Hi, I’m Sam — a professional pet photographer based in Saguenay, Québec. I specialize in creating custom artwork that captures the soul of your dog and transforms it into something you’ll be proud to hang on your walls. With years of experience photographing animals and designing one-of-a-kind art for homes across Quebec and Canada, I’m here to make the process easy, personal, and unforgettable.
If we’re working together, I’ll guide you to choosing the perfect artwork for your home.
But if you’re figuring it out on your own, it can get overwhelming fast
What size fits best in your space? What colours will complement the room? What style? Would three smaller pieces look just as good as one big piece? How about seven little pieces? Is that too many? Is there such a thing as too many?
If you’re staring at a blank wall wondering what the heck to do next, you’re not alone. This guide will help you choose artwork that’s not just beautiful, but deeply meaningful — and designed to elevate your home every single day.
1. Why the Right Artwork Matters More Than You Think
The art in your home shapes the way you feel — in small ways, and in huge ones. Great artwork doesn’t just fill space. It anchors it. It adds soul.
The art you display in your home has the power to:
- Change your mood (for better or worse)
- Promote positive energy in the space
- Reflect who you are
- Improve self-worth
- Validate what’s important to you
- Make a space feel truly yours
- Remind you what matters — every time you walk past it
You want your home to be a welcoming place that brings you comfort and positivity. The art you choose has a huge impact on that.
This isn’t about decorating. It’s about surrounding yourself with things that lift you up.
When the subject of that art is your pet who you love with your whole heart — the one who grounds you, makes you laugh, and melts the stress of the day away — the impact goes way beyond aesthetic.
If you’re curious about why pet artwork hits so deeply, I’ve written more about that here: Why You Need Wall Art of Your Pet.
2. The Style of the Room is the Foundation
Before you choose your wall art, think about in which room you’ll display it. What’s already happening in that room — furniture, colour palette, natural light? What kind of feeling do you want the space to evoke?
If you’re choosing art for your cottage on the lake, chances are you want to create a feeling of relaxation or cheerful serenity. A minimalist, abstract piece would be too severe and stark in a space like that. Instead, a natural image with organic colours that brings the outdoors in would make your cottage sing.
You want to select wall art that matches the style of your space, so it feels cohesive and refined. The art you choose should reflect and enhance that aesthetic — not compete with it.
Open Concept Spaces
If your home is open concept — where everything can be seen from everywhere — the artwork needs to hold up from all angles. This is where consistency in tone, scale, and framing style really matters.
Is a Large Piece or a Gallery Wall Best?
Finally, do you want one bold, statement piece or a gallery wall with a more layered story? One large statement piece is always striking and impressive. Large-scale art creates a focal point and works in almost any space. Especially in smaller rooms, as it can make the space feel larger.
A gallery wall tells more of a story and can be just as impactful — but only if the space can handle the visual complexity. If the space has competing visual elements, like a wall full of bookshelves, adding a Gallery Wall can feel hectic and overwhelming. Gallery Walls also require more design work because, when done wrong, they can feel cluttered.
3. Choosing the Right Size
Let’s get one thing clear: size matters.
Too small, and your art gets swallowed by the room. Too big, and it can feel cramped.
Start by deciding where the piece will hang. That one decision will do most of the work for you.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
- Oversized art makes a bold, luxurious statement. It’s perfect over a bed, sofa, or dining area. The details shine and the emotion lands. (See my “Impact” size below)
- Large artwork works well as a standalone or anchor piece. It can be propped on a mantle or used as the base for a future gallery wall. (See my “Grand” size below)
- Medium pieces are flexible. They’re great in trios, paired, or in smaller rooms like entryways or bathrooms. (See my “Standard” size below)
- Small artwork is best in clusters. These fill out gallery walls or smaller nooks where big pieces would feel heavy. (See my “Mini” size below)
As a general rule, your art should span about two-thirds to three-quarters of the furniture it’s above. And if you’re going for the oversized look? Lean in — bigger is almost always better. And it’s very rare to find art that is too big for a space.
When you work with me to create custom dog art, you’ll send me photos of your actual space. I’ll use those to create to-scale mockups, so you can see exactly how the art will look — before anything gets printed.
4. Don’t Forget About Transitional Spaces
Most people’s first thought is to hang artwork above furniture like beds or sofas — and those are great spots. But the in-between areas of your home are often very impactful
Think about:
- Entryways (the first thing you see when you come home)
- Hallways
- Staircases
- Corners that feel like they’re missing something
A long, vertical portrait at the top of the stairs or a panoramic scene in a hallway can completely transform the space. These are the areas you walk through every day — and the perfect spots to reconnect with what matters.
