The single-artwork wall for £100
A single large artwork on the wall, how to choose and where to find it
A single large artwork is often better than a gallery wall. Here is how to choose it and where to find it for under £100.
A gallery wall takes work (see rule 07.5 and tip 06). A single large artwork is often more powerful. Here is how to choose it and where to find it for under £100.
Source 1, the exhibition poster (free to £30)
Museums sell their large past-exhibition posters in A1 format (60×90 cm) or larger. Centre Pompidou, Louvre, Orsay, MOMA, Tate. Cost £15-30 in the museum shop.
Tip. The posters are often in limited series. Look in physical museum shops rather than online.
Source 2, the large-format photograph (£50-80)
A personal or bought photograph, printed in large format (60×80 cm minimum). Immediate effect in a room.
Printing sources. Cheerz, Photobox, Polaroid Originals. Budget £30-60 for a quality print.
Photo sources. Your own photos. Free image libraries like Unsplash (downloadable for free, free for personal use).
Source 3, the original work from an emerging artist (£50-150)
Buy directly from emerging artists on Etsy, Instagram, or specialist sites like Etsy Amazon or Singulart.
Effect. You have a unique signed work, not an industrial reproduction.
The right format
For a wall behind the sofa. Artwork of 80 cm × 120 cm minimum. Centre at 1.57 m from the floor (see rule 07.3).
For a free wall. Artwork of 60 cm × 90 cm minimum.
Too small fails. A 30×40 cm artwork above a 2.40 m sofa looks puny. The rule, the artwork must be at least two thirds of the sofa's width (so 1.60 m for a 2.40 m sofa).
The frame, half the result
The artwork deserves a frame. Three options.
Thin matt black frame. Contemporary effect. £30-50 in A1 format at Castorama Castorama, IKEA IKEA or Maisons du Monde Maisons du Monde.
Thin raw wood frame. Warmer effect. £40-60.
Brushed brass metal frame. Smarter effect. £60-100.
No frame. Poster stuck to the wall or as a decal. "Artist's loft" effect, very contemporary. To avoid in a high-end living room.
The hanging
See rules 07.3 and 07.5.
Centre of the artwork at 1.57 m from the floor. If above a sofa, bottom of the artwork at 15-25 cm above the back.
The bonus, lighting
A wall sconce or a directional spotlight aimed at the artwork (see rule 02.11 on diagonal light) turns the artwork into a staged architectural element.
Where to look. IKEA Tisken sconce IKEA at £35, or smarter at Hay Hay at £100-200.
## Key takeaways
A single large artwork is often better than a gallery wall. Three sources (museum, printed personal photo, emerging artist), minimum format (60×90 cm), considered frame, dedicated lighting if possible. The rule, the artwork must be two thirds of the width of the piece of furniture below.