How to Pick a Landscape Print When You Don't Know Where to Start

You want a landscape print. You know that much. But where do you even begin? There are thousands of options, and you're not sure what you're looking for. Here's a simple, step-by-step process that takes you from "I have no idea" to "This is perfect."

Start Here: The One Question That Unlocks Everything

"Where Is This Going?"

This is your starting point. Everything else flows from this.

Ask yourself:

• Which room? (Living room, bedroom, office, etc.)
• Which wall? (Above sofa, bed, desk, etc.)
• What's the room like? (Modern, traditional, colors, style)

Why this works: Once you know the space, size and style become clear. You eliminate 90% of options immediately.

Step 1: Measure Your Space (2 Minutes)

What You Need

For art above furniture:

• Width of furniture (sofa, bed, console, etc.)
• Height available on wall
• Distance from viewing position

For standalone walls:

• Width of wall space
• Height available
• Room dimensions

The Simple Math

Art above furniture: Should be 60-75% of furniture width

Examples:

• 84-inch sofa → 50-63 inch art
• 60-inch bed → 36-45 inch art
• 48-inch console → 30-36 inch art

Standalone wall: Art should be 50-80% of wall width, with 12+ inches on each side.

Write it down: "I need art that is X inches wide and Y inches tall."

Step 2: Look at Your Room (1 Minute)

Quick Assessment

Notice:

• What colors are in the room? (Walls, furniture, accents)
• What's the style? (Modern, traditional, eclectic, minimalist?)
• What's the mood? (Calm, energetic, sophisticated?)

Write it down: "My room has [colors], is [style], and feels [mood]."

Step 3: Decide the Feeling (2 Minutes)

How Should This Space Feel?

Ask yourself:

• Do I want it calm? (Bedroom, office)
• Do I want it energizing? (Living room, entryway)
• Do I want it sophisticated? (Dining room, study)
• Do I want it inspiring? (Anywhere you need motivation)

Match Feeling to Subject

Calm/Peaceful:

• Water scenes (oceans, lakes, rivers)
• Misty landscapes
• Soft horizons
• Minimalist compositions

Energizing/Dynamic:

• Dramatic weather
• Bold mountain scenes
• Vibrant sunsets
• Strong compositions

Sophisticated/Elegant:

• Classic landscapes
• Monochrome or limited color
• Refined compositions
• Timeless subjects

Inspiring/Uplifting:

• Grand vistas
• Beautiful locations
• Expansive views
• Awe-inspiring scenes

Write it down: "I want this space to feel [feeling], so I'll look for [subject type]."

Step 4: Choose Your Colors (2 Minutes)

Three Simple Options

Option 1: Match Room Colors

• Art shares colors with your room
• Creates harmony
• Safe choice
• Example: Blue room → blue ocean scene

Option 2: Complement Room Colors

• Art works with but doesn't match
• Adds interest
• More dynamic
• Example: Warm room → cool landscape

Option 3: Go Neutral

• Black and white or muted tones
• Works with anything
• Timeless
• Example: Monochrome landscape

Quick test: Imagine the art in your room. Does it look good? Then it works.

Write it down: "I'll choose art with [color approach]."

Step 5: Set Your Budget (1 Minute)

Be Realistic

Ask yourself:

• What can I comfortably spend?
• Is this temporary or long-term?
• What size fits my budget?
• Are there payment options?

Budget ranges:

• Under $500: Quality prints, smaller sizes
• $500-$2,000: Larger prints, better quality
• $2,000+: Large limited editions, premium materials

Write it down: "My budget is $X, so I'm looking for [size/quality range]."

Step 6: Now You're Ready to Shop (The Easy Part)

You Now Have Clear Criteria

Your checklist:

• ✅ Size: X inches wide, Y inches tall
• ✅ Subject: [Type that matches feeling]
• ✅ Colors: [Approach you chose]
• ✅ Budget: $X range
• ✅ Style: [Matches your room]

How to Shop

Option 1: Filter by your criteria

• Use size filters
• Filter by subject type
• Filter by color
• Filter by price

Option 2: Browse with your criteria in mind

• Look at options
• Check if they match your list
• Eliminate what doesn't fit
• Focus on what does

Option 3: Get help

• Share your criteria with a consultant
• Ask for recommendations
• Get expert guidance

Step 7: Make Your Choice (Trust Your Gut)

The Final Step

You've narrowed it down. Now:

• Look at options that meet your criteria
• Notice which ones you're drawn to
• Trust your instincts
• Choose what makes you happy

Don't overthink: If it meets your criteria and you like it, it's right.

What If You're Still Stuck?

Common Sticking Points

"I like too many things"

• That's good! You have options
• Narrow by: size, budget, or feeling
• Choose the one you're most drawn to
• You can always buy more later

"Nothing feels right"

• Revisit your criteria
• Maybe feeling or subject needs adjustment
• Try a different color approach
• Consider expanding budget slightly

"I'm afraid of making a mistake"

• Art isn't permanent
• You can change it
• Trust your instincts
• If you love it, it's not a mistake

"I don't know what I like"

• Look at lots of images
• Notice what makes you pause
• Pay attention to what you're drawn to
• Your taste will become clear

The Complete Process (10 Minutes Total)

Quick Recap

1. Measure space (2 min) → Know your size
2. Look at room (1 min) → Know your style/colors
3. Decide feeling (2 min) → Know your subject
4. Choose colors (2 min) → Know your approach
5. Set budget (1 min) → Know your range
6. Shop with criteria (varies) → Find matches
7. Trust your gut (1 min) → Make choice

Total active time: About 10 minutes of thinking, then shopping becomes easy.

Real Example

The Process in Action

Starting point: "I want a landscape print but don't know where to start"

Step 1: Measure → "84-inch sofa, need 50-63 inch art" Step 2: Look at room → "Modern living room, gray and blue colors" Step 3: Decide feeling → "Want it calm and welcoming" Step 4: Choose colors → "Match the blue, complement the gray" Step 5: Set budget → "$1,500 range" Step 6: Shop → "Large horizontal ocean scene, blue tones, modern style, $1,500" Step 7: Choose → "This one speaks to me"

Result: Clear criteria, easy shopping, confident choice

The Bottom Line

When you don't know where to start:

1. Start with your space (where is it going?)
2. Measure (what size do you need?)
3. Assess your room (what style/colors?)
4. Decide feeling (what mood do you want?)
5. Choose colors (match, complement, or neutral?)
6. Set budget (what can you spend?)
7. Shop with criteria (find matches)
8. Trust your gut (make choice)

The key: Start with your space, not the art. Once you know where it's going and what you need, everything else becomes clear.

Remember: You don't need to know art. You just need to know your space, your feelings, and your budget. The rest is details.