The right canvas print does more than fill wall spaceâit enhances and completes your interior design vision. A carefully chosen piece reinforces your room's aesthetic, while a mismatched one creates visual discord that makes spaces feel unsettled. Understanding how different artwork styles interact with interior design schemes helps you make choices that elevate your home.
In this guide, we'll explore popular Australian interior styles and the canvas prints that complement each, helping you select artwork that feels like it belongs rather than an afterthought.
Understanding Your Interior Style
Before selecting artwork, clearly identify your room's design direction. Most Australian homes fall into these broad categories:
- Modern/Contemporary: Clean lines, neutral colours, minimal ornamentation
- Coastal/Hamptons: Light and airy, blues and whites, relaxed elegance
- Bohemian/Eclectic: Layered, colourful, globally-inspired
- Traditional/Classic: Timeless, elegant, ornate details
- Scandinavian: Functional, cozy, nature-inspired neutrals
- Industrial: Raw materials, urban edge, utilitarian elements
- Australian Native: Indigenous influences, natural colours, bush imagery
Your space might blend elements from multiple stylesâthat's perfectly normal. Identify the dominant aesthetic to guide your artwork selection.
đĄ The 80/20 Rule
Approximately 80% of your artwork should complement your existing style, while up to 20% can introduce contrasting elements for interest. A minimalist room might include one bold, colourful piece as a deliberate accent.
Modern and Contemporary Spaces
Modern interiors embrace simplicity, with furniture featuring clean lines and spaces remaining uncluttered. Artwork in these settings should enhance the sense of calm sophistication.
Recommended Canvas Styles
- Abstract minimalism: Simple shapes, limited colour palettes, geometric forms
- Black and white photography: Architectural, landscapes, or artistic subjects
- Colour block art: Bold, simple colour fields without busy patterns
- Line art: Single-line drawings, minimalist figures, architectural sketches
Colours to Consider
Modern spaces typically feature neutral foundationsâgrey, white, black, and natural tones. Choose artwork that either complements this palette with similar neutrals, or provides deliberate contrast through a single bold colour accent that echoes elsewhere in the room.
What to Avoid
Overly detailed or busy imagery, ornate patterns, rustic or vintage aesthetics, and heavily textured or distressed finishes typically clash with modern design sensibilities.
Coastal and Hamptons Style
Inspired by Australian beach life and American Hamptons sophistication, this beloved style combines relaxed elegance with seaside references. Think white and blue colour schemes, natural textures, and breezy atmosphere.
Recommended Canvas Styles
- Ocean photography: Waves, beaches, underwater scenes in blues and aquas
- Botanical prints: Palms, coastal plants, pressed botanical studies
- Marine life: Coral, shells, sea creatures in artistic renderings
- Beach landscapes: Aerial beach views, dunes, coastal horizons
- Abstract ocean: Impressionistic water and sky in coastal colours
Colours to Consider
Blues ranging from navy to pale aqua, sandy neutrals, crisp whites, soft greys, and touches of coral or seafoam green. Avoid jarring oranges, deep purples, or overly saturated colours that break the serene coastal mood.
đ Australian Coastal Tip
Consider artwork featuring iconic Australian coastal scenesâthe Great Barrier Reef's turquoise waters, the Great Ocean Road's dramatic cliffs, or the pristine beaches of Western Australia. These create meaningful connections to place while perfectly fitting the coastal aesthetic.
Bohemian and Eclectic Spaces
Bohemian style embraces maximalism, global influences, and personal expression. This is the most forgiving style for artwork selectionâpersonality trumps rules.
Recommended Canvas Styles
- World art: Moroccan patterns, Indian textiles, African motifs
- Botanical maximalism: Lush, detailed floral and plant imagery
- Vintage-inspired: Retro travel posters, vintage botanical illustrations
- Portrait art: Figure studies, expressive portraits, figurative art
- Bold abstracts: Colourful, expressive, emotion-driven paintings
Colours to Consider
Almost anything goes in bohemian spaces. Rich jewel tones (emerald, sapphire, ruby), warm terracotta and rust, deep purples, and vibrant oranges all find homes here. The key is layered colour throughout the room, not just in artwork.
