Where to Place Landscape Art in Your Home: An Interior Designer's Guide

cautrey22
Jan 14
6 min read

Introduction

As an interior designer with over 20 years of experience, I've seen how the right landscape art can completely transform a space by opening up a room, creating calm, or adding depth and dimension.

Landscape art has a unique power: it brings the outdoors in, expands visual space, and creates atmosphere. But placement is crucial. A sweeping mountain vista needs different consideration than an intimate forest scene, and where you hang your landscape art dramatically affects how it influences the room.

First, ask yourself these questions:

1. How does the space function? (Active family room vs. peaceful bedroom)

2. What scale can the walls handle? (Measure your wall space before committing)

3. What emotional response do you want? (Energizing, calming, inspiring, grounding)

Does it reflect the area and setting around you?

Why these pointers are a great guide: They help you choose the right composition for your space, select colors that enhance your room's mood, and make strategic placement decisions based on how the room is used. Here I'll share my professional guidelines for displaying landscape art throughout your home, along with specific recommendations for different types of landscape artwork.

Understanding Scale & Composition

Before we talk about specific rooms, let's discuss how landscape compositions work differently than other art types.

Key Principle: Landscapes expand space and bring the outdoors inside. Horizontal compositions make rooms feel wider. Vertical compositions draw the eye up and make ceilings feel higher.

Ask yourself about the composition:

- A panoramic mountain range? Perfect for long, horizontal walls (above sofas, dining sideboards)

- A tall forest or waterfall scene? Ideal for narrow walls and hallways

- A square meadow or lake view? Versatile for various spaces and particularly suited for over a fireplace.

The orientation of your landscape matters as much as the subject!

Room-by-Room Placement Guide

Living Rooms & Great Rooms

Best for: Large-scale panoramic landscapes, dramatic mountain scenes, expansive horizons Living rooms are ideal for statement landscape pieces because: - They benefit from the space-expanding quality of landscape art - Large walls can showcase sweeping compositions - Landscapes create conversation without being too personal Pro Tip: Hang landscape art at eye level when standing (57-60" to center). For art above a sofa, the sweet spot is 6-8" above the furniture. Panoramic landscapes work especially well in this position—they visually extend the room.

Bedrooms

Best for: Peaceful landscape scenes, soft horizons, gentle water views, misty mountains Bedrooms call for landscapes that promote rest and tranquility: - Choose scenes with gentle movement (calm water, soft clouds) - Avoid dramatic storm scenes or stark compositions - Muted tones and soft focus work beautifully - Water scenes (lakes, rivers, gentle ocean) are particularly calming Pro Tip: Consider what you want to see first thing in the morning. A sunrise landscape can be energizing, while a peaceful meadow or misty forest creates serenity. The view from your bed matters!

Children's Rooms & Nurseries

Best for: Bright, colorful landscapes, seasonal scenes, recognizable natural elements

Children respond wonderfully to landscape art that tells a story:

- Seasonal landscapes (fall colors, winter snow) teach about nature's cycles

- Scenes with recognizable elements (mountains, rivers, trees)

- Bright, cheerful colors over somber tones

- Images that spark imagination and curiosity

- Pieces that "grow" with them and are not too juvenile

Things to consider: - Durable framing with acrylic or canvas instead of glass

Pro Tip: Landscape art in children's rooms doesn't need to be perfectly curated. The key is finding something they connect with, like a gentle stream under fluffy clouds or a waterfall cascading down a gentle slope. Let them connect with nature through the imagery!

Home Offices

Best for: Inspiring vistas, mountain views, expansive horizons, sunrise/sunset scenes Your office landscape art should motivate without distracting: - Mountain ranges suggest achievement and perspective - Open horizons inspire possibility - Forest scenes provide grounding and focus - Avoid overly busy or chaotic compositions that compete for attention Pro Tip: Place landscape art where you can see it during breaks or when thinking—not directly in your primary line of sight when working. Also consider what appears behind you on video calls; a beautiful landscape says "grounded professional."

Bathrooms & Powder Rooms

Best for: Water-themed landscapes, coastal scenes, serene lake views, intimate nature studies Bathrooms naturally pair with water-themed landscapes: - Ocean, lake, river, or waterfall scenes - Misty morning landscapes - Rain or fog scenes Things to Consider: - Humidity-resistant framing - Smaller, more intimate landscape compositions work better than grand vistas - Calming colors (blues, greens, soft neutrals) Pro Tip: Powder rooms are where guests pause alone—a captivating landscape gives them a peaceful moment. Coastal scenes work especially well here!

Dining Rooms

Best for: Elegant pastoral scenes, vineyard landscapes, garden views, sophisticated seasonal imagery Dining rooms call for refined landscape art: - Pastoral scenes (farmland, rolling hills, gardens) - Vineyard or agricultural landscapes complement dining - Nothing too stark or dramatic—you want guests comfortable - Seasonal landscapes (autumn fields, spring blooms) add warmth Pro Tip: Dining room landscape art should support the dining experience. Warmer tones (golds, greens, warm blues) create inviting energy. Avoid cold, stark winter scenes unless your aesthetic is very modern and minimal. For a calming environment, choose scenes with gentle depth and soft transitions so focus stays on food, conversation, and connection.

Entryways & Foyers

Best for: Bold landscape statements, dramatic seasonal scenes, recognizable local landmarks

Your entryway sets the tone for your entire home:

- Large-scale landscape makes an immediate impression

- Local or meaningful landscapes create personal connection

- Dramatic compositions (storm clouds, mountain peaks) work as a transitional piece, allowing for interpretation.

