7 Tips for Maximising Space and Showcasing Art Prints in Small Rooms

Despite having accumulated sizable wealth in his lifetime, Leonardo Da Vinci famously preferred smaller homes and even smaller studios, arguably making him an early proponent of tiny living. As he succinctly put it, “Small rooms or dwellings discipline the mind, large ones weaken it.” It’s good then, that art lovers with small homes can rest easy, knowing that a true master already embraced the virtues of modest living spaces centuries ago. 

 

Of course, we aren’t all like Leonardo. For most of us, it helps to have some tried-and-true pointers to make the most of a smaller display area. With a limited amount of space to play with, it does indeed, help to cultivate a disciplined mind as well as a pragmatic approach to your display. Try these tips before your next major art purchases to maximise your display area and show your collection in a positive light:

 

1) Bring the Outdoors Inside

 

 

The boxier nature of manmade spaces is often much more evident in smaller rooms. Incorporating illustration art prints with botanical themes or other nature-inspired works can offset this closed-in vibe of smaller space without using up the floor or table space the way indoor plants would. To increase the illusion of being outdoors, try to increase the amount of natural light that comes into your space by choosing thinner curtains or leaving them out altogether. You can further deepen the outdoorsy effect by incorporating a few hanging plants in the corners to downplay the rigidity of your space.

 

2) Make Your Space Seem Taller with Vertical Artwork

 

 

Portrait-oriented art prints tend to draw the eye up, creating the illusion of higher, airier ceilings that somewhat offset the claustrophobic feel of smaller rooms. The illusion is heightened further if the artwork has strong vertical elements as well as lighter colours. This isn’t to say that you can’t throw in a few landscape-oriented works of art into your display, but it helps if your collection leans towards vertical pieces. You can find art prints both in landscape and portrait orientation here on DROOL.

 

3) Curate Smaller Works of Art

 

 

A “right-sized” collection of several small works is a great choice for a gallery display in a smaller room. Smaller pieces can be just as satisfying to collect as larger ones, and they can make a serious impact if they’re arranged thoughtfully. The key to pulling off a collection of smaller works of art is to pick pieces that complement each other in size and theme, so be sure to choose wisely.

 

4) Display Larger Works Strategically

 

 

The obvious downside of larger pieces is that they leave less room for any other artwork that you would like to display. Larger pieces that make it your wall display will also become focal points on their respective walls, so it’s important to only display larger works that you like. 

 

However, the big upside to large pieces can also make your room appear much more expansive than it really is, especially if the works include a strong sense of depth. With the right pieces, you can create anchor points that guide a viewer's attention and establish a sense of balance within the room.

 

5) Paint Your Walls with Lighter Colours

 

 

There’s a reason why most art gallery walls are painted white. Lighter colours reflect more light, making rooms appear somewhat larger than they would with darker colours. 

 

While white is a classic choice, you don’t have to use white for your own walls. Pastels and neutrals can work almost as well for making your room appear more spacious, all while allowing you to inject a bit of your personality into the space.

 

Likewise, in this case, art prints can be powerful tools in enhancing the perceived size of a room, especially when paired with frame colours that complement the chosen light wall colour. By strategically coordinating the frame colours with the wall hues, you can optimize the visual impact and functionality of your space.

 

For instance, if your small room features light-coloured walls to maximize brightness and openness, selecting art prints with frames in similar or complementary tones can help maintain a cohesive and airy ambiance. Light oak, white, or silver frames seamlessly blend with this type of wall colour, creating a harmonious visual flow that minimizes clutter and promotes a sense of continuity.

 

6) Make Your Walls Come Alive with Textures

 

 

Adding some texturing to your walls can make the light in your space bounce around in a more interesting way, increasing the vitality of your display. Rough, raised, or patterned plaster or paint finishes can increase the apparent depth of the room, creating a more engaging backdrop for your display.

 

Fortunately, you don’t have to refinish your walls to add texture. You can also display textured works of art such as paintings with strong impasto, textured tapestries, or three-dimensional objects such as masks. You can even display art prints with geometric patterns that only give off the illusion of texture and depth even though they are actually flat in reality. Finally, if you can spare the floor space, a few potted plants and strategically placed sculptures can also provide much-needed depth and texture.

 

7) Use Mirrors to Create the Illusion of Depth

 

 

Much like art prints, mirrors have the ability to transform the perception of space by reflecting light and creating the illusion of depth. By incorporating a floor-to-ceiling mirror onto one of your walls, you can instantly amplify the sense of vertical space, making the room feel larger and more expansive.

 

If you can’t add a floor-to-ceiling mirror onto one of your walls, you can opt for a collection of smaller wall mirrors or mirrored furniture like vanity tables. If you want brightness as well as depth, be sure to position your mirror opposite of the room’s windows.

 

Moreover, the combination of art prints and strategically positioned mirrors can create a dynamic visual interplay that can add interest and dimension to your space. Placing a carefully curated collection of art prints alongside a wall mirror—or a few of them—can create a captivating focal point that draws the eyes.

 

Artful Living in Small Spaces

 

Art is for everyone—even art lovers with tiny homes. Whether you desire a small collection or one that puts small galleries to shame, these classic tips should let you pack more art into your small display area without overwhelming it.