Getting the scale right is one of the simplest ways to make your artwork look professionally styled, yet it’s the thing most people get wrong. The good news? Coastal interiors thrive on clean lines, generous proportions and a sense of airy calm—qualities that are incredibly easy to achieve with a few reliable measurements. Think of these not as rules but as friendly guardrails to help your walls feel balanced, intentional and beautifully finished.
At the foundation is a single piece of maths that almost never misses: when hanging art above furniture, aim for a width that’s roughly 60–75% of the piece beneath it. Whether you’re styling above a sofa, console, or bedhead, this range creates harmony. Anything significantly smaller risks floating awkwardly, while anything bigger feels like it’s overshadowing the furniture rather than completing it. For coastal rooms—where airiness is everything—this proportion keeps the look fresh and confident.
Height matters too. Most homes look their best when the centre of the artwork sits 145–150 cm from the floor, a standard borrowed from galleries and museums because it works with natural eye level. This sweet spot ensures the art reads instantly without you needing to tilt your head. It’s especially important in open-plan coastal spaces where long sight-lines mean artwork is often viewed from a distance. Hanging at this height grounds the room and makes even large pieces feel approachable and calm.
Spacing is where so many walls fall apart, often literally. A gallery wall needs breathing room to feel curated rather than cluttered, so leave 5–8 cm between each frame. This consistent spacing helps the wall read as one large, considered composition. Multi-panel artworks—triptychs, quads, diptychs—need tighter spacing, around 2–3 cm between each panel, so the entire image still reads as a single continuous piece. This minimal gap stops the artwork looking disconnected while allowing just enough division to emphasise its structure.
For panoramas, scale generously. Above a standard 3-seater sofa (usually in the 200–220 cm width range), a 120–160 cm panoramic artwork feels intentional, architectural and beautifully proportioned. Wide pieces echo coastal horizons, which naturally calm the eye and work wonders in both airy Queensland homes and modern WA interiors. On narrow or awkward walls, choose verticals. Tall, slender pieces in the 50–70 cm height range help the room feel taller and more elegant. For even more visual impact, stack two in a column with 5–8 cm between them. This trick is particularly effective in hallways, beside doorways or in bathrooms where horizontal space is limited but height is abundant.
And if you find yourself stuck between two sizes—always choose the larger. Small art on a big wall looks apologetic, no matter how beautiful the print. Coastal colours especially need space to breathe; they feel softer, more luxurious and more immersive when displayed at scale. Larger artworks reduce visual noise and contribute to the overall serenity that defines modern Australian coastal style.
One of the simplest layout tricks is to mock-up your artwork footprint with painter’s tape or Blu-Tack paper templates. Tape out the exact size on the wall, then look at it from key sight-lines:
• the doorway
• the sofa
• standing near the kitchen
• or wherever you typically enter the room
If the shape doesn’t read clearly within three seconds, it’s either too small or hung too high. This “three-second clarity test” mimics how designers evaluate a space instinctively.
Finish is the other major factor people overlook. Even the most beautiful artwork can look cheap under glare. If you can see your own reflection at midday, the finish is wrong for the room. In bright, sunlit spaces—common in Australian homes—switch to matte canvas or low-reflection glazing. Both options keep colours rich and true, especially in blue- and neutral-heavy coastal palettes. For shadier walls or rooms without direct sunlight, framed paper prints can look beautifully crisp and sophisticated.
And don’t underestimate the importance of quality installation. Use two hooks per piece to keep artwork level and stable, particularly in homes near the coast where humidity can warp timber frames over time. Stainless or galvanised fixings resist rust—essential in salty air environments. Add felt bumpers to the bottom corners to lift the artwork slightly from the wall, improving airflow and ensuring perfectly straight alignment. Little details prevent future headaches.
Once your hero artwork is in place, add supporting pieces that share either colour or texture—not both. Choosing only one similarity avoids visual chaos. For example, pair a soft ocean abstract with a textured neutral piece; or combine a deep navy photographic wave with a crisp white minimalist line drawing. Matching everything makes the display feel flat; matching nothing feels unsettled. Aim for harmony, not duplication.
Additional Useful Resources & Tips for Styling Coastal Art
To help your audience even further, here are extra insights that blend beautifully into the expanded article:
1. Use the “Two-Surface Rule” for balance
If you have artwork on one wall and windows on another, the remaining walls should carry lighter décor or smaller pieces. This prevents the room from feeling overly busy.
2. Consider the architecture of the room
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High ceilings = go tall or go wide
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Low ceilings = choose horizontals to widen the room visually
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Long narrow rooms = panoramas or triptychs create calm continuity
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Wide open rooms = large single statement pieces anchor the space
3. Think about textural pairing
Coastal artwork pairs beautifully with:
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rattan
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linen
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jute rugs
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pale oak
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whitewashed timber
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woven baskets
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driftwood accents
Mixing smooth (artwork) with tactile (natural materials) adds warmth without clutter.
4. Let natural light guide your frame choice
Bright rooms → low-reflection glazing or canvas
Soft rooms → classic framed paper
Dark rooms → lighter frames to lift the palette
Rooms with lots of windows → avoid glass altogether
5. Use art to solve room problems
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Too white? Add deeper blues and greys.
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Too dark? Add sky blues and cloud-toned abstracts.
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Narrow hallway? Go vertical.
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Long living room? Use a triptych to stretch the space visually.
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Large empty wall? Oversize your artwork—go floor-to-eye-level.
6. Consider mood when choosing artwork
Your artwork can:
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energise (bold waves, deep blues)
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calm (soft pastels, misty horizons)
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lighten (white sands, pale skies)
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ground (navy, charcoal, storm blue)
Choose what the room needs, not just what you like.
7. Frame tone changes everything
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White frames = crisp, fresh, coastal
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Oak frames = warm, natural, soft
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Black frames = modern, architectural, more dramatic
Salt & Sol looks exceptional in white or oak.
8. If using multiple artworks, aim for a shared “colour rhythm”
Designers often work with this pattern:
soft → bold → soft
or
light → mid → light
This keeps the eye moving in a pleasant, balanced way.
9. Don’t forget negative space
Blank wall is valuable—don’t fill every inch. Coastal design needs breathing room.
10. The “Doorway Test”
Always look at your art from the doorway first. This is how the brain experiences a room in real life. If the artwork doesn’t feel balanced from the entrance, it won’t feel right anywhere else.