How To Choose Wall Art For Your Bedroom

Your bedroom walls tell a story about who you are, and the right wall art can transform an ordinary space into your personal sanctuary. Blank walls miss the chance to express your personality and create the atmosphere you want for rest and relaxation.

The art you choose sets the mood the moment you walk in – whether you want to feel energized in the morning or relaxed at night. Studies show that surrounding yourself with meaningful art can reduce stress and improve your mental well-being.

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Wall art also serves as a natural focal point, drawing the eye and bringing all your bedroom décor elements together into one cohesive look. From canvas prints to family photos, your wall art choices will define your bedroom’s character and create the perfect backdrop for both peaceful nights and fresh mornings.

Ready to transform your bedroom walls? Let’s explore how to choose the perfect wall art that speaks to your style and creates your ideal bedroom atmosphere.

Finding Your Style

Before diving into wall art selections, you need to understand your personal style and how it fits into your bedroom’s overall design. Your unique preferences will guide every decision, from choosing colors to picking the perfect art pieces.

Personal Taste Assessment

Take time to explore what truly catches your eye by browsing through home décor magazines, Pinterest boards, or Instagram feeds. Notice which styles make you stop scrolling—whether it’s modern minimalist pieces, vintage illustrations, or bold abstract designs.

Ask yourself what emotions different artworks evoke and whether those feelings match what you want to experience in your bedroom. Consider your existing furniture style and how new art pieces might complement or contrast with it.

Keep track of common elements in the artwork you’re drawn to, such as specific colors, shapes, or subjects. Remember that your taste might combine different styles, and that’s perfectly fine. Your bedroom should reflect your unique personality.

The goal isn’t to fit into a single category but to create a space that feels authentically yours.

Current Bedroom Theme

Evaluate your bedroom’s existing design elements, from your bedding to your furniture finishes. Look at the current color palette, patterns, and textures that dominate your space. Consider whether your bedroom follows a specific theme, such as coastal, industrial, bohemian, or contemporary.

Take note of any statement pieces you already have and think about how new wall art can complement rather than compete with them. Pay attention to your room’s lighting, as it will affect how your wall art appears throughout the day.

Factor in any architectural features, like sloped ceilings or built-in shelves, that might influence your art placement. Think about seasonal changes and whether you might want to switch out certain pieces throughout the year.

Color Schemes

Start by identifying your bedroom’s primary and accent colors to ensure your wall art creates a harmonious look. Use the color wheel to find complementary shades that will enhance your existing palette without overwhelming the space.

Consider the 60-30-10 rule, where your wall art can contribute to either the dominant color (60%), secondary color (30%), or accent color (10%) in your room. Remember that neutral wall art can work in any space, while bold colors should be used strategically to create impact without dominating.

Think about how different colors affect sleep and your mood. Blues and greens promote tranquility, while yellows and oranges add energy. Factor in your wall color and how various artwork colors will pop against or blend with it.

Pay special attention to metallics, black, and white, as these versatile options can tie together different color schemes.

Sizing It Right

Getting the size right can make the difference between wall art that looks perfectly placed and pieces that feel awkwardly floating. Understanding basic sizing principles will help you create a balanced and visually appealing display in your bedroom.

Wall Space Measurements

Start by measuring your available wall space with a tape measure, noting both the height and width of potential art placement areas. Remember to account for furniture placement and any architectural features like windows or air vents that might affect your artwork positioning.

Leave at least 6-8 inches of breathing room between furniture edges and your artwork to prevent the space from feeling cramped. Consider the viewing distance—larger rooms need bigger pieces to maintain visual impact from across the space.

Take photos of your empty walls and use a basic photo editing app to sketch out different size options. This visual planning can save you from costly sizing mistakes later.

Proper Proportions

For artwork above your bed, choose pieces that are approximately 2/3 to 3/4 the width of your bed to create a balanced look. Don’t go wider than your bed, as this can make the space feel top-heavy.

When hanging art above furniture like dressers or nightstands, select pieces that are 50-75% of the furniture’s width. This creates a pleasing visual relationship between the art and the piece it’s hanging above.

For large empty walls, bigger is usually better. Small artwork can look lost on a big wall, unless you go for a full gallery wall. Consider pieces that take up at least 60% of the available wall space for a dramatic impact.

Gallery Wall Planning

Start your gallery wall planning by gathering all potential pieces and arranging them on the floor first. Leave 2-3 inches between frames for a tight, cohesive look, or 4-6 inches for a more spacious feel.

Mix different sizes but maintain a sense of balance—pair larger pieces with smaller ones and spread them evenly throughout the arrangement. Consider using odd numbers of pieces, as they tend to be more visually interesting than even-numbered groupings.

Create a paper template for each piece and tape these to your wall to test different arrangements before making any holes. Remember that gallery walls can grow over time, so leave some room for future additions.

