Home Décor Using Landscape Photography

Home décor focal points, colour harmony, and more are packed into this powerful decorating guide using landscape photography as wall art.

A large photographic print of Moraine Lake hangs on the wall in a large lobby over a sofa.
'True Blue', Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta. Limited Edition of 100. ®Dean McLeod Photography


Adding landscape photography to complement your home décor can be one of the most rewarding aspects of decorating, creating a calming atmosphere and making your home interior more inviting and beautiful.

It can also be somewhat challenging, and unless you are an interior designer or art curator, searching for art pieces and blending them into your home may seem like somewhat of a mystery.

A abstract panoramic photograph with orange and green colors hangs on the wall of a monochromatic kitchen with dark colour and natural wood furnishings.
A monochromatic room with neutrally coloured furnishings and wall colour is the perfect opportunity to add a nature print with vibrant colour as a main focal point. Orange fruit and small plants with green that match the print was a simple way to tie this room together.

But if you are reading this article, chances are you are already a creative person. You are probably aware that the atmosphere in your home can have a strong impact on how you think and feel.Your home is an extension of your tastes and should speak to who you are.

If you are considering a large nature themed photography print for your home but find the process overwhelming, the following tips, theories, and ideas may prove helpful.



Creating A Focal Point

One of the main goals in choosing a print is to create a focal point in your room. When you examine the image below, what is the first thing that you notice? My guess is the large print of the Japanese maple tree! That is the room’s focal point.

Neutral walls are often the best way give your photography print the attention it deserves. Without any colour behind it competing for recognition, this art piece becomes an unmistakable focal point.

A very large photographic print of a tree hangs on the wall of a minimalist living room with a white sofa.
This large empty wall with soaring ceilings was the perfect home for this oversized tree photograph. Neutrally coloured décor and walls are the perfect opportunity to add a splash of colour, which becomes an instant focal point and topic of conversation with guests.

The biggest mistake when purchasing art is to choose a piece that is too small. If it does not fit the scale of the wall, it will tend to become 'lost' and forgettable.

In all likelihood, if you are investing in an original artwork or photography print, you want it to be the prime focus in your room. So don't hesitate to be bold and consider larger pieces to breathe life into your home.

An oversized photographic print of trees and a misty lake hangs on the wall of a dimly lit living room with leather furniture.
This atmospheric feel of this nature print, along with the blue/green colour scheme communicates serenity and peace. The large size of the print draws the eye and becomes a conversation starter.

Large artworks make a powerful statement by drawing the eye and pulling your rooms together which makes your home more inviting. They are very compelling when placed above a large piece of furniture such as a sofa or dining table, becoming an instant centerpiece that helps anchor the space.



The Size That Fits

An important consideration in choosing a print is determining what kind of wall space you have to work with. Start by measuring the width of your furniture if you intend to install artwork above it.

As a general rule of thumb, art placed above a sofa, dining room table, or headboard looks best when it is at least 2/3 to 3/4 the width of the furniture, or slightly larger. Remember rules can always be broken, but this is an important starting point to consider.

A photographic print of a forest hangs on the wall of a living room with white furniture.
This art piece is approximately 3/4 the width of the sofa. On this large wall, a smaller print would become lost and forgettable.

A large photographic print of Sunwapta Falls hangs on the wall in a large dining room with a table and chairs.
This homeowner chose a large waterfall print for their dining room, just slightly smaller than the width of the table. The blues and greens in the print compliment the neutrally coloured décor and evoke feelings of peace and serenity.


If you find that the wall is too large for a single art piece, you can always create a 'gallery wall' with a selection of smaller pieces grouped together.

This would be the perfect opportunity to group prints with a similar theme or colour scheme with striking results. Multiple works from the same photographer or artist will generally compliment each other naturally.

Three photographic prints of molten lava hang together on a gallery wall in a modern home.
These three images with a similar theme and colour palette are perfect on this gallery wall.




Self-Expression Through Artwork

While it is usually wise to choose neutrally coloured high-ticket items like sofas and flooring that will not go out of style next year, investing in an eye-catching art piece is an opportunity to express your personality through colour and subject matter.

Before purchasing a print, if you find that you have doubts about your choice because it does not create feelings of happiness, relaxation, or excitement, then that is a red flag and you probably do not want it on your wall for the long term. You don't want to like it.... you need to love it.

A colorful abstract nature photograph hangs in a contemporary living room.
The bright colours in this abstract print perfectly compliment the subdued palette of this modern, contemporary space making it an instant focal point.

The right nature print sets the mood for your space by keeping it inviting and communicating what type of person or family you are. We are all different and deserve to decorate our homes in an inspiring way that articulates who we are to our guests.

A very large panoramic photograph of bright red maple leaves and branches hangs over a large dining room table.
Not a single guest enters this room with noticing this large triptych print. The colours reflect the personality of the homeowner and suggest passion, happiness, and energy.


It is suggested you take the time to source a high-quality print that you love. It is your home and money being invested, and you want it to be an expression of your identity and tastes.

That is the beauty of art; it reveals your personality and exists to remind you where you have been and what you love. Surrounding yourself with art that speaks to you is especially inspiring and can improve your own well-being.



Choosing By Style Or Theme

It is very natural to choose artwork that matches the style of your room or architecture, with existing furniture and décor that you already own.

For example, if you have an affinity for modern architecture, furniture, and decorating you may lean towards a frameless nature photography print that 'floats' on your wall.

