4. Is Original Art Worth the Investment for My Living Room?Budget is where many people get stuck, but the real value of original art may be more practical than you think.The Financial Reality: Original art from emerging artists typically costs between $500 and $5,000. That’s comparable to what you’d spend on a quality sofa or rug, but unlike furniture, original art doesn’t wear out or go out of style.The Uniqueness Factor: Original art means no one else will ever have the exact piece hanging in their living room. In an age of mass production, that distinctiveness has its own worth. Guests notice original art in ways they don’t when they see prints or reproductions.5. How Do I Choose Art Without Being an Expert?You don’t need to understand art movements and techniques to choose work that you love for your living room. Here’s what actually matters:Trust Your Gut: If a piece makes you pause and look longer, that’s worth paying attention to. Strong art holds your attention even when you’re not sure why.Consider Mood: Some art energizes a space, while others calm it. Your living room likely serves multiple functions, so consider the dominant mood you want to create.If you need more in-depth help on choosing art, check out our beginner’s guide to collecting.6. Making Your Final DecisionMeasure your space, understand the basics of placement and orientation, and look for original work that delivers visual impact and long-term value. The best art for your living room checks all those boxes and makes you want to look at it every day. And when you’re ready to make a purchase, Saatchi Art offers a 14-day satisfaction guarantee, so you can see how the work actually looks in your living room.The post Choosing the Right Art for Your Living Room appeared first on Canvas: A Blog By Saatchi Art.