Wall art can make or break the look and feel of a traditional living room. The right pieces can accentuate the classic style, while the wrong ones can feel out of place or overly modern. When selecting wall art for a traditional space, it’s important to carefully consider style, color, scale and placement. Approaching wall décor with intention and care will elevate the whole room.
Embrace Traditional Styles
When it comes to wall art for traditional spaces, opting for classic styles and imagery is key. Here are some of the most popular options that align seamlessly with traditional décor:
- Landscape paintings – Serene garden scenes, rolling fields, forests and placid lakeside settings are timeless choices. Oil paintings or high-quality prints offer an authentic, classical look. Go for simple wooden frames over ornate gold ones for a more casual traditional vibe.
- Botanical prints – From floral still lifes to illustrations of trees, leaves and flowers, botanical prints are a versatile, natural addition to traditional interiors. Black and white options provide an understated elegance.
- Animal artwork – From majestic horses to flocking birds to grazing deer, traditional animal artwork has an aristocratic sensibility. Black-and-white photography also bodes well in traditional living rooms.
- Maps and atlases – Showcasing cartography is a classic wall décor choice, infusing rooms with a well-traveled spirit. Opt for visually striking antique maps in simple frames over contemporary colorful options.
- Architectural drawings – Black and white architectural renderings and sketches of iconic landmarks, stately homes or quaint cottages make refined, sophisticated additions to traditional walls.
Choose a Cohesive Color Palette
Color is critical in cultivating a cohesive traditional aesthetic. When selecting wall art, opt for pieces that integrate seamlessly into the room’s existing color palette. Some hues to consider:
- Neutral tones – Black, white, beige, cream and tan wall art fit effortlessly into many traditional color schemes, from monochromatic to bold and saturated palettes. They provide a clean, classic look.
- Earthy hues – Artwork in mossy greens, warm terra cotta, soft sage and faded sky blue tones complement traditional living rooms anchored in beiges, browns and other organic colors.
- Metallic accents – While bold contemporary metallic wall art may feel out of place, small touches of gold, silver or copper frames can provide subtle ornamental flair.
- Muted pastels – Soft pinks, cornflower blues, lilacs and mint greens in artwork, paired thoughtfully, can evoke a vintage aesthetic. Avoid brights and neons.
Always assess the room’s current palette carefully. Wall art should never clash or feel like an outlier. Instead, it should harmonize with existing furnishings, textiles and surfaces.
Scale Art Appropriately
In traditional living rooms, oversized wall art can feel disruptive and overwhelm the space. Instead, opt for properly scaled pieces to cultivate balance and visual harmony. Some guidelines include:
- Small to medium pieces – For most traditional spaces, artworks in the 12″ x 16″ to 36″ x 48″ range work well. Their compact size provides an ornamental, elegant look.
- Odd numbers – Hang artworks in thoughtfully composed odd-numbered groupings – try triptychs, five pieces clustered in asymmetrical formations, or solo pieces for focal points.
- Leave breathing room – Avoid cramming in too many pieces. Allow adequate empty space between artworks so the collection feels well-curated.
- Use furniture as scale markers – Wall art should be sized in proportion to furnishings. A massive canvas overwhelming a petite sofa appears off, for example.
- Lightweight frames – Thin, minimally ornamented frames keep the focus on the art while preventing pieces from feeling overly bulky or imposing.
Being mindful of scale creates a warm, welcoming environment versus a cold, cavernous museum-like atmosphere.
Curate Strategic Placement
The placement of wall art impacts the overall ambiance just as much as the pieces themselves. Mindfully position artwork using these tips:
- Anchor above furniture – Centering pieces above sofas, sideboards, armchairs or other furnishings makes them feel like thoughtful additions.
- Create focal points – Art above the fireplace mantel or behind sitting areas draws the eye, defining these spots as compositional anchors.
- Align with architecture – Placing artwork to align with moldings, windows and door frames integrates it into the existing layout.
- Play with groupings – Thoughtfully cluster and distribute artworks across multiple walls to cultivate balance and visual energy.
- Elevate eye level – Hanging pieces a few inches above eye level enables them to be more readily viewed and appreciated.
- Provide breathing room – Leave a few inches between the art’s edges and the frame molding for a polished impression.
- Use lamps as illumination – Position lighting to illuminate artwork, creating a gallery-like look.
Taking the time to thoughtfully place artwork makes all the difference in cultivating a warm, welcoming space.
Types of Wall Art Worth Considering
Beyond the traditional genres and styles highlighted earlier, a few additional types of wall art can work seamlessly in classic decor.
