Create a magnetic focal point in your living room with a large canvas print
A well-chosen large canvas can transform a living room from scattered to cohesive – without having to completely redecorate. The key is to create a clear, harmonious focal point that works with what you already love: the sofa, the rug, the lighting and the color tones. Having hung hundreds of canvases in everything from turn-of-the-century apartments to newly built homes, we see the same pattern: proportion, placement and lighting are what make the difference between “a nice painting” and a room that feels well thought out.
Why a focal point makes a difference
The eye needs a place to rest. A clear focal point helps the brain read the room faster, which creates calm. In a living room with a TV, shelves and many small objects, a large canvas provides visual order – it becomes the room's natural reference without everything else having to be subordinated.
Choose a work with presence
For a modern, sophisticated focal point, we recommend Eclipse Flare : an abstract, large canvas print in black and white with a subtle touch of gold. It works great in Scandinavian homes where a neutral color scheme already exists and you want to add depth and dynamism without overwhelming the color palette.
Size and proportions that work
- Over a sofa: choose a painting that is about 2/3–3/4 of the width of the sofa. A 200 cm sofa often looks best with a painting around 130–160 cm wide.
- Height from backrest: let the bottom edge be 15–25 cm above the sofa backrest. This ties the furniture and wall art together.
- Room volume: In rooms with a ceiling height of 270–300 cm, larger sizes are often needed than you might think. It is better to choose a size that is too large than too small.
- Format: landscape format on a wide wall; portrait format if you want to enhance height. A square format balances asymmetrical furnishings.
Location and height
A rule of thumb is that the center of the painting is around 145 cm from the floor, so that more people in the household experience the work at a comfortable eye level. Do you have a piece of furniture underneath? Start from the piece of furniture and work upwards. Also leave air around it – negative space is part of the composition. If the TV competes, place the painting on the opposite wall or work with slightly angled furniture where the painting has the line of sight from the entrance to the room.
The right lighting
Lighting seals the overall impression. Choose warm white light 2700–3000K and lamps with a CRI of 90+ to ensure that colors and textures are reproduced correctly. Use the 30-degree rule: direct spotlights at an angle of about 30° to the canvas to minimize glare. A discreet picture lamp works well over wide motifs; in open-plan solutions, directional ceiling spotlights on dimmers are handy. Canvas fabric has a natural matt finish that reduces reflections, making large paintings especially useful in rooms with large windows.
Color strategy and materials
We often use the 60/30/10 principle: 60% base (walls, larger furniture), 30% secondary tone (textiles, rug) and 10% accent (pillows, details – or the gold touches that Eclipse Flare adds). In a beige-grey palette, black/white adds structure and depth, while small metallic details tie together light and shadow. A canvas with a 3–4 cm wedge frame gives a sculptural presence; you can leave it unframed for a modern gallery look or add a slim black or brass-toned frame to echo the room’s metal accents.
Styling around the work
- Texture: combine with a woven wool rug, linen cushions and a shiny surface (glass, metal) for balance.
- Color echo: pick up the gold of the painting in a bookend, a candlestick or a plaid with discreet shine.
- Furnishing: keep nearby shelves airy; low sideboards let the painting dominate without feeling intrusive.
- Acoustics: large canvas prints easily dampen the room – add curtains and carpet for extra comfort.
Seasonal variations and heat
Want to enhance the cozy feeling in winter without changing the art? Add warmer lighting, soft textiles and a couple of muted accent pillows that harmonize with the color tones of the painting. You can find more ideas in our article Winter Inspiration: Paintings That Create a Warm and Inviting Atmosphere .
Common mistakes to avoid
- Too small a board: rather a size jump up than down.
- Hung too high: adjust downwards until the centre of the board is close to eye level.
- No plan for light: even a beautiful painting looks flat without directional lighting.
- Visual competition: avoid mixing a large focal point with many small objects on the same wall.
With the right proportion, placement and lighting, a large canvas painting becomes the obvious meeting point for the eye – and the most cost-effective way to a living room that feels both calm and alive. If you want to see how an abstract, graphic expression with subtle gold creates just that effect, take a closer look at Eclipse Flare .