Pro Tip: I love making a big statement in an entryway if the space will allow. Entryway art can be bolder than other spaces because people only pause briefly. A dramatic Montana landscape or sweeping coastal scene are perfect pieces for making a memorable first impression.

Style Considerations

Painterly vs. Photographic: Painterly landscapes (like my watercolor and oil-style pieces) offer versatility—they work in both traditional and contemporary spaces. Photorealistic landscapes require settings that can handle their intensity. Color vs. Black & White: - Color landscapes: Choose based on your existing palette. Blues and greens are universally calming; warm golds and oranges energize - Black & white: Incredibly versatile, adds sophistication, works in minimalist and modern settings Seasonal Landscapes: - Spring/Summer: Energizing, fresh, work in active spaces - Autumn: Warm, nostalgic, perfect for gathering spaces - Winter: Calming, contemplative, beautiful in bedrooms and quiet spaces Time of Day: - Sunrise/morning: Energizing, hopeful—great for offices and breakfast nooks - Midday: Bright, clear—versatile for most spaces - Sunset/evening: Romantic, peaceful—ideal for bedrooms and dining rooms

Final Moves to Avoid: Mistakes Often Made

- Hanging too high: Follow the 57-60" to center guideline. Landscape art hung too high loses its grounding effect. - Wrong orientation for the space: Don't force a vertical landscape onto a horizontal wall or vice versa. Work with the wall's natural proportions. - Ignoring color temperature: Cool landscapes (blues, grays) in already cold rooms can feel unwelcoming. Warm landscapes (golds, greens) in hot, sunny rooms can feel overwhelming. - Forgetting about natural light: Consider how natural light in the room relates to the light in your landscape. A sunset scene in a room with morning light might feel off. - Competing with the view: If you have large windows with beautiful natural views, your landscape art should complement, not compete. Place art on walls without views. - Too many landscapes: One beautiful landscape makes a statement. Five in one room creates visual chaos. Choose quality over quantity.

Conclusion:

Landscape art has the unique ability to transport us, expand our spaces, and connect us to the natural world—when placed thoughtfully. Whether you're drawn to dramatic mountain ranges, peaceful water scenes, or intimate forest studies, there's a perfect spot in your home for landscapes you love.

Ready to find your perfect landscape art piece?

- Browse my Landscape Art Collection

- Explore all collections

- Contact me for a personalized consultation for style, color, or size

Remember: Finding the right landscape for your space is about creating spaces that are unique to your individual taste and space. These guidelines are starting points, but your home, your style, and your connection to the art matter most.

Museum Quality Art Prints | Avalon Way Studios

Introduction

As an interior designer with over 20 years of experience, I've seen how the right landscape art can completely transform a space by opening up a room, creating calm, or adding depth and dimension.

First, ask yourself these questions:

1. How does the space function? (Active family room vs. peaceful bedroom)

2. What scale can the walls handle? (Measure your wall space before committing)

3. What emotional response do you want? (Energizing, calming, inspiring, grounding)

Understanding Scale & Composition

Before we talk about specific rooms, let's discuss how landscape compositions work differently than other art types.

Key Principle: Landscapes expand space and bring the outdoors inside. Horizontal compositions make rooms feel wider. Vertical compositions draw the eye up and make ceilings feel higher.

Ask yourself about the composition:

- A panoramic mountain range? Perfect for long, horizontal walls (above sofas, dining sideboards)

- A tall forest or waterfall scene? Ideal for narrow walls and hallways

- A square meadow or lake view? Versatile for various spaces and particularly suited for over a fireplace.

The orientation of your landscape matters as much as the subject!

Room-by-Room Placement Guide

Living Rooms & Great Rooms

Bedrooms

Children's Rooms & Nurseries

Best for: Bright, colorful landscapes, seasonal scenes, recognizable natural elements

Children respond wonderfully to landscape art that tells a story:

- Seasonal landscapes (fall colors, winter snow) teach about nature's cycles

- Scenes with recognizable elements (mountains, rivers, trees)

- Bright, cheerful colors over somber tones

- Images that spark imagination and curiosity

- Pieces that "grow" with them and are not too juvenile

Things to consider: - Durable framing with acrylic or canvas instead of glass

Pro Tip: Landscape art in children's rooms doesn't need to be perfectly curated. The key is finding something they connect with, like a gentle stream under fluffy clouds or a waterfall cascading down a gentle slope. Let them connect with nature through the imagery!

Home Offices

Bathrooms & Powder Rooms

Dining Rooms

Entryways & Foyers

Best for: Bold landscape statements, dramatic seasonal scenes, recognizable local landmarks

Your entryway sets the tone for your entire home:

- Large-scale landscape makes an immediate impression

- Local or meaningful landscapes create personal connection

- Dramatic compositions (storm clouds, mountain peaks) work as a transitional piece, allowing for interpretation.

Pro Tip: I love making a big statement in an entryway if the space will allow. Entryway art can be bolder than other spaces because people only pause briefly. A dramatic Montana landscape or sweeping coastal scene are perfect pieces for making a memorable first impression.

Style Considerations

Final Moves to Avoid: Mistakes Often Made

Conclusion:

Landscape art has the unique ability to transport us, expand our spaces, and connect us to the natural world—when placed thoughtfully. Whether you're drawn to dramatic mountain ranges, peaceful water scenes, or intimate forest studies, there's a perfect spot in your home for landscapes you love.

Ready to find your perfect landscape art piece?

- Browse my Landscape Art Collection

- Explore all collections

- Contact me for a personalized consultation for style, color, or size

Remember: Finding the right landscape for your space is about creating spaces that are unique to your individual taste and space. These guidelines are starting points, but your home, your style, and your connection to the art matter most.

Museum Quality Art Prints | Avalon Way Studios

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