In a small flat it is tempting to put up lots of small pictures to make it cosy. It usually does the opposite: the walls get busy and the room feels smaller. One bigger print does more.
One big print beats five small ones
One 50×70 on the longest wall looks deliberate. Lots of small frames look like clutter in a small space. If you want several, choose prints in a series and keep them in a straight line.
Use the height
Portrait prints draw the eye upwards and make the ceiling feel higher. Hallways and the narrow walls between windows are perfect for a 30×40 or a 50×70 in portrait.
Calm colours on the big walls
Save the loudest motifs for a small spot, like above a desk. On the walls you see from the bed and the sofa, I go for softer colours and plenty of empty space in the picture.
Lean instead of hang
A print leaning on a shelf or a windowsill is easy to swap and needs no holes. Good if you rent, and it makes the shelf look styled without any effort.
My checklist for small spaces
- One main print per room, not more
- Portrait in hallways and between windows
- The same frame colour throughout the flat
- One wall with nothing on it at all
Start with our bestsellers if you are unsure, and read how to choose the size before you order.
See also
Bestsellers