How to Mix Original Art and Prints in Your Interior Design

Mixing original art and prints is a creative way to personalize your home while building a dynamic, layered interior design. Originals offer uniqueness and character, while prints allow you to explore variety and accessibility. When thoughtfully combined, they can transform a space into a curated gallery that reflects your personality, taste, and lifestyle. In this guide, we’ll cover practical tips for blending originals and prints, creating visual balance, and making your walls truly inspiring.

1. Start with a Statement Original

Original artwork is often the anchor in any design scheme:

1. Create a Focal Point: Use a large original painting or limited edition piece as the centerpiece in a living room, hallway, or bedroom.
2. Highlight Unique Features: Originals often have texture, brushwork, or dimensionality that makes them stand out. Place them where they can be appreciated up close.
3. Set the Tone: The style, color palette, and mood of the original can guide the selection of complementary prints for a cohesive design.

Starting with a strong original ensures your interior has a focal point around which other artwork can be arranged.

2. Complement with High-Quality Prints

Prints are versatile, affordable, and perfect for layering with originals:

1. Echo Themes and Colors: Choose prints that reflect similar colors, patterns, or subjects to create harmony.
2. Fill in Spaces: Prints can occupy smaller walls, shelves, or clusters around the original to add depth without overwhelming the room.
3. Rotate Options Easily: Prints make it simple to refresh a room’s look without a permanent commitment.

High-quality prints—especially those on archival paper with vibrant inks—can closely mimic the feel of original artwork while keeping your design flexible.

3. Create a Balanced Gallery Wall

Gallery walls are an ideal way to mix originals and prints:

1. Vary Sizes and Shapes: Combine large originals with smaller prints to create visual interest. A mix of horizontal and vertical frames adds dimension.
2. Maintain Consistency: Keep a common element, such as a frame color, mat style, or theme, to prevent the gallery wall from feeling chaotic.
3. Include Negative Space: Don’t overcrowd the wall. Leaving breathing room around each piece ensures every artwork gets noticed.

A thoughtfully designed gallery wall can turn any room into a mini-exhibition, showcasing your personal collection in style.

4. Play with Placement and Scale

Placement and scale are crucial for mixing originals and prints successfully:

1. Eye-Level Viewing: Hang key pieces at eye level (roughly 150cm from the floor to the center) for optimal viewing.
2. Layering on Shelves: Originals and prints can lean against walls on shelves or consoles, allowing flexible arrangements that are easy to change.
3. Balance Big and Small: Pair large statement pieces with smaller prints or sketches. This creates a natural rhythm and prevents walls from feeling top-heavy.

Experimenting with placement helps you find a layout that feels organic and harmonious.

5. Mix Textures and Mediums

Part of the beauty of combining originals and prints is the ability to play with textures and mediums:

1. Canvas vs. Paper: Original paintings on canvas can be complemented with prints on matte or glossy paper to add variety.
2. 3D Elements: Consider framed sketches, relief prints, or even small sculptures alongside 2D works for a dynamic display.
3. Matting for Depth: Use mats to add dimension, especially when framing prints near textured originals.

Combining textures engages the eye and adds richness to your interior design.

6. Align with Your Room’s Aesthetic

Art should enhance the overall feel of your space:

1. Match the Mood: Choose originals and prints that complement the room’s ambiance. For example, serene landscapes pair well with neutral, calming interiors.
2. Coordinate Colors: Use recurring color accents to create cohesion between prints and originals.
3. Reflect Your Personality: The best arrangements feel intentional and personal, rather than forced or trendy.

By aligning your artwork with the room’s aesthetic, you ensure your home feels unified and curated.

7. Trust Your Instincts and Enjoy the Process

Blending originals and prints is as much about instinct as it is about strategy:

1. Experiment Freely: Don’t be afraid to try different combinations before committing to a final layout.
2. Personal Connection Matters: Choose pieces that resonate with you emotionally, not just decoratively.
3. Evolve Over Time: Your gallery can grow and change as your tastes and collection evolve.

Art is meant to inspire, so let the process be enjoyable and personal.

Final Thoughts

Mixing original art and prints in your interior design offers endless opportunities for creativity. By starting with a statement original, complementing it with prints, and thoughtfully considering placement, scale, texture, and color, you can curate a space that feels layered, personal, and visually stunning.

Whether you’re creating a gallery wall, decorating a single room, or building a full-home art collection, combining originals and prints allows for flexibility, accessibility, and artistic expression. With intention and care, your walls can tell a story that is uniquely yours.