Do you have hardwood, wood moldings, and classic furniture? A beautiful wood frame on your artwork would be a stunning addition to make it blend seamlessly into its surroundings.

A wooden framed photograph of an old barn hangs on the wall in a mudroom with a wooden bench.
The country theme and colour choice of this wood-framed print allow it to blend seamlessly into this modern country home. Note how the greens of the plant match the field colour in the print, pulling the space together beautifully.

Some homeowners like to decorate with a certain theme or idea, like tree or waterfall photography, abstract prints, or artwork with bright colours.

To compliment your artwork, you can also shop and search for decorations specific to your theme or with colours that are already present in the art. Area rugs, accent pillows, throw blankets, bowls, or lamps are just a few of the items you can purchase to match or blend with the colours in your print.

A large photographic print of a Japanese maple tree hangs on the wall of an Asian inspired room.
The unique bonsai tree and lantern perfectly compliment the Japanese maple tree photography print in this themed room.


The Theory Of Colour Harmony

Have you ever noticed how certain colours just seem to 'work' together, while others seem to clash? This phenomenon is described as 'colour harmony' and has been the topic of extensive research throughout history.

Although many patterns and models of 'colour wheels' have been suggested over time, the traditional 'RYB' model (red, yellow, blue) is most commonly used for selecting colours that are perceived as harmonious and pleasing when presented together.

The chart below helps to visualize some of the common types of colour harmonies. The 'primary' colors of red, yellow, and blue are colours which can be mixed in a varying amounts to create almost any other colour. Note that the primary colours are equidistant from one another in a triangle or 'triad' on the wheel.

Infographic comparing the color wheels of different color harmonies.
The colour harmony wheels can help to choose colours that compliment one another for a cohesive palette in any room.

'Analogous' colours are composed of a root colour complimented by two or more colours that are all next to each other on the colour wheel, and tend to be the simplest when choosing a colour scheme for your home.

'Complementary' colours are ones that are exact opposite each other on the wheel, and create the most contrast and tension from one another.

'Monochromatic' colours are all the tones, tints, and shades of a single hue such as light, medium, and dark blue.

A wide panoramic forest scene hangs in a living room with a large sofa and entertainment center.
The monochromatic shades of brown in this room feel natural and organic. The large triptych forest panorama adds to the organic feel, while the orange accent pillows match the colours in the print, tying the room together beautifully.


If you already have expensive furniture or other items with a certain colour theme, it makes sense to choose artwork that contains colours which complement the ones already present in the room.

Alternatively, adding decorations and accessories later that contain colours already in the artwork emphasizes the united feel of your home.

An oversized photographic print of a mountain peak hangs on the wall of a living room over a stone fireplace.
Blues and browns are complementary colours, which make this oversized print become a focal point while matching the room style. The colour symbolism speaks of honesty, peace, and communication.


If your goal is to keep your space sophisticated, it is a good idea to stay with a consistent colour scheme in a room to keep it cohesive.


Colour Symbolism

Although it is highly subjective and contrasting across the many geographic and cultural boundaries of the world, colour symbolism refers to giving a meaning or association to certain colors.

For example, a bride in North America often wears white, while in China they may wear red. Or the colour yellow is commonly associated with warmth in North America, whereas in the Netherlands it is blue.

Infographic chart illustrating the commonly perceived meanings of different colors.
Although subjective, this chart may help you to subconsciously convey a certain mood in a room by using colour.

The chart above is an indicator of colour symbolism in North America and although there may be variances depending on culture, these meanings are somewhat customary.

If you desire to create a specific atmosphere in your home, this guide may help you to choose colours that communicate your chosen ambiance effectively.

    A very large panoramic photograph of flowing lava hangs over a dark brown leather sofa.
    This oversized triptych of molten lava communicates the feeling of power and mystery, expressing this homeowner's personality while making a statement. Note how the accent colours in the carpeting reflect the colours in the print, making it a perfect fit in this contemporary room.


    Referencing the colour wheel and symbolism guides can help you to choose colours when investing in a beautiful photography print. Below, this abstract image with tones of yellow and orange looks stunning against the bold gray/brown walls.

    An oversized abstract photographic nature print hangs over a fireplace in a cozy den with two leather chairs.
    The monochromatic/analogous colour scheme keeps this cozy den cohesive and sophisticated. Light and dark browns look beautiful together, which communicate a natural and organic feel with energy and warmth.



    A Final Note


    There is nothing more deeply rooted in humans than our love of nature. For that reason, landscape and nature photography prints are a perfectly natural way to decorate and beautify our homes.

    Having the control to choose your own theme, colour palette, and complementary décor reflects the atmosphere you wish to communicate, making your home calming to live in and inviting to your guests.

    Whether you would like to become a collector or you just want to have one beautiful print in your living room, choosing original prints from an artist you like is easier than ever before.

    Reaching out to your favorite artist or photographer online is easy, saving you time and giving you the convenience of collecting from the comfort of your own home.

    It is fun and simple to establish a connection and build a relationship with an artist whose work you enjoy, and there is nothing quite like owning an original, gallery-quality art piece that can be handed down in your family for generations.

    Anyone can become a nature photography print collector, and the magic starts with your first piece.


    Collage of fine art landscape photographs by Dean McLeod Photography.
    Click the image above to discover the entire Fine Art Collection by Dean McLeod.


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    Portrait of Canadian landscape photographer Dean McLeod.

    Dean McLeod Photography fine art logo.