How to Choose Abstract Art for Your Bedroom

Why Abstract Art Works So Well in Bedrooms

Your bedroom is the most personal room in your home. It's where you start and end each day, so the art on your walls should reflect how you want to feel in that space. Abstract art is one of the best choices for bedrooms because it creates atmosphere without demanding attention — it sets a mood rather than telling a story.

Unlike figurative art or photography, abstract pieces let your mind rest. There's nothing to interpret or analyse. Instead, the colours, textures, and forms simply wash over you — exactly what you want in a space designed for relaxation and sleep.

Choosing the Right Colour Palette

Colour is the single most important factor when selecting abstract art for a bedroom. The tones in your artwork will influence the entire feel of the room, so it's worth getting this right.

For calm, restful bedrooms: Look for pieces in soft neutrals — warm nudes, gentle creams, muted greys, and sandy tones. These colours naturally lower visual stimulation and create a cocoon-like atmosphere. Pieces like our Nude Heaven or Whispered Mist collections work beautifully above a bed, adding depth without disrupting the sense of calm.

For warm, cosy bedrooms: Rich earth tones bring warmth and intimacy. Think deep browns, terracottas, warm ambers, and mocha shades. These work especially well in bedrooms with wooden furniture or natural textiles. Our Mocha Dusk and Brown Coffee canvases are designed exactly for this kind of space.

For fresh, airy bedrooms: If your bedroom gets good natural light, soft greens and muted blues can enhance that feeling of openness. Sage greens and misty blues connect the space to nature without being too literal. Our Verona Sage and Whisper Grey ranges bring this energy beautifully.

For bold, dramatic bedrooms: Not every bedroom needs to be soft. If you love a moody, boutique-hotel feel, deeper tones like charcoal, dark grey, and midnight hues create real impact. Our Charcoal Nights and Grey Nights pieces are perfect for making a statement above a headboard.

Single Piece or a Set?

This depends on your wall space and the look you're going for.

A single large canvas (typically 90x60cm or 120x80cm) creates a strong focal point and works well when centred above a bed or on the wall facing it. This is the simplest approach and suits most bedroom layouts.

A set of 2 placed side by side above a bed creates a balanced, symmetrical look that feels considered and intentional. This works particularly well above wider beds — king and super king — where a single piece might look lost. The gap between the two canvases should be around 5-8cm for the best visual effect.

A set of 3 makes a real gallery statement. This works best on larger walls or in bedrooms where the art wall isn't directly above the bed — perhaps on the wall you see when you wake up. Three pieces in a row need a wall at least 180cm wide to breathe properly.

Where to Hang It

In a bedroom, you have two main options for art placement, and both work well for different reasons.

Above the bed: This is the most popular choice and creates an instant focal point. The bottom edge of the canvas should sit roughly 15-20cm above your headboard. If you don't have a headboard, aim for the centre of the canvas to be at roughly eye level when standing — around 150cm from the floor.

Opposite the bed: This is the wall you see first when you wake up and last before you sleep. Hanging art here means you actually get to enjoy it more than art above your headboard, which you only really see when entering the room. It's an underused spot that can completely transform how a bedroom feels.

Framed Canvas vs Art Prints for Bedrooms

Both work well, but they create different effects.

Framed canvas has more physical presence — the depth of the frame and the texture of the canvas surface add a gallery-quality feel. Hand-stretched canvas also catches light differently throughout the day, which adds subtle life to a bedroom. This is our most popular choice for bedrooms.

Art prints are lighter and more versatile. They work well in sets where you want a cohesive gallery wall look, and they're easy to swap out if you like to refresh your space seasonally.

A Few Practical Tips

Keep the scale proportionate. Art that's too small for the wall will look like an afterthought. As a general rule, your artwork should cover roughly two-thirds to three-quarters of the width of the furniture below it.

Consider what you see from the bed. Lie down and look at the wall opposite — that's the view that matters most in a bedroom. If you're only hanging art above the bed, consider adding something small on the facing wall too.

Don't overcrowd. Bedrooms benefit from breathing room. One strong piece or a considered set will always look better than multiple small pieces scattered across every wall.

Every piece in our collection is handcrafted in our London studio and stretched over solid wood frames. We've helped over 50,000 customers find the right art for their homes — and bedrooms are consistently the most popular room our customers are styling.