How to Pair Wall Colors With Artwork

Find the color of your walls on the color wheel. Look at the colors near that color on the color wheel. If you placed all these colors together in one room, you would be decorating with an analogous color scheme. Analogous color schemes are known to be low-drama and calming. Art that uses a predominance of these colors will work with your walls to create a peaceful environment.

Find again the color of your walls on the color wheel. The color opposite of this color is call the complement. This color is high contrast — it is known to be the opposite color of your walls, as black is to white. This color will draw the attention of anyone in the room just by being the opposite of your wall color. If you find a painting predominantly this color, placing it on your walls will create a dramatic and dynamic color scheme.

Choose neutrals, when in doubt. Black and white photography and paintings in neutral colors like beige, gray, black and white are almost always safe. Black and white photography also has a certain class that many people find attractive. If you'd like to avoid hanging random black and white photographs on your wall, take some black and white photos of your own and have them professionally framed. This will add a personal touch.

Bring swatches of your wall paint with you when you're going to buy wall art. This will allow you to match the art to the actual color of your walls.