How a large artwork can transform your living room
- dbwaterman
- Sep 13
- 6 min read
The living room is the focal point of the home. It is a space where family members gather. It is where we relax, welcome guests, read, converse, and dream.
Of course, the atmosphere is primarily determined by the furniture, lighting, and colors of the interior design.
But there is one element that is often underestimated in terms of its influence on the atmosphere in the home: a work of art on the wall.
To really determine the atmosphere, a large painting is of course important.
A large work of art has the power to completely transform a space. It not only brings visual impact, but also emotion, identity and a feeling to your interior.
In this blog, I explain why a large painting makes such a difference in a living room and how a large canvas in a mixed media art style can bring a space to life.
The power of size
A large original work of art on the wall has a real presence and cannot be ignored.
Where a small work of art nestles modestly in a room, a large original work of art takes over the wall. It gives the room a soul. It determines the atmosphere.
This may sound as if a large work of art is too imposing and very busy,
but in reality, a large painting brings tranquility. Because there are no more spaces to fill. The painting complements the interior, especially if the colors are matched to the interior.
I often think of that empty wall above a sofa or behind a dining table. As long as nothing hangs there, the space remains unfinished, as if it is still waiting for a story. Hang a large work there, and the atmosphere changes immediately. The wall is no longer a backdrop, but a stage. The painting lifts the room and completes it.
I believe that a large mixed media artwork goes far beyond decoration. You can disappear into the painting, dream away at the image, gaze endlessly at the textures and many details that stand out in a large work.
The size gives you space to really experience that layering. I often see it as a dialogue: the canvas speaks, the space listens, and together they create harmony.
Large artworks bring emotion closer
Creating a large artwork isn't just a practical choice; it's a wonderful way to convey the emotion I want the viewer to feel.
A small canvas can be beautiful, but with a large painting, you almost literally step into my world.
My mixed media artworks are all about the construction and transparency of layers. Up close, you see the many small details, the weathered textures, and letters and words that partially reveal themselves.
From a distance, a completely different image emerges. Then you see a story. That difference between distance and proximity, between detail and the whole, ensures that a large painting makes you see and feel something different every time.
What I find special about large artworks is that a large canvas not only has a significant visual impact but can also have a profound emotional meaning.
It can bring peace and tranquility to a space, evoke a melancholic feeling, or even bring a powerful energy to the room. I regularly hear from my buyers that they feel like a painting was made especially for them and is part of their lives.
For me, that's the most important and beautiful thing to hear: a large painting isn't just decoration; it truly has a presence and defines people's living spaces.
3. A big canvas transforms light and space
What I find fascinating is how a large painting influences the entire atmosphere of a room. It's not just something that hangs on the wall—it interacts with light and space. Dark shades make a room warmer, more intimate, almost cocooning. Light or soft colors, on the other hand, create a sense of airiness, making the space feel larger and more open.
And because a large canvas has so much surface area, the colors can shift with the daylight. In the morning, it takes on a fresh brightness, at dusk the tones become deeper and warmer, and under artificial light, other details reveal themselves. A large painting never stands still. It moves with the seasons, with the rhythm of the day—and that's precisely what makes it constantly surprising.
4. A large original artwork makes an interior personal
Hanging a large original mixed media artwork in your living space requires a bit of courage.
Anyone can hang a poster, but a large painting says something about the owner. It's a statement, but also a reflection of who you are. Because a large canvas is so present, it says a lot about the owner: about their taste, their feelings, and what they want to express.
My paintings are often chosen for their familiarity and melancholy. For many people, they evoke childhood memories.
Or for the stories suggested in my slightly surreal landscapes with people.
My work leaves room for interpretation, and that makes it personal. People recognize their own stories in my images.
I remember a buyer saying to me: "This painting is all about my summer holidays at the seaside as a child. It evokes so many memories! As if the painting was made for me."
5. large art in every style of home
Many people think a large painting can't fit into a smaller space. That a large artwork only suits a large house.
But that's a real misconception.
A large painting can actually work very well in a smaller space.
Instead of multiple small artworks or other things on the wall that make the whole look cluttered and busy, a large artwork creates unity and tranquility.
Especially when the color and image complement the space.
In a modern interior with clean lines, a large mixed media painting can add warmth, texture, and character.
And in classic or older homes, it can provide that exciting contrast that makes the space feel new. The beauty of my way of working—the layers, the weathered structures, the texture—is that they always add depth. Regardless of the style of the room, a dialogue is created between the work and the space.
6. A large custom piece on commission
People sometimes ask me if an existing painting, whether or not it has sold, can also be made in a large format.
The answer is: yes, a commissioned work on a large canvas can be based on a smaller artwork. Of course, I never make an exact copy—each painting remains unique. But I can translate the same atmosphere, colors, and textures to a larger canvas. This way, an intimate work that appeals to someone can grow into a monumental piece for their living room.
This process is very personal. Together, we consider the wall where the painting will hang, the desired dimensions, and the elements that appeal to someone in my previous work. The result is a large, original artwork created specifically for that space.
7. Practical: How to Choose the Right Size
Choosing the right size is perhaps the biggest challenge. Here are a few simple tips:
Measure the wall where the painting will hang. • Consider the furniture: above a sofa, a work of 120 to 180 cm is often ideal.
Or above a dining table, depending on the position of the table. A vertical painting looks wonderful above the short side of a table!
Consider the surrounding colors of walls and furniture.
Don't be put off by large sizes: a canvas that seems enormous in the studio can look surprisingly perfect in a living room.
Use my service for a free trial preview: send me a photo of your wall, and I'll digitally insert the desired painting. This way, you can immediately see if it fits. Take a good, clear photo in daylight, straight from the front.
(No small files)
We can discuss sizes and colors together.
Remember: Almost all paintings can be made in a size and color of your choice.
Visit my Studio!
You are always welcome to visit my studio gallery at Strijp-S in Eindhoven,
The Netherlands or take a look at my online portfolio.
Please contact me with any questions or requests you may have!
Please contact me if you have any questions. I can help you choose or create a piece of art that fits your interior!
