Gallery wall arrangement of several framed art prints
A gallery wall arrangement of framed prints

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How Do I Choose Two Art Prints That Look Good Together?

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Choose two art prints that look good together by connecting colour, subject or style. Compare sizes, frames and spacing, with real Westloft pairing ideas and a simple way to test your arrangement before hanging.

What makes two art prints look good together?

Two art prints look good together when they have at least one convincing visual connection—colour, subject, line, mood or framing—without being so similar that one feels redundant. Start with a common thread, then allow a difference. Two botanical drawings may share their subject but vary in shape; an abstract and a still life might share a deep green and warm ochre. The aim is a conversation, not a perfect match.

Look at the prints side by side at approximately the size you intend to buy. Squint at the pair: does one dominate because it is much darker, brighter or busier? That may be desirable if you want a clear lead image, but it should feel deliberate. If both demand equal attention in entirely different ways, try replacing one with a quieter composition.

Consider where the pair will hang. Above a sideboard, two related prints can give a long piece of furniture a gentle rhythm. In a hallway, a vertical pair can lead the eye along the wall. Above a bed or sofa, the combined width matters more than whether the individual pictures are identical.

A useful first test is to name the connection in one sentence: 'both have delicate botanical lines', or 'one repeats the mustard in the other'. If you cannot identify any relationship, the combination may still work, but it will depend more heavily on careful scale, spacing and frames.

Botanical wall art prints
Botanical artwork displayed in an interior

Do the colours or subjects have to match?

Neither needs to match exactly. Matching subjects are an easy route—two leaves, two landscapes, two birds—but the results can feel a little predictable if every element is repeated. A more collected pairing might place a graphic plant beside a looser botanical drawing, or a figurative illustration beside an abstract that picks up one of its colours.

Try choosing a shared palette of two or three tones. For example, a muted green print and a mostly neutral print with a small green accent can relate without becoming a set. Equally, complementary contrasts can be effective: warm ochre against cool blue, or a dark image beside a pale one. Compare the proportion of each colour, not merely whether the same colour appears somewhere.

Pay attention to the marks and negative space. Two works with very fine lines and generous margins may feel related even when their subjects differ. A densely detailed image can also sit beside a simpler one if the frame size and colour balance give each enough room. This is especially useful when mixing a contemporary abstract with a vintage-inspired illustration.

Browse botanical wall art and abstract prints separately, then compare candidates across the collections. Buying from one category is not a requirement for a coherent pair; a deliberate contrast can be the most interesting part.

Framed abstract wall art displayed in a living room
Contemporary abstract artwork in a living room

How should I balance sizes, shapes and the gap between prints?

Matching outside frame dimensions is the simplest option for a tidy pair. Two portrait prints of the same height form a clear horizontal arrangement. However, different dimensions can work beautifully: align the top edges for a structured look, or arrange one larger work beside a smaller companion for a more informal composition. What matters is the overall shape and the way the group relates to the furniture below.

Measure the finished framed dimensions rather than the print alone. Suppose you choose two frames each 50 cm wide with an 8 cm gap. Together they occupy 108 cm. Above a hypothetical 180 cm-wide sofa, that is 60% of the sofa width—a reasonable starting point for testing the composition, not a universal rule. If the group looks small, try larger frames rather than simply increasing the gap.

For medium-sized frames, an initial gap of around 5–10 cm often looks intentional. A very narrow gap can make two separate images read as one; an excessively wide gap can make them seem unrelated. A tall ceiling, a narrow alcove or an unusually broad sideboard may justify different spacing. Keep the pair centred over the furniture, not necessarily over the whole wall.

For worked measurements and the difference between print and frame dimensions, see What Size Wall Art Do I Need for My Room?. Paper templates are more reliable than judging sizes from a product thumbnail.

Living room with a couch, coffee table, and abstract art on the wall.
Abstract artwork displayed above a sofa in a living room

Which Westloft art prints could I pair?

For a quiet botanical combination, consider Fern Leaf alongside Eucalyptus. Their related plant subjects give the pairing a clear starting point. Compare the actual product images, background tones and available framed dimensions before ordering; botanical subject matter alone does not guarantee that every colourway will match.

A bolder botanical option is Monstera Leaf with Palm Leaf. Their recognisable foliage offers a shared theme, while differences in leaf structure help each picture retain its identity. This kind of pair can sit comfortably with timber furniture and textured fabrics without turning the entire room into a plant motif.

For a contemporary arrangement, compare Grey & Mustard with Minimal Root. The first gives you a clear colour reference; the second is worth assessing for its relative simplicity and visual weight. Place product previews side by side and judge whether one can lead while the other offers a quieter counterpoint.

An intentionally eclectic pairing could bring together Pomegranate Fruit and Bird of Paradise. These are different subjects, so test them carefully for compatible colour and scale. The suggestions are starting points, not pre-matched sets: select the sizes and frames that suit your own wall.

Framed artwork in a living-room interior

Should I use identical frames for both prints?

Matching frames are the easiest way to connect different subjects. Two slim black frames can make a botanical and an abstract feel like a considered pair, while matching natural wood can soften stronger imagery. If the pictures have different proportions or very different palettes, a repeated frame profile can provide the necessary order.

Mixed frames can also work, particularly in a room with older furniture and collected objects. Try keeping one feature consistent: similar frame depth, related wood tones, or an equal amount of visual border around the images. Black and walnut can look deliberate together; two wildly different ornate profiles may compete unless the artwork itself is quiet.

Check whether each chosen product is available in the intended frame finish and size. A print-only measurement is not always the finished framed measurement. The effect of a mount also changes the visual relationship, especially if one picture has a broad white border and the other runs close to the frame edge. Compare actual product specifications before assuming the pair will align.

If the frames differ, give the images a second point of connection through colour, subject or spacing. For a more detailed comparison of frame finishes and proportions, read How do I choose the best frames for art prints?. A pair should feel composed rather than assembled from whatever was left in the cupboard.

Living room with a brown sofa, framed artwork on the wall, and a lamp.
Framed artwork above a brown sofa in a living room

How can I test a pairing before I hang it?

Make a simple trial layout before committing to holes in the wall. Save the two product images, place them side by side at similar relative sizes and compare the colour balance. Then cut paper rectangles to the finished outer dimensions of the frames. Tape the templates in place with a method suitable for your wall finish and photograph the result from the doorway.

Stand back and check three things: whether the pair feels wide enough for the furniture, whether the gap looks deliberate, and whether one image overpowers the other. If the balance is off, change only one variable at a time. Move the frames closer, try a different size, or replace the busier print. Changing everything at once makes it difficult to see what improved the arrangement.

Once the layout feels right, mark the hanging points according to the hardware on the actual frames. Check wall construction, the fully framed weight and any concealed cables or pipes before drilling. Use suitable fixings for the wall and load; adhesive strips or improvised hooks are not a universal substitute, particularly above a bed or seating area.

If you want to expand the pair into a larger collection later, keep the original two as the anchor. How to Hang a Gallery Wall: Layout, Spacing & Fixings covers planning a larger arrangement. The best pairing does not have to be symmetrical or expensive: it needs a recognisable relationship, good proportions and enough space for both pictures to be seen.

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Written by

Hannah Fraser

Hannah Fraser writes for Westloft on interiors, art, vintage furniture and seasonal living. Her features focus on practical decorating ideas, collected homes and the ways artwork and objects shape how a room feels.

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