Guide to Choosing Art Prints for Your Home
The print that stays with you is rarely the one that shouts the loudest. It is the one you notice on a quiet morning, perhaps while the kettle boils, and find something new in its detail. This guide to choosing art prints is here to help you find artwork with that kind of lasting presence - a piece that feels considered in your home rather than simply filling a space.
Begin with the feeling you want to bring home
Before measuring a wall or matching a cushion, think about how you would like a room to feel. Art has a gentle way of setting the mood. A carefully observed wren, hare or coastal bird can bring a sense of stillness to a busy kitchen, while a more vivid botanical or wildlife scene may add warmth and character to an otherwise neutral room.
This is particularly helpful if you are choosing a print for a space that already serves many purposes. A dining table may double as a desk; a hallway may be the first place you land after a long day. In these lived-in corners, art does not need to be grand to matter. A small, softly detailed print can make a room feel more personal and more settled.
Try to choose for the feeling first, then the colour. A print need not match every shade in a room exactly. Often, it is more interesting when it picks up one quieter tone from the space: the mossy green of a houseplant, a warm clay vase, the blue-grey of painted cabinetry or the soft cream of linen curtains.
Choose art prints with a story you genuinely enjoy
The most satisfying wall art tends to be connected to something real. It might remind you of birds seen at the garden feeder, walks on the coast, childhood holidays in the countryside or a much-loved pet. That connection gives a print depth long after the initial excitement of decorating has passed.
Wildlife art is especially lovely for this. It brings the natural world indoors without asking a room to become overly themed. A curious robin can sit beautifully in a traditional cottage kitchen, a modern new-build or a calm bedroom with pale walls. The subject may be familiar, but the artist's observation is what makes it feel individual: the tilt of a head, the softness of feathers, the alertness in an eye.
At Art by Jay, every wildlife design begins as a hand-drawn coloured pencil artwork. That slow, careful process matters when you are choosing a print, because a piece created from original observation often carries more texture, character and quiet warmth than generic décor imagery.
If you are buying a gift, this sense of story becomes even more valuable. Think about the recipient's favourite bird, the animal they always point out on a walk, or a creature that recalls a shared place. A thoughtfully chosen print can feel personal without being difficult to live with.
Get the size right for the wall, not just the room
A common worry is choosing a print that is too large. More often, the disappointment comes from going too small. A tiny print placed alone above a wide sofa, sideboard or bed can look hesitant, however beautiful the artwork may be.
Start by looking at the visual width of the area the artwork will sit above. For a single statement piece, a good rule of thumb is to aim for a framed print that spans around half to two-thirds of the furniture beneath it. This is guidance, not a fixed rule. A delicate print can look wonderful on a narrow strip of wall, beside a reading chair or above a small chest of drawers, where its modest scale feels intentional.
For larger walls, you have choices. One generously sized print creates a calm focal point and allows the details of the illustration to breathe. A pair of related prints offers balance, particularly above bedside tables or in a hallway. A small group can feel collected over time, but it works best when there is something connecting the pieces: a shared subject, similar palette, matching frames or a consistent spacing between them.
Leave room for the frame and mount
When comparing sizes, remember that the printed image is not the whole visual picture. A mount gives artwork space, draws the eye towards the illustration and can make a smaller print feel more substantial. The frame adds further presence.
If you love a detailed drawing but worry that it will appear lost, a generous mount may be a better answer than choosing a larger, bolder image. Equally, a full-bleed print with little surrounding white space can feel contemporary and immediate. It depends on the artwork, the room and how much visual quiet you prefer.
Look closely at colour, light and existing textures
Screen colours are useful, but they cannot fully show how a print will live in your home. Natural light changes across the day, and the same image can appear cooler in a north-facing room or warmer beside afternoon sun. If possible, look at the wall at different times before making a final decision.
Rather than searching for a perfect colour match, consider the balance of warm and cool tones. Earthy browns, soft greens and muted creams tend to sit easily alongside wood, woven baskets and natural fabrics. Blue-grey artwork can bring a restful note to bedrooms and bathrooms. Brighter plumage or florals may be exactly what a darker hallway needs, especially when the rest of the space is understated.
Texture matters too. Fine pencil work has a softness that pairs naturally with timber, ceramic, wool and linen. In a room full of hard surfaces, a detailed wildlife print can stop the space feeling cold or overly polished. In a more traditional home, it can bring nature in without competing with older furniture or patterned textiles.
Decide whether framing is part of the choice
A frame can change the character of an art print more than many people expect. Pale oak feels warm, relaxed and quietly contemporary. Black can give a small illustration definition and works especially well in rooms with darker metal details. White frames are light and fresh, though they may disappear on very pale walls unless the artwork has enough contrast.
There is no need for every frame in a home to match exactly. In fact, a little variation often makes a collection feel gathered rather than bought all at once. What helps is a shared thread: similar wood tones, a repeated black accent, or the same style of mount.
If you are giving a print as a present, an unframed option can be practical because it lets the recipient choose a frame that suits their home. A framed piece, however, has the advantage of feeling ready to enjoy from the moment it is opened. Consider what would make the gift easiest and most meaningful for that particular person.
Check print quality and the care behind it
A beautiful image deserves careful reproduction. When choosing art prints online, read the product description for information about the paper, printing method and whether the design is reproduced from an original artwork. Fine art papers often have a pleasing weight and a subtle texture that supports detailed illustration, while a well-made print should retain clear lines and gentle tonal changes rather than looking flat or overly glossy.
It is also worth checking the practical details: whether the print arrives protected, whether it is supplied framed or unframed, and what dimensions are listed. These details may sound ordinary, but they make the difference between a lovely purchase and an avoidable framing surprise.
For rooms with moisture or changing temperatures, such as kitchens and bathrooms, keep artwork away from direct splashes, steam and intense sunlight where possible. Framing behind glass or acrylic offers additional protection. In a sunny room, rotating a treasured print occasionally can also help you enjoy it for years to come.
Give yourself permission to choose slowly
You do not need to create a perfectly finished home in one weekend. Some of the most welcoming rooms are built gradually, with pieces chosen because they mean something rather than because they fit a passing trend. A print can be the beginning of that process: a small sign of your love for wildlife, colour, place or peaceful everyday rituals.
If you are drawn back to the same artwork more than once, pay attention. The right print often feels less like a decorating decision and more like a quiet companion waiting to find its place on your wall.