Choosing a photograph for your home should be exciting.
But when you’re standing in front of a wall wondering “What would actually look good there?”, it can sometimes feel harder than it sounds.
I’ve been taking photographs for more than 25 years, and over that time I’ve photographed everything from London and St Albans to landscapes, seascapes, wildlife and architecture.
I’ve also spent many years selling my photography, both at St Albans Market and through OnlinePosters.co.uk, so I’ve seen first-hand how people choose photographs for their homes.
And there is one thing I’ve learned:
There isn’t a right or wrong photograph. The right photograph is the one you love.
But there are a few things I always think about when choosing an image for a room.
Look at the room first
Before you start looking through hundreds of photographs, look at the room you’re buying for.
What colours are already there?
What sort of furniture do you have?
Is the room modern, traditional, minimalist or full of character?
You don’t need the photograph to perfectly match the room. In fact, I often think photographs look better when there is a little contrast.
But if you have blues and greys around the room, for example, a photograph featuring those colours can help everything work together naturally.
What do you want the photograph to make you feel?
This is something I think is really important.
A photograph isn’t just decoration. You’re going to look at it every day.
For a bedroom, perhaps you want something calm and peaceful – a quiet seascape, a landscape or a beautiful sunrise.
For a living room, you might want something with more energy and impact. Perhaps a London skyline, an architectural photograph or a dramatic black and white image.
And for an office, why not choose somewhere that inspires you?
Maybe it’s a photograph of London, somewhere you’ve travelled to, or simply an image that makes you stop and look.
Don’t be afraid to go bigger
One of the things I see quite often is people choosing artwork that’s too small for their wall.
A photograph can look great on your phone or computer screen, but a large empty wall needs something with enough presence to fill the space.
If you’re putting a photograph above a sofa, bed or sideboard, take some measurements first.
Then, if you’re unsure, make a paper template using the size you’re considering and stick it to the wall.
It’s a really simple trick, but it can give you a much better idea of how the finished photograph will look.
And don’t forget that sometimes one large photograph can make much more of an impact than several small ones.
Colour or black and white?
This is completely down to personal taste.
I love both.
Colour photographs can bring warmth and personality into a room. They can pick up colours from your furniture and accessories and really brighten a space.
Black and white is different.
It can be timeless, dramatic and incredibly simple. A strong black and white photograph can work particularly well when you don’t want to introduce another colour into the room.
Sometimes taking colour away actually makes you notice the photograph more.
Think about the shape of the wall
Have you got a wide wall above a sofa?
A landscape photograph could work beautifully.
A tall, narrow wall might suit a portrait photograph.
Or perhaps you have several smaller spaces where you could create a collection of photographs.
Don’t feel that every wall needs to be filled.
Sometimes one carefully chosen photograph in the right place is all you need.
Choose somewhere that means something to you
This is probably my favourite piece of advice.
When you’re buying a photograph for your home, don’t just ask:
“Does it match my room?”
Ask:
“Do I love it?”
Perhaps you love London because you work there.
Perhaps St Albans is home.
Maybe you have a favourite beach, a place you visited on holiday or a particular landscape that reminds you of somewhere special.
Those are the photographs that I think make the best wall art.
Because you’re not just buying something to fill an empty wall.
You’re buying something that tells a story.
And finally, think about the frame
As someone who also works as a picture framer, I know how much difference the frame can make.
The same photograph can look completely different depending on how you choose to present it.
A simple black frame can give a photograph a clean, contemporary feel.
A natural wood frame can make it feel warmer.
And sometimes a mount can give the photograph a little more breathing space and help it stand out from the wall.
The photograph, frame and room should all work together.
From my lens to your walls
When I started photographing seriously more than 25 years ago, I never imagined that my photographs would end up hanging on walls in people’s homes around the world.
What started as a passion has become my business.
I still love going out with my camera, looking for that interesting view, the right light or the moment that makes me stop and think:
“That’s a photograph.”
And now, through OnlinePosters.co.uk, I get to share those photographs with you.
Whether you’re looking for something for your living room, bedroom, office or hallway, I hope you’ll find an image that makes you want to stop and look at it.
Because ultimately, that’s what I think a good photograph should do.
It should make you feel something.
From my lens to your walls.
Browse my collection of photography at OnlinePosters.co.uk and find the photograph that’s right for your home.