When mixing frame styles, stick to a consistent color palette for the frames to maintain cohesiveness. Consider the overall shape of your gallery wall (whether it’s rectangular, circular, or organic) and how it complements your room’s layout.

Choosing Art Types

Understanding different art types helps you select pieces that match both your style and your bedroom’s atmosphere. Each type of wall art brings unique textures, depths, and visual interest to your space.

Canvas Prints

Canvas prints offer a modern, gallery-like feel without the high cost of original paintings. The frameless design creates a contemporary look that works well in any bedroom style.

Look for high-quality canvas with vivid colors and sharp images that won’t fade over time. Choose gallery-wrapped edges for a clean, professional finish that doesn’t require additional framing.

Consider the canvas depth—deeper canvases (1.5-2 inches) create a more substantial presence, while thinner ones (0.75 inches) appear more delicate. Pick UV-resistant prints if your bedroom receives lots of natural light.

Framed Photographs

Framed photographs add a personal touch to your bedroom while maintaining a polished look. Select high-resolution images that won’t appear pixelated when enlarged to your desired size.

Consider frame styles that complement your room’s decor—sleek metal frames for modern spaces, ornate designs for traditional rooms, or natural wood for a casual feel.

Black and white photographs offer timeless appeal and work with any color scheme, while color photos can tie together your room’s palette.

Metal Wall Art

Metal wall art adds dimension and reflects light in unique ways throughout the day. Choose from options like brushed aluminum, copper, or steel to match your bedroom’s hardware and fixtures.

Consider geometric designs for modern spaces or nature-inspired pieces for a more organic feel. Metal art often creates interesting shadows, adding another layer of visual interest to your walls.

Remember that metal art can be heavier than other options, so ensure your walls and hanging hardware can support the weight safely.

Tapestries

Tapestries bring softness and texture to bedroom walls while offering excellent sound absorption properties. They work especially well in rooms with high ceilings or large wall spaces.

Look for high-quality materials that hang well and won’t sag over time. Consider seasonal options you can switch out—lighter fabrics for summer and heavier weaves for winter.

Remember that tapestries collect dust more easily than other wall art types, so choose machine-washable options if possible.

Mixed Media Pieces

Mixed media artwork combines different materials and techniques to create unique, textured pieces. These works can serve as fascinating focal points that add depth and interest to your bedroom walls.

Consider pieces that incorporate materials that appear elsewhere in your room—like wood, metal, or fabric – to create cohesion in your design.

Mixed media art often tells complex stories through its layers and textures, making it perfect for spaces where you want to encourage contemplation and creativity.

Remember that these pieces might require special cleaning considerations due to their varied materials and textures.

Theme Selection

Selecting the right theme for your bedroom wall art helps create a cohesive look that matches your personality and the atmosphere you want to achieve. Your chosen theme should reflect both your personal style and the function of your bedroom.

Nature and Landscapes

Natural scenes can transform your bedroom into a calming retreat, bringing the outdoors inside. Studies Verified Source ScienceDirect One of the largest hubs for research studies and has published over 12 million different trusted resources. View source show Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source that nature scenes can reduce stress and improve sleep quality.

Consider the mood you want to create—sunrise photos for an energizing atmosphere with bedroom dopamine decor or sunset scenes for a relaxing vibe. Choose landscapes that feature colors matching your bedroom’s palette—like serene beaches, misty mountains, or peaceful forests.

Large-scale nature prints can create the illusion of a window, making your room feel more spacious and connected to the outdoors. Think about choosing scenes from places that hold special meaning or destinations you dream of visiting.

Abstract Designs

Abstract art offers endless possibilities for adding color, movement, and emotion to your bedroom walls. These pieces work particularly well in modern or contemporary spaces, where they can make bold statements.

Look for abstract pieces that incorporate your room’s color scheme while introducing complementary shades. The fluid or geometric patterns can add dynamic energy or create a sense of calm, depending on the design.

Remember that abstract art is highly personal. Choose pieces that speak to you emotionally rather than trying to match what others might expect.

Personal Photos

Transform meaningful moments into stunning wall art by displaying personal photographs. Choose high-resolution images that tell your story—from family portraits to travel adventures.

Consider creating a cohesive look by editing all photos with similar filters or converting them to black and white. Group related images together to tell a complete story or highlight a specific theme.

Update your photo displays seasonally to keep your space fresh and reflect new memories as they’re made.

Motivational Quotes

Select quotes that genuinely resonate with your personal goals and values rather than generic phrases. Consider typography styles that match your room’s aesthetic—from elegant script to bold modern fonts.

Keep quote art simple and readable. Avoid overly complicated designs that might be hard to read first thing in the morning. Place motivational quotes where you’ll see them during your daily routine.