Textile Art
From embroidered works to woven tapestries, textile art lends warmth, texture and a handmade artisanal feel. When curating a textile piece:
- Seek out natural fibers like wool, cotton and silk over synthetics.
- Look for muted palettes with traditional motifs and patterns.
- Iron the piece to remove any wrinkles before hanging for a crisp look.
- Hang textiles taut on stretcher bars or wooden rods to prevent sagging.
Mirrors
Mirrors magnify light and visually expand smaller traditional rooms. When selecting:
- Opt for simple rounded, rectangular, oval or octagonal shapes over ornate carved frames.
- Antiqued mirrors with a lightly distressed patina provide an Old World vibe.
- Lean into the versatility mirrors provide, hanging horizontally, vertically, or clustering in asymmetrical arrangements.
- Anchor mirrors above mantels, consoles and vanities to magnify their elegant style.
Photography
Black-and-white photography of beloved places, family or travels make meaningful additions. When displaying:
- Curate a cohesive collection with similar matting and frames.
- Play with scale, including close-up details alongside full-scene views.
- Arrange companion pieces like sequences from a shared narrative.
- Add depth by layering photographs behind other hung pieces.
Sculptural Finds
From mounted antlers to carved coral specimens, sculptural objects project rugged refinement. Tips for decorating with sculptural finds:
- Seek out organic, nature-inspired objects for an earthy, antique look.
- Mount specimens in a parallel formation for balanced display.
- Integrate metallic elements for sheen, like bronze animal busts or cast iron botanical moldings.
- Place near bookshelves to combine nature and literary collections.
This range of wall art options enables flexible, personalized expression while maintaining a traditional living room’s classic essence.
Best Practices for Hanging and Arranging
Careful installation of wall art is key to pulling together a polished, artful look. Here are some best practices for hanging:
- Use picture rail molding. This allows flexibility to rearrange pieces by simply sliding them along the rail.
- Invest in quality picture hanging hardware like d-rings, aircraft cables and cleats for secure, level display.
- Hang artwork at 57-60 inches from the floor to align with average eye level.
- Use a laser level during installation to ensure pieces are straight and properly positioned.
- Group pieces in odd numbers for pleasing asymmetrical arrangements.
- Build art groupings across multiple walls to add depth and dimension.
- Mix varied sizes, colors and frames unified by theme for an eclectic gallery wall.
- Incorporate sculptural pieces like wall-mounted taxidermy and sconces to add intrigue.
- Stand back frequently to assess visual balance and make adjustments.
- Add accent lighting with picture lights or strategically placed lamps.
Taking a methodical approach allows wall art to feel thoughtfully composed and cohesive.
Wall Art to Potentially Avoid
When curating traditional living rooms, steer clear of wall art styles that feel distinctly modern, loud or kitschy. Wall art to potentially avoid includes:
- Neon signs or pop art
- Oversized abstract paintings
- Warhol-esque graphic prints
- Niche references like lyrics or memes
- Mass-produced generic pieces like Live Laugh Love signs
Additionally, avoid displaying too many ornate pieces crowded together on a single wall. This creates a cluttered, haphazard look versus a carefully curated impression.
By skipping art that feels distinctly contemporary, ironic or minimalist, the traditional essence of a space remains uncompromised and harmonious.
Consult Interior Designers for Personalized Guidance
For homeowners overwhelmed with the prospect of styling a wall art collection, seeking guidance from interior designers can help immensely.
These professionals have the expertise to provide personalized recommendations based on the fixed elements and aims for your individual space. Their services include:
- Suggesting well-suited styles and mediums to complement your existing décor.
- Helping compose groupings and direct placement tailored to your room’s architecture and furnishings.
- Assisting with color selection of frames and mats to unify pieces.
- Overseeing proper installation for secure hanging and optimal positioning.
- Saving you time by procuring pieces expertly suited to your space from galleries, artists or their designer trade accounts.
Investing in a design consultation is well worthwhile. With their keen eye and insider knowledge, designers save you from decorating missteps and bring your vision to life.
Elevating Traditional Living Rooms with Wall Art
Wall art is a powerful way to infuse personality and visual interest into traditional living rooms. From classic landscape oil paintings to textural botanical prints, the possibilities are vast. By embracing styles aligned with the traditional aesthetic, savvily incorporating color, minding scale and placement, and using best hanging practices, wall art can feel cohesive rather than haphazard.
While the process of curating an art collection may seem daunting, the impact is profound. Wall art introduces nuanced style, cultivates ambiance, provides an anchoring focal point and showcases what you love. For traditional spaces, select pieces thoughtfully, and arrange them with care to take the room from bland to beautiful. Wall art here can truly make or break the space.
