Tips for selecting and placing canvas wall art in small spaces
A question that often pops up before people buy my canvas wall art is, 'Are these canvas prints suitable for small spaces?'.
And my answer is, 'Yes, of course!'.
It's natural to worry about using art in smaller spaces, as I know you don't want your space to end up looking too crowded.
But trust me, if you place artwork the right way, it can really transform your space and can actually make your room look bigger than it is.
Plus, when you display artwork, you're putting your personality on display.
So, please don't be put off using artwork in small spaces and decorate your home the way you want.
From bathrooms and toilets to shorter walls and little nooks, let's explore how to transform your small space using artwork.
Photo by Wesley Shen on Unsplash
Start by choosing the artwork's colour scheme to suit your small space
As you may have read in my previous blog about colour psychology, the tone you choose for your wall colour, décor and artwork is what sets the ambience of your room.
A quick side interior design tip: In smaller rooms, it's best to stick with light shades and cooler tones as they'll reflect the light and make your room feel bigger than it is.
When choosing your canvas wall art, I encourage you to work with your current colour scheme unless you're up for repainting your walls.
To make your room feel bigger and create a relaxing vibe, it's best to stick with subtle tones (seafoam blues, pale grey, white, neutral creams and pinks, etc.).
Artwork with similar tones and pops of colour will create a focal point in your space and draw people's attention to it rather than noticing the size of the room.
Hint: You don't want your small space to seem 'too busy', so avoid using too many clashing patterns and colours.
How can I use large artwork to create the illusion of space?
If you've got a spare wall in a small space (e.g. a study nook), there's a creative way of using larger pieces of canvas wall art or paintings that many people overlook.
And that's simply sitting it on the ground, angled back against the wall.
What this does is create an illusion of having a higher ceiling, which in turn makes the room look larger.
Hint: If you place your artwork at the opposite side of the entrance to the room, your eye is instantly drawn through the room to the painting, which adds the illusion of depth.
This method can also work by setting your canvas wall prints on top of low-line bookshelves or hall tables and leaning them back against the wall. Pop a tall vase with flowers next to it, and your small space will instantly feel bigger and look fantastic.
Unhung artwork is not for everyone, but it's worth considering if you want to use a larger piece of artwork in a smaller space.
Create a gallery wall to make your small space pop
Just because you have a small space doesn't mean you need to use only one piece of artwork.
What works really well is a series of small canvas prints, frames or artwork of your choice arranged into a gallery wall.
You can choose different prints and hang them in a grid or random pattern on your wall. This allows you to showcase several pieces of artwork and acts as a means to draw attention to the wall, once again making the room feel like it has more depth.
So, rather than having one larger piece, consider using a few smaller pieces to make a statement wall.
Hint: Gallery walls look amazing against staircases or stacked vertically on smaller walls next to a window.
Choose a frame that matches your décor
If your artwork has a frame, you should match it with your wall colour, so it doesn't clash. For example, if you've got white walls, a black frame will cut off your print and make your space feel even smaller.
To overcome this, opt for natural wooden frames on light-coloured walls.
In smaller spaces, choosing prints without frames works really well. They don't box the artwork in and help the artwork almost flow onto the wall.
Hint: I only use natural-coloured frames (which is super trendy right now!) but if you’d prefer no frame, check out my rolled canvas prints which are perfect for small spaces.
Maximising small spaces with art is all about strategic selection and creative arrangement. Each piece of art you choose should not only appeal to your aesthetic senses but also synergise with the space's existing decor and colour palette. The right artwork, when placed properly, can amplify the room's atmosphere and even provide an illusion of a larger area.
Position your artwork creatively around the small space
Artwork doesn't always need to be hung on a wall.
And books aren't the only thing that belongs on a bookcase!
If your wall space is limited, nothing is stopping you from placing smaller pieces of artwork on a shelf in between some stacked books and other ornaments.
This helps your bookcase to become a focal point, looks super art deco inspired and transforms dusty old bookcases into a work of art.
Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.
-Thomas Merton
Besides the apparent beauty, this arrangement also introduces a twist of functionality. If you're a fan of literature, featuring your favourite books as part of your display gives you easy access to your cherished tomes without sacrificing aesthetic vision. In small spaces, this multi-purpose use of art placement can be a game changer.
Think about colour too. Integrating your canvas prints with your book covers' hues can create a seamless and cohesive look. Add lit candles, petite antiques, or small curiosities on the shelves to intensify the overall composition. Remember, the idea is to animate your bookcase, not clutter it.
And don't forget about size and orientation! You might want to place smaller canvas prints or portrait-oriented ones for narrow shelves, while larger or landscape-oriented prints would look great on wider shelves. The goal is to create visually engaging clusters that are easy on the eyes yet enrich your small space.
Hanging canvas art isn't just for walls anymore. It's about taking a creative leap and thinking outside the box. So play around, experiment with different arrangements and most importantly, have fun with it!
Hang your canvas wall prints in unexpected areas
Photo by Marina Podrez on Unsplash
The best thing about artwork is that you're free to tap into your unique personality. There are no hard and fast rules about where you should hang a piece of art.
So, get creative!
Look for spaces such as:
- In your bathroom or powder room
- Tall walls next to a window (perfect for a vertical gallery wall)
- Under staircases
- In a laundry (why can't you look at lovely artwork while doing chores!)
- Skinny hallways (entrances, between bedrooms etc.)
- Open shelving in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchen area, etc.
Here's some inspiration using canvas wall prints in small spaces
Feeling inspired? Get your boho, nature-inspired canvas wall prints here!
If you need any help choosing a canvas wall print (or prints) to style your small space, please get in touch with me. I'd love to help you with ideas to transform your home into a haven.
Here are some of my other blogs that offer further inspiration:
- How to make a grand entrance with canvas wall art
- Colour, style and space: How to choose wall art that is right for you
- Are you making this common mistake when choosing artwork for your home?
- Discover 2024: The top interior design trends set to transform your living space
And here are some of my nature-inspired art designs that are perfect for spaces of any size.
If you've styled up a small space in your home, I'd love for you to share your pics and tag me on Instagram.
Have fun playing with artwork! Be unique, be creative and let your gorgeous personality shine.
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