Small groups of clustered artwork have been the big trend for a while now, but nothing anchors a room like a huge painting or photograph. Behind a sofa, above a credenza, and even in a small space, large-scale art has a large-scale impact. If you're worried about affordability, there are ways to make your own art. When Arthur (photo #2) needed an oversized piece for his dining room, he splatter painted a canvas himself. For inspiration and other ideas, click through the photos above and the links below...
FIRST ROW
• 1 Santa Monica Residence by Kelly Wearstler
• 2 Arthur's Long-Distance Home
• 3 Minneapolis Designer's Loft from LoftLife
• 4 Shannon and Emmet's Factory to Family
• 5 London Townhouse by Suzy Hoodless
SECOND ROW
• 6 Ren Hui Painting at Pagoda Red
• 7 AT Book Alert: Update on Dana
• 8 Tanis and Terry's Workman's Cottage
• 9 Paola and John's Converted Switch House
• 10 Pairings: Antique Artwork with Modern Furnishings
BIG ART ON A BUDGET
• Large-Scale Artwork on a Budget
• How To: Make Fabric Art
• Fabric Wall Art Kits from Textile Arts
• Wallpaper We'd Frame
• The Rasterbator: Huge DIY Artwork
Must-See Small Cool Homes: Week Two
Beth's Romantic & Retro Residence
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Shaw's Original Fir...
How to Cook Moist & Tender Chicken Breasts Every Time
How To Cook Tender, Chewy Wheat Berries on the Stovetop
I love big art! I think that big pieces make a small apartment feel more spacious, and really hold your attention in a way that small ones can't.
Plus I’ve noticed that a lot of people don’t understand scale, and try to get away with hanging one or two tiny 8x10 frames on a huge wall and call it good. Even a beautiful piece is ruined when it’s in an overwhelming context like that.
Large pieces are sort of like red lipstick and high heels on a woman – they say, “I have confidence, and you’re going to pay attention to me.”
I love big art. I have a 700 sf apartment, and managed to hang a 4 foot by 7 foot piece in the living area. It is by far my biggest purchase to date, and I love it. It is THE focal point of my living space.
kimmiller -- you're right about having to love a large piece -- but I think that's a plus. That way you don't end up settling for a space filler, and are motivated to really search for "the one" so to speak. :)
I actually don't think you need to love it. Don't get me wrong, finding "the one" after searching is satisfying and absolutely a huge plus. But I find a lot of large-scale art, especially if you're going to be creating it yourself, is more about setting a tone. If it's big enough and on the low-key side, it's almost like paint or wallpaper, particularly if you live in an apt where the landlord frowns upon accent walls.
I make my own art constantly and the results are never masterpieces, but usually they achieve the look (color/feel/unity) that I was going for.
(PS: AT, thanks for giving Arthur a cameo - I forgot how heated that post was! Love the passion here.)
I LOVE this rug. Does anyone have any idea where it's from?
Oh I agree - I have a 2-story entry I am dying to find an affordable, eye-catching piece of art for....maybe 2! I have to "settle" for something, but may have to wait a while.