Gallery Walls
Bohemian style particularly suits eclectic gallery walls mixing various art types, sizes, and frames. The collected-over-time aesthetic feels authentic and personal.
Traditional and Classic Interiors
Traditional style draws from European heritage, featuring elegant furniture, rich colours, and timeless sophistication. Artwork should feel established and refined.
Recommended Canvas Styles
- Landscape painting: Classic European and Australian landscapes in painterly styles
- Still life: Traditional still life compositions with flowers, fruit, objects
- Portraiture: Classical-style portraits, dignified and refined
- Architectural studies: Historical buildings, classical architecture
- Fine art reproductions: Museum-quality reproductions of Old Masters
Colours to Consider
Deep, rich colours suit traditional spacesâburgundy, navy, forest green, gold accents, warm browns. Artwork can feature these colours or provide contrast through creamy whites and soft backgrounds typical of classical paintings.
Scandinavian Style
Scandinavian design emphasises functionality, natural materials, and cosy minimalism (hygge). Artwork should enhance the sense of warmth and calm.
Recommended Canvas Styles
- Nature photography: Forests, mountains, natural landscapes in muted tones
- Simple illustrations: Line drawings, minimalist graphic art
- Abstract organic: Soft shapes suggesting natural forms
- Typography: Simple word art with meaningful quotes
- Architectural minimalism: Simple building studies in black and white
Colours to Consider
Muted palettes ruleâsoft greys, warm whites, gentle blues, dusty pinks, sage greens. Avoid overly bright or saturated colours that disrupt the peaceful atmosphere.
đ Scandinavian Styling
Scandinavian spaces often feature artwork leaned against walls or on shelves rather than hung, creating a relaxed, accessible feel. Large canvases on the floor propped against walls suit this aesthetic perfectly.
Industrial Style
Industrial design celebrates raw materials, exposed structures, and urban character. Artwork should feel bold and confident, matching the space's edgy personality.
Recommended Canvas Styles
- Urban photography: Cityscapes, architecture, street scenes
- Abstract expressionism: Bold, gestural brushwork in dark palettes
- Graphic art: Bold typography, vintage industrial graphics
- Black and white photography: High-contrast, dramatic images
- Metal-effect art: Artwork suggesting oxidised metals, rust, patina
Colours to Consider
Dark, moody palettesâcharcoal, rust, deep brown, black, copper, and iron tones. Pops of industrial-inspired colour (construction orange, safety yellow) can work as bold accents.
Australian Native Style
This distinctly Australian aesthetic draws from the bush landscape and Indigenous art traditions, celebrating the unique character of the Australian environment.
Recommended Canvas Styles
- Australian landscapes: Outback scenes, eucalyptus forests, red earth
- Indigenous-inspired: Dot paintings, Aboriginal art prints (ensure authentic and ethically sourced)
- Native flora: Banksia, waratah, gum blossoms, wattle
- Australian fauna: Koalas, kangaroos, native birds in artistic styles
- Bush photography: Dramatic Australian landscape photography
Colours to Consider
Earth tones dominateâochre, terracotta, sage green, gum-leaf grey, dusty pink, and the rich reds of the Outback. These colours connect interiors to the Australian landscape.
General Principles for Any Style
Regardless of your interior style, these principles help artwork integrate successfully:
Colour Echo
Artwork should include at least one colour present elsewhere in your roomâa cushion, rug, curtain, or decorative object. This creates visual connection and intention.
Scale Relationship
Large furniture suits larger artwork; delicate pieces suit smaller, refined art. A massive canvas above a dainty side table looks unbalanced, and vice versa.
Mood Alignment
Consider the emotional tone of your space. Calming bedrooms suit serene artwork; energetic living areas can handle more dynamic pieces.
Key Takeaways
- Identify your room's dominant interior style before selecting artwork
- Use the 80/20 ruleâmostly complementary pieces with occasional deliberate contrast
- Ensure artwork includes colours echoed elsewhere in the room
- Match artwork scale to furniture scale for visual balance
- Consider the emotional mood you want to create
- Bohemian and eclectic styles offer the most flexibility