Remember that less is more with quote art. One or two powerful statements will have more impact than walls covered in text.

Minimalist Art

Minimalist pieces use simple elements to create striking visual impact. Look for artwork with clean lines, limited color palettes, and plenty of negative space.

Choose pieces that make strong statements through simplicity rather than complexity. Consider geometric shapes, simple line drawings, or basic color blocks that complement your room’s design.

Remember that minimalist art doesn’t mean boring—even simple pieces can create dramatic effects through scale, contrast, and careful placement.

Pair minimalist art with simple frames or choose frameless options to maintain the clean, uncluttered aesthetic.

Placement Guidelines

The right placement of your wall art can dramatically enhance your bedroom’s visual appeal and flow. Understanding basic placement principles helps create a balanced and harmonious space that feels professionally designed.

Above the Bed

The space above your bed serves as your bedroom’s natural focal point and deserves special attention. Choose artwork that spans roughly two-thirds to three-quarters of your bed’s width for ideal proportions.

Center your art horizontally above the bed, leaving equal space on both sides. For king-size beds, consider using a triptych (three-piece artwork) or a carefully arranged grouping to fill the space appropriately.

If you live in an earthquake-prone area, consider lighter pieces or professional installation with security hardware to ensure safety while sleeping.

Empty Wall Spaces

Identify empty wall spaces that feel bare or neglected, but avoid the temptation to fill every blank space. Sometimes negative space helps create visual balance and prevents the room from feeling cluttered.

Consider the natural traffic flow of your room when placing art in empty spaces. Artwork should draw the eye without disrupting movement through the space.

Create conversation areas by placing art near seating areas or getting-ready spaces like vanities or dressing areas. Remember that empty corners can come alive with tall, vertical pieces or carefully arranged gallery clusters.

Height Considerations

The center of your artwork should generally hang at eye level, approximately 57-60 inches from the floor. This standard gallery height creates a professional, well-planned look.

When hanging art above furniture, leave 6-8 inches of space between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the artwork. This creates breathing room while maintaining a visual connection between the pieces.

For rooms with high ceilings, consider using oversized pieces or vertical arrangements to draw the eye upward and take advantage of the extra space. However, keep pieces at a viewable height – art placed too high loses its impact.

Remember to consider your viewing position. Art viewed primarily while lying in bed might need to be positioned differently than pieces viewed while standing.

Budget Considerations

Creating a beautiful bedroom gallery doesn’t require breaking the bank. Smart shopping and creative solutions can help you achieve your desired look while staying within your budget.

Price Ranges

Start by setting a realistic budget for your entire wall art project, keeping in mind that larger pieces typically cost more. Quality art prints can range from $50-$200, while original artwork might start at $300 and go up significantly.

Consider investing more in statement pieces for focal points like above your bed, while choosing more affordable options for secondary spaces.

Factor in additional costs like frames, hanging hardware, and professional installation for heavy or valuable pieces. Remember that good framing can make inexpensive art look high-end, while poor framing can make expensive art look cheap.

DIY Options

Create personalized wall art by framing your own photography, travel maps, or meaningful documents. Turn your digital photos into large-scale prints at local print shops for a fraction of the cost of pre-made art.

Experiment with simple canvas painting techniques like color blocking or abstract patterns. Even beginners can create striking pieces with the right tools and patience.

Consider creating a gallery wall using a mix of purchased and handmade items. Try pressing and framing botanical specimens, creating simple line drawings, or experimenting with textile art.

Remember that DIY frames, mats, and hanging solutions can save money, but some projects might require professional framing to look their best and last longer.

Look for online tutorials and workshops that teach basic art-making skills. Investing in learning can lead to creating multiple pieces for your space.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Knowing what not to do can be just as important as knowing what to do when selecting and arranging bedroom wall art. These common pitfalls can impact the overall look and feel of your space.

Wrong Sizing

Choosing artwork that’s too small is one of the most common mistakes. Tiny pieces can look lost on large walls and fail to make an impact. Always measure your wall space and create paper templates before purchasing art.

Remember the proportions rule: art above furniture should be approximately 2/3 to 3/4 the width of the piece it’s hanging over. Going too small or too large disrupts the visual balance of your room.

Don’t forget to consider the room’s dimensions. A massive piece might overwhelm a small bedroom, while tiny artwork can look inadequate in a large space with high ceilings.

Poor Lighting

Failing to consider natural and artificial light sources can diminish the impact of your wall art. Artwork placed in direct sunlight may fade over time, while pieces in dark corners might go unnoticed.

Install proper bedroom lighting specifically for your artwork. Try picture lights or adjustable track lighting that can highlight your pieces and create ambiance. Consider how different times of day affect the visibility and appearance of your art.

