ROOM DECOR IDEAS
4 Easy Tips on How to Decorate Using Posters (and Make it Look Good!)
Have you ever been really excited about a piece of artwork that you purchased, but then once you hung it on your wall, the look wasn’t quite what you envisioned? You’re not alone! Interior design and home decorating can be really intimidating. The good news is, if you already have an art print that you love – something that speaks to you or simply brings a smile to your face – the hard part of the design process is already over! Now, you can use that wall art as your anchor point and coordinate any new art and decorations around that piece. Check out the 4 easy styling tips and mood boards below for some home inspiration and room decorating ideas based on vintage-inspired artwork and retro posters from WindowShopGal.
Artwork: Stars Hollow Heritage Poster / Frame: Architect Frame in Walnut / Rug: Target / Greenery: Pier 1
Vase: TJ Maxx Homegoods / Table: Pier 1 / Pillow Cover: Amazon / Pillow Inserts: Amazon
1. When choosing your art prints, size matters a lot.
This is the number one mistake that many people make when purchasing artwork – they always underestimate the size of the poster / art print that is needed to make an impact on their walls. In most cases, unless you’re decorating a small wall space or need to fill an area in an existing gallery (see photo below), whatever size you think you need for a blank wall, it’s usually best to get the next size up.
Stars Hollow Poster, 18x24" inch
Albuquerque Travel Poster, 24x36" inch
The size you think you need may seem “big” to you after measuring your space up close, but realize that people aren’t going to be walking up to your walls and staring closely at your artwork. People admire art in passing from several feet away…and from a distance, your beloved art piece can look as small as a postage stamp! Simply put, go bigger and it’ll look better!
Add pops of color and tie the whole room together by choosing pillows and blankets in hues that are inspired by your wall art.
Artwork: In Omnia Paratus Poster, Scranton Poster, Pawnee Poster / Frame: Architect Frame in Black
2. Pick 2-3 colors from your wall art and use that as your color palette.
If you really want to pull the look of your entire room together (or cozy corner, reading nook, etc.) , you should first visualize and make note of your desired color palette. Ideally, you would already have a personal color preference and go from there...but oftentimes, people don't actually know what color(s) they want in their room. So, one easy way to find your color palette is to choose 2-3 colors from a piece of artwork (or several pieces) that you want to feature in the designated space. This technique is especially helpful if you don't already have a color theme in your room to begin with (it's okay, most people don't). In fact, the simplest way to decorate a room is to base the color palette from a single piece of artwork, and then obtain home accessories in complementary colors.
Design Inspiration: In Omnia Paratus Poster
When first designing a room, most people choose neutral colored furniture (brown, gray and ivory tones) because those are the safest color choices. That is a great starting point, because then, once you decide on the basis of your color palette, all you need to do is simply add a few accent pieces (such as pillows, throw blankets, etc.) to amplify the look of your living space.
Pro tip: When choosing your pillows and throw blankets, be sure to also try and mix in a different textures (i.e. velvet, burlap, wool) or patterns (stripes, checkered, floral, geometric) to add more visual interest and not make it look too "matchy-matchy" by having all solid colored items in the same fabric.
As you can see from the mood board above, the color palette is based on the yellow, sky blue, and rust tones found in the artwork ("In Omnia Paratus" Poster). To add style to the room and build a cohesive look, let's start with adding hints of yellow to the space. Note that because yellow is such a dominant color in the art piece, it's best to keep the tone and spatial presence of your yellow home accessories on the conservative side, especially since that specific shade in itself is already a bold color choice. In this case, a spray of yellow flowers, a somber / cream-yellow throw blanket and a subdued, jewel-toned pillow is all you need to accentuate the artwork, without evoking feelings of McDonald's.
Next...to really elevate the room, instead of choosing a plain, neutral colored sofa, let's have fun and choose one in the same color family of the blue dress in the artwork. Keep in mind, a sky blue sofa is unique and unexpected, but as an alternative, adding blue throw pillows to a neutral colored sofa works just as well. Finally, to match the vintage red-orange lettering in the artwork, adding a rust-toned throw pillow with an interesting texture and tassels would really be the cherry on top!
Design Inspiration: Högsmæde Travel Poster
3. Focus on color, but don’t forget about style, mood and theme.
It’s easy to find complementary colors, but it’s a bit harder to nail down your style preference and how you want someone to FEEL when they enter a room. Let’s take the Högsmæde Travel Poster as an example (mood board above). In this case, aside from choosing decorative items in the right color palette, it would also make an amazing impact to build a theme around the artwork. Do this by thinking of key words that pop into your head when you visualize Hogsmeade village (for the “muggles” out there, this artwork is inspired by the fictional universe from the Harry Potter book series). In this case, the key words are: “cozy” (hence, the throw blanket and iron candle holders), “rustic” (wooden deer head & antler lamp) and tavern (coffee table that looks like an oak barrel…evoking feelings of “The Three Broomsticks” tavern).
Bonus Tip: Choose the Right Type of Picture Frame
Artwork: New York Travel Poster / Frame: Architect Frame in Black
To achieve the same look of the vintage-inspired poster prints as seen on WindowShopGal, the simplest choice that will fit almost any decor is a black wooden frame with a matte finish, flat / clean lines, and a frame border width of 1" inch or less.*** This look is effortless, timeless and elegant, and pairs especially well with retro-style posters.
If you want to veer away from a modern style, then choose a rustic finish or stained wood frame to achieve a "farmhouse style" or even "boho" look. See photo examples below.
Artwork: Hogsmeade Travel Poster (Photo by @SageHillCottage) / In Omnia Paratus Heritage Poster (Photo by @thelafleurhouse) / Yule Ball Poster (Photo by @SageHillCottage) / Frame: Calenzana Frame
Frame Suggestions
Need specific frame suggestions? The Architect Frame from Frame USA (the thin, black frame as seen in most WindowShopGal photos) is my go-to choice for both modern and rustic decor - you can find this affordable option in plain black and other wood finish variations. I do not receive any incentive from recommending their frame - I just like them, and they're budget-friendly to boot! Another black frame that I like (with a real glass front) is the Black Tyler Frame from Michael's stores. For a rustic wood option with a slightly thicker frame border, opt for the Calenzana Frame from Amazon (as seen above in the dreamy Instagram photos above).
***Note on specific frame border widths: If you want to get technical, aim for 1/2″ inch border width for 11×17″ or smaller prints, 3/4″ - 1" inch border width for 18×24″ art prints and 3/4" - 2" inch border width for 24×36″ art prints.
Artwork: Farhampton Poster by WindowShopGal / Photo + Styling by Andi Mans / Frame: CB2 Gallery Brass Frame with White Mat, 18x24
For an upscale look, choose a frame with a white mat!
Although WindowShopGal posters already include an elegant, thin antique white border and look great framed as-is, you can elevate the look of your poster by choosing a frame with a white mat as seen in the photo above (credit to home stylist Andi Mans). The fabulous frame pictured is from CB2 (Gallery Brass Picture Frame with White Mat, 18x24") and the artwork contained is the Farhampton poster by WindowShopGal.
Artwork: Luke's (18x24") and Stars Hollow (24x36") Poster by WindowShopGal / Black Frame: Architect Frame (18x24")
Happy decorating!
Please let me know in the comments section below if you have any questions or want any additional styling advice for your WindowShopGal prints! Also, if you've already styled your posters, please tag me (@WindowShopGal) on Instagram!