The 5 most common mistakes when buying art online – and how to avoid them

Many people want to buy wall art for the living room online, but at the same time feel uncertain: “Does the painting look textured in real life?”, “Is it really hand-painted or just a print?”, “Will it match my room color-wise?” The good news: most mistakes can easily be avoided. This guide helps you confidently and consciously choose modern paintings for the living room, high-quality acrylic paintings, and genuine hand-painted artworks.

Mistake No. 1 – Buying prints sold as “hand-painted”

The market is full of prints that visually imitate real hand-painted acrylic artworks. If you are not careful, instead of a modern painting for the living room you may end up with nothing more than a flat print.

Typical signs of a print:

• uniform, flat surface without real texture
• perfect symmetry and sterile transitions
• unnaturally bright colors
• extremely low price for supposedly hand-painted acrylic art

Why do prints look cheap?
They lack depth, character, and the special tactile quality of genuine modern acrylic painting. On the wall, they look like posters and fail to create any atmosphere.

How to recognize a genuine hand-painted artwork:

• close-up photos with visible brush or palette knife strokes
• texture and relief that reflect light differently
• videos shown from multiple angles
• the option for individual customization – a typical sign of real artists

Mistake No. 2 – Choosing a painting that is far too small

One of the most common mistakes when buying modern wall art for the living room : the fear of a “too large” painting leads people to choose one that is much too small.

Why small formats lose impact:

• the room “swallows” the artwork
• no focal point, no statement
• poor proportions in relation to the furniture
• little visual impact, even with modern acrylic paintings

Simple formula for the right size:
The width of the artwork should be about 60–75% of the width of the furniture it hangs above.

Practical examples:

• above a 200–240 cm sofa, 120×80 or 140×100 cm works well
• above a 120 cm sideboard, 100×70 cm is suitable
• above a 160 cm bed, 140×100 cm or panoramic formats are ideal

Mistake No. 3 – Not considering light and room colors

Even the most beautiful acrylic paintings or modern artworks for the living room can look completely different depending on the lighting.

Warm vs. cool light:

• warm light (2700–3000K): makes beige, brown, and gold tones appear softer
• cool light (4000–5000K): enhances gray and blue tones and looks more modern
• neutral white (3500–3800K): ideal for modern acrylic paintings

How to test:

• ask for photos or videos taken under different light sources
• view the artwork during the day and in the evening
• hold color samples or interior fabrics next to it

Mistake No. 4 – Choosing a random style

Many people choose a beautiful picture spontaneously — and later realize that it doesn’t fit their interior style. When it comes to modern acrylic paintings, a sense of style is essential.

What's important:

• What emotion should the picture convey? Calm, dynamism, luxury?
• Does it suit your style: Scandinavian, modern, minimalist?
• Does the picture's color scheme harmonize with the walls, furniture, or flooring?
• Does the picture act as a real focal point in the room?

Well-chosen modern artwork for the living room can completely transform the atmosphere.

Mistake No. 5 – Buying a Picture Just Because of a Discount

High-quality living room wall art is not an impulse buy.

A picture accompanies you every day – and shouldn't be chosen simply because of a discount.

Why this is important: If the picture doesn't resonate emotionally, it will become an eyesore within a few months.

Elegant luxury pictures or modern paintings for the living room only work if they have been carefully selected.

How to Choose Correctly – A Quick 5-Step Checklist

1. Define the desired mood (calm, energetic, modern, luxurious).
2. Choose the appropriate size using the 60–75% rule.
3. Check the light and color temperature in the room.
4. Look for genuine texture – this is the only way to recognize hand-painted acrylic paintings.
5. Check whether the style and colors harmonize with your living room.

Free Consultation and Picture Selection

Want to choose stylish, modern wall art for your living room?

We offer free consultations and a personalized selection from several modern acrylic paintings, tailored to your style, colors, and lighting.

Upon request, we can also create a visualization directly on your wall.