Coastal Prints Australia: How to Choose Wall Art That Fits Your Home and Tells a Real Story
I get a lot of messages from people who say something like: "I know I want a coastal print, I just don't know which one." And I get it. There's no shortage of ocean photography out there. The tricky part isn't finding a print. It's finding one that actually means something to you, and that looks right in your space.
I'm Sam, and I shoot every photo on this site myself. These are real Australian beaches I've driven to, walked on, and in a lot of cases, flown my drone over at sunrise. No stock imagery, no generic waves. Just places I know and love.
Here's how I'd think about choosing coastal wall art for your home.
Start with the story, not the colour palette
The prints that people love most aren't the ones they chose because they matched a cushion. They're the ones they chose because the location meant something. A customer called Tom bought a Point Addis Art Print I while living in Canada. He just wanted his favourite beach on his wall. That's it. And he told me it brings him happiness every single day.
So before you think about frame colour or size, ask yourself: is there a beach that you keep going back to? A stretch of coast that you could describe in detail without even closing your eyes? That's your print.
My coverage spans the Surf Coast, Bellarine Peninsula, Great Ocean Road, Gold Coast and Port Douglas. If one of those areas is yours, there's a good chance I've shot it.
Match the size to the wall, not to your gut feeling
Most people go too small. I've seen it happen a lot. Someone picks a medium print for a big living room wall and it just gets lost. As a rough guide:
- A bedside table or small hallway shelf suits an XS (21x29.7cm) or S (29.7x42cm)
- A feature wall in a bedroom or study works well with an L (59.4x84.1cm) or XL (84.1x118.9cm)
- A large living room wall can take an EPIC (100x150cm), which is 1.5 metres wide and genuinely stops people in their tracks
If you're unsure, grab a tape measure and mark out the dimensions on your wall with masking tape before you order. It sounds fiddly but it takes two minutes and saves a lot of second-guessing. You can also check out my size guide for more help.
Think about where the print is going to live
This matters more than people realise, especially when it comes to frames.
If the wall gets a lot of natural light, a floating frame canvas is worth considering. It uses a museum quality 400gsm Hahnemuhle Daguerre stretched canvas with no glass at all, so there are zero reflections. The colours come through clean and clear no matter what time of day it is.
If you want something with a bit more of a premium gallery feel, the shadow box frame is worth a look. The glass sits 20mm off the print, which creates a subtle floating effect that makes the image feel like it has depth. The premium version uses Tru Vue Museum Glass with 99% UV protection and virtually no glare. It's the kind of thing that draws people in for a closer look.
All frames are made from solid FSC certified timber and come with a 10-year warranty. You can read through all the details on my product guide.
Choose a location that has real meaning
The customers who are happiest with their prints are the ones who bought art of a place they genuinely love. A couple who spend every summer in Wye River. Someone who grew up near Bells Beach. A family who honeymoons in Port Douglas every few years.
That's who I make these for. Not people looking to fill a blank wall with something inoffensive. People who want to look up from the couch and feel something.
Some of my most popular coastal prints from around Australia include the Bells Beach Art Print I, the Rainbow Bay Art Print I from the Gold Coast, and the Point Roadknight Art Print II from Anglesea, which has been one of my top sellers since I launched it. If you're after something from further north, my Port Douglas Art Print I and its variants have been selling really well too.
If you want to dig deeper into how to choose between print types, this post on framed vs unframed prints covers it well. And if you're thinking about a gallery wall, my room-by-room gallery wall guide is a good place to start.
Take the coast home
Every print I sell starts from $89 for an unframed print on 250gsm premium matte art paper. Framed options go up from there depending on size and finish. Everything is printed to order here in Victoria, and shipping is free anywhere in Australia.
If you know your location, browse the prints and go with your gut. The right one will be obvious.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size coastal print should I get for a living room?
For most living rooms, an L (59.4x84.1cm) or XL (84.1x118.9cm) works best as a feature piece. If you have a large wall and want real impact, the EPIC size at 100x150cm is 1.5 metres wide and works as a proper centrepiece. Use masking tape on the wall to map out the dimensions before you commit.
What is the best frame type for coastal wall art in a bright room?
A floating frame canvas is the best choice for bright rooms because it has no glass, which means no reflections at any time of day. It uses a museum quality 400gsm Hahnemuhle Daguerre canvas and the colours come through cleanly in direct light. If you prefer a framed print with glass, the premium shadow box with Tru Vue Museum Glass reduces glare by virtually eliminating reflections.
Do you ship coastal prints across Australia?
Yes, I offer free shipping Australia-wide on every order. All prints are printed to order and shipped from Victoria. I don't offer international shipping or local pickup at this stage.
How do I choose between coastal prints if I like more than one location?
Go with the place that means the most to you personally, not just the one that looks the prettiest. The prints that people are happiest with are almost always the ones tied to a real memory or a place they genuinely love. If you're torn between two locations, consider building a gallery wall with prints from both.