5. Making Sure the Colours Work
This one’s a bit trickier because the possibilities are so varied… Having a bit of an artistic eye will help you here.
Monochromatic
Some people love a monochromatic approach, where the tones and hues of the space are carried through the art and the furniture. Taking this approach often results in more calm and coherent experience for those in the room. This style is classic, and has recently re-gained popularity with the colour drenching trend.
Complementary
The opposite approach also works: Choose art with colours that are complementary to the colours in your space. Complementary colours are opposite each other on the colour wheel, and pairing them together will make each one more vibrant. This will add contract and “pop” to the space. Complementary colours can make rooms feel more energetic and vibrant, but they can also be harmonious.
Accent Colours
If you have neutral walls throughout your home, pick up on your space’s accent colours. These are the small-but-mighty tones that add personality — the throw pillows, that bold vase, your dog’s emerald green collar. Use your artwork to echo those tones and tie the space together.
If you work with me, we’ll design your session with colours in mind. Because we plan everything in advance, we will choose a location or time of year to complement your colour palette. Want warm tones? We’ll shoot in the fall. Prefer something soft and neutral? A winter scene or sandy shoreline might be perfect. If you’re dreaming of something more controlled, my studio setup has backdrop options to match nearly any space.
6. Consider the Lighting
If your chosen wall is near a window or light fixture, some finishes will experience glare.
Glossy or glass-covered pieces are often the most vibrant, but they can catch glare and make it hard to see the image clearly from certain angles at certain times of the day. If that bothers you, I may recommend these non-reflective options:
- Fine art paper with a soft matte texture
- Museum-quality anti-reflective glass, or no glass at all
- Textured canvas with a satin finish
IMPORTANT NOTE: It is never recommended to display art in areas that get direct sun. No matter the quality of the artwork, the sun will damage the artwork.
7. Choosing Your Artwork Materials and Presentation
The materials you choose — both the print surface and the frame — will shape how your artwork looks, feels, and fits into your space. When choosing the materials, you need to consider the piece of art itself, as well as the room it will be displayed in.
Print Surfaces
- Fine Art Paper – Soft, tactile, and timeless. Beautiful in classic or heirloom-style presentations.
- PROS: Matte texture is non-reflective. The paper feels rich and luxurious. The blacks in the image are typically very deep and the colours are vibrant.
- CONS: It is more delicate and susceptible to scratches that other options. Images printed on Fine Art Papers with a significant textures might be slightly less sharp.
- Canvas – Organic and warm, with a subtle texture that works in almost any space.
- PROS: Matte texture is typically non-reflective, unless a shiny coating is applied. It’s a classic and timeless style.
- CONS: Due to the texture of the surface, inks spread between the weave of the canvas, leading to less sharp images. It’s very difficult to find good-quality canvases these days (Mine come from Italy and are only available to professional photographers).
- Metal – Sleek, vibrant, and striking. Most well-adapted to modern and contemporary artwork and homes. But they can work well in most styles, depending on whether you frame it or display it unframed.
- PROS: Super sharp, lots of contrast and vibrant colours. The one I offer is water and scratch-resistant, which is perfect for high-traffic areas.
- CONS: Very reflective, so consider where you’re displaying it.
Frame Styles
- Simple Black, White or Wood Frames – Classic, versatile, and work beautifully in almost any artwork and space. Wood frames add warmth and texture
- Ornate or Embellished Frames – Best in traditional or vintage-inspired spaces.
- Floating Frames – A subtle contemporary detail that gives canvas or metal pieces a refined finish.
- Frameless or Acrylic Mounts – Gallery-style, sleek, and ready-to-hang with no visible frame.
Did this help?
I hope these tips helped you feel more confident about choosing the right artwork for your home. It’s a lot to think about — but when it all comes together, it’s so worth it.
And if you’d rather not figure it all out on your own, I’d love to help.
Want me to turn your dog’s story into custom art?
I’ll take care of everything — from capturing breathtaking portraits to designing artwork that’s made to fit your space and style perfectly. Whether you’re in Quebec or across Canada, I’ll help you celebrate your bond with your dog in a way that’s meaningful, beautiful, and built to last.
Contact me today and let’s create something you’ll love forever.