Remember that glossy frames or glass can create glare. Position these pieces away from direct light sources (beneficial as morning sunlight can be for, it’s not for art) or use non-glare glass when framing.

Overcrowding

Resist the urge to fill every inch of wall space—overcrowding makes a room feel cluttered and chaotic. Each piece needs breathing room to be properly appreciated, and you don’t want a bedroom so visually “noisy” that it keeps you from falling asleep fast.

Follow the rule of negative space: leave enough empty wall area around each piece or grouping to create visual balance. In gallery arrangements, maintain consistent spacing between pieces.

Don’t compete with other design elements—too many patterns, colors, or focal points can make a room feel overwhelming. Sometimes removing a piece can make a bigger impact than adding one.

Consider rotating your art collection seasonally rather than displaying everything at once. This allows each piece to shine while keeping your space fresh and interesting throughout the year.

FAQs

How can I protect my bedroom wall art from fading?

UV exposure is the biggest threat to wall art, so start by assessing the natural light in your room and considering UV-protective glass or acrylic for framed pieces. Install window treatments that can filter harmful rays while still allowing natural light into the room.

For canvas prints and photographs, look for pieces printed with UV-resistant inks and consider applying a protective spray designed for artwork. Rotate artwork seasonally if certain walls receive more direct sunlight than others.

What size artwork should I use above my bed?

The ideal size depends on your bed’s width, but a general rule is to choose pieces that span about 2/3 to 3/4 of the bed’s width. For a queen-size bed, this typically means artwork around 40-50 inches wide, while a king-size bed can handle pieces 60-70 inches wide.

Consider the height of your ceiling and the space between your bed and ceiling when determining the vertical dimension. If one large piece feels overwhelming, try a triptych or a carefully curated collection of smaller pieces that together meet these size guidelines.

How high should I hang my artwork?

The general rule is to hang artwork so its center point is at eye level, typically 57-60 inches from the floor.

However, this rule changes when you’re hanging art above furniture. In these cases, leave 6-8 inches of space between the top of your furniture and the bottom of your artwork.

For bedrooms specifically, consider your most common viewing positions, including when you’re lying in bed or sitting at a vanity. Take into account your ceiling height as well, as rooms with high ceilings might benefit from slightly higher placement to maintain proportion.

Can I mix different types of wall art together?

Absolutely—mixing different types of wall art can create a rich, layered look that adds personality to your bedroom. The key is to find a common element that ties everything together, whether it’s color scheme, frame style, or subject matter.

Start with larger anchor pieces and add smaller complementary items around them. Consider mixing mediums like combining canvas prints with framed photographs, or pairing metal wall art with textile pieces for interesting texture contrasts.

How do I create a cohesive gallery wall in my bedroom?

Start by collecting pieces that share a common element—this could be color palette, frame style, theme, or even mat color. Lay out your arrangement on the floor first and experiment with different configurations until you find one that feels balanced.

Consider starting with a larger central piece and building outward, maintaining consistent spacing between frames (2-3 inches for a tight look, 4-6 inches for a looser feel).

Take photos of your arrangements to help you decide, and use paper templates on the wall before making any holes.

Should I match my wall art with my bedding?

Your wall art doesn’t need to match your bedding exactly, but they should complement each other to create a cohesive look. Think of your bedding as a foundation that can inspire your art choices through color, pattern, or theme.

For example, if you have floral bedding, you might choose botanical prints or nature-themed artwork that picks up one or two colors from your bedding pattern. Remember that contrast can be just as effective as matching. Solid-colored bedding can be the perfect backdrop for bold, colorful artwork.

How many pieces of wall art should I have in my bedroom?

The amount of wall art suitable for your bedroom depends on your room’s size, the size of your art pieces, the available wall space, and personal preference for minimalist or maximalist design. A good starting point is to identify your main focal point (usually above the bed) and add 2-3 secondary areas for artwork.

Consider the visual weight of each piece—one large statement piece might have the same impact as a collection of smaller ones. Remember that negative space is important for allowing your artwork to breathe and be appreciated fully.

Conclusion

Choosing the perfect wall art for your bedroom is a journey that combines personal expression with practical design principles.

Remember that your bedroom should reflect your unique style while creating the peaceful atmosphere you deserve for rest and rejuvenation.

Trust your instincts when selecting pieces that speak to you, but don’t forget the fundamental rules of sizing, placement, and color coordination we’ve discussed.

Start with one statement piece that you absolutely love, then build your collection thoughtfully over time rather than rushing to fill every wall.

Whether you choose high-end art pieces or create your own DIY masterpieces, ensure each addition contributes to your bedroom’s overall story and ambiance.

Take action today by measuring your space, setting a budget, and starting your search for pieces that will transform your bedroom walls from blank canvases into personal galleries that inspire and comfort you every day.