The Guest Room Is Your Secret Weapon
I'll be honest, the guest room is usually the last room people think about when it comes to wall art. It gets the hand-me-down furniture, the leftover linen, and a bare wall that's been "temporary" for three years. But here's the thing: a well-chosen print in a guest room does something really special. It makes people feel like they've arrived somewhere. Not just your spare room, but somewhere worth being.
I've had customers tell me their guests couldn't stop talking about the print above the bed. One buyer said she's "constantly getting compliments from guests" after hanging one of my coastal prints in her home. That's the power of the right piece in the right room. So let's talk about how to get it right.
Choose a Beach Your Guests Will Actually Recognise
The prints that work hardest in a guest room are the ones that spark a conversation. If your visitors are Victorians, chances are they've been to Bells Beach, the Bellarine, or somewhere along the Great Ocean Road. A print of somewhere they know, or somewhere they've always wanted to go, gives the room a whole new layer of meaning.
My Bells Beach Art Print I is a good example. It's a location almost every Australian has heard of, even if they've never surfed. It gives a guest room that feeling of being somewhere iconic without trying too hard. Same goes for the Point Addis Art Print I, which is my top-selling print for good reason. I shot it from above, and the aerial perspective gives you a sense of scale that you just don't get from ground level. It stops people in their tracks.
If your guests tend to come from up north or interstate, a Queensland print like the Rainbow Bay Art Print I can hit that same emotional note. Coolangatta, Currumbin, the Gold Coast beachfront. These are places people have holidays in, and having that on the wall brings the whole feeling back.
Size Matters More Than You Think
A small print on a big wall looks like an afterthought. In a guest room, you want something that actually fills the space and gives the room a focal point. For most standard guest bedroom walls, I'd suggest going at least a Medium (42x59.4cm) above a bedside table, or a Large (59.4x84.1cm) as a centrepiece above the bed.
If you've got a bigger wall to fill, the XL (84.1x118.9cm) makes a real statement. And if you really want to go for it, the EPIC size (100x150cm) is 1.5 metres wide and honestly looks incredible in the right space. It's a lot of print, but in the right room it becomes the whole room.
Not sure where to start? I've put together a size guide that takes the guesswork out of it.
Which Frame Type Works Best for a Guest Room
For a guest room, I usually recommend the classic frame as the go-to option. It's solid timber, uses archival glass, comes in black, white or oak, and it's the most popular option I sell for good reason. It looks clean, it's easy to hang, and it suits almost any interior style.
If the guest room gets a lot of natural light through big windows, the floating frame canvas is worth considering. There's no glass at all on a canvas, so you get zero reflections regardless of where the light hits. The canvas itself is museum quality 400gsm Hahnemühle Daguerre, and the result is that the colours in the print really come through without any glare. Customers love them for bright rooms.
For something with a bit more presence, the shadow box frame has glass that sits 20mm off the surface of the print, which gives it a subtle floating effect. It's the kind of detail guests notice without knowing exactly why the piece looks so good.
All frames are made from sustainably sourced FSC certified timber, with a 10-year warranty. I take that stuff seriously.
If you want more detail on each option, my framed vs unframed guide covers the differences clearly.
Take the Coast Home
A guest room print doesn't need to be complicated. Pick a beach your guests will know, get a size that fills the wall properly, and choose a frame that suits the room. That's genuinely it. All my prints start from $89, are printed to order in Victoria, and ship free anywhere in Australia, ready to hang straight out of the box.
Browse the full range at localbreaks.com.au, or start with the Point Addis Art Print I if you want my honest top pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size wall art should I choose for a guest bedroom?
For a wall above a bed, a Large (59.4x84.1cm) is a great starting point and works in most standard guest rooms. If you have a bigger wall or want more impact, the XL (84.1x118.9cm) is a popular choice. Use the size guide to match the print to your specific wall dimensions.
What kind of coastal wall art works best in a guest room?
Prints of recognisable beaches work well because guests connect with them straight away. A beach your visitors have been to, or always wanted to visit, gives the room personality and makes people feel genuinely welcomed. Location-specific art from real Australian beaches tends to land better than generic coastal imagery.
Is a framed print or canvas better for a guest bedroom?
Both work well depending on the room. A classic framed print suits most guest rooms and is the most popular option. If the room gets a lot of natural light and you want to avoid reflections, a floating frame canvas is worth considering since it has no glass at all. Check out the framed vs unframed guide for a clear breakdown.
Do the prints come ready to hang?
Yes, all framed options come ready to hang straight out of the box, with the appropriate hardware already attached. They're printed and shipped from Victoria with free Australia-wide shipping, so there's nothing extra to sort out when they arrive.
Got a question about a specific print or size? Feel free to reach out. I'm always happy to help you find the right fit.
