Picking Wall Art for a Holiday Rental Is Harder Than It Sounds
I've had a fair few conversations with holiday rental owners over the past couple of years, and the same thing comes up every time. They want art that feels like it belongs to the place. Not something generic they grabbed off a shelf at a homewares chain. Something that actually makes a guest stop and think, "yeah, this is Lorne" or "this is exactly what Point Lonsdale looks like at low tide."
That instinct is right. The best holiday rental wall art does something a throw cushion never can. It connects guests to the location they chose to visit. And when you get it right, it's one of those things guests mention in reviews without even realising it.
This guide is for rental owners on the Surf Coast, Bellarine Peninsula and a few other spots I cover. I'll walk you through how to think about art room by room, and point you toward some prints that have worked really well for other rental owners.
Start With the Location, Not the Colour Palette
The single best thing you can do for a holiday rental is choose art that matches where the property actually is. A guest who books a house in Torquay doesn't want a generic beach print that could be anywhere. They want to see Torquay. Or Bells Beach. Or Jan Juc. Something they recognise.
This is exactly what Terry from Point Lonsdale did when he was fitting out his short-stay rental. He searched "Point Lonsdale art" and found prints that matched the actual location. His guests arrive already knowing where they are, and the art reinforces that feeling the whole stay.
For Surf Coast rentals, Torquay Art Print I and Bells Beach Art Print I are two of the strongest performing prints in that region. They're immediately recognisable to anyone who's spent time along that stretch of coast.
Room by Room: What Works Where
Living Room
This is your main event. Go bigger than you think. A large or XL print (59.4x84.1cm or 84.1x118.9cm) on the main feature wall gives guests something to actually stop and look at. A floating frame canvas works well here because there's no glass to deal with, no reflections from windows, and the colour really pops. Customers consistently tell me prints in the living room become "the centrepiece of the space" and that guests comment on them constantly.
For Bellarine rentals, Point Lonsdale Art Print IV is one of my most popular prints in that area and works perfectly as a living room feature piece.
Bedrooms
Bedrooms suit a medium print (42x59.4cm) above the bed or a smaller piece on a side wall. The mood is slightly quieter here but you still want something real and local. I've had rental owners mix prints across bedrooms so each room has a slightly different location or perspective. It gives the property a sense of thought and care that guests pick up on.
Hallway and Entry
Hallways are where first impressions happen. A vertical format print in a classic frame with black or white timber works well in a narrow entry. It sets the tone immediately. Several customers have told me their hallway prints are the first thing people comment on when they walk through the door.
Kitchen and Dining
Keep it simple here. One well-chosen print rather than a cluster. A medium or large piece with a clean frame that doesn't compete with everything else going on in a busy kitchen. If your rental is in a coastal town, lean into that. A shot of the local beach or headland ties the whole space together.
Framing for a Holiday Rental
For rental properties, I'd point most owners toward either a classic framed print or a floating frame canvas. Both come in black, white and oak, both use solid FSC certified timber frames, and both come with a 10-year warranty. The floating frame canvas uses museum quality 400gsm Hahnemühle Daguerre stretched canvas with no glass, which is genuinely great in rooms that get a lot of natural light. No reflections, no glare.
If you want to go a step up for a master bedroom or a property in the premium end of the market, the premium shadow box frame is worth considering. It uses 308gsm Hahnemühle Rag Mount Smooth paper, 11-colour archival inks, and Tru Vue Museum Glass with 99% UV protection. It looks like something from a proper gallery. For holiday rental wall art in Australia that you want to impress guests with, this is a strong option.
You can compare all the options on the product guide page.
Take the Coast Home (Well, Keep It There)
Every print on Local Breaks is shot by me personally at the actual location. Not stock. Not a library file from somewhere else. I've stood at Point Addis, Bells Beach, Point Lonsdale and dozens of other spots with my camera and sometimes my drone, waiting for the right light. That's what you're putting on your rental's wall.
Prints start from $89, there's free shipping anywhere in Australia, and everything is printed and shipped from Victoria. No pickup needed, no international shipping. Just order and it arrives ready to hang.
If you're fitting out an Airbnb or holiday rental on the Surf Coast or Bellarine, browse the full range and find something that actually belongs on your wall: Point Addis Art Print I is my top-selling print and a favourite for Anglesea-area rentals.
For more on sizing art for a rental property, the post How to Choose the Right Size Wall Art for an Airbnb or Holiday Rental (Without Getting It Wrong) covers it in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What wall art works best for a holiday rental or Airbnb in Australia?
Location-specific art works best for holiday rental wall art in Australia because guests want to feel connected to the place they've chosen to visit. A print of the actual beach, headland or coastal town your rental is in will resonate far more than a generic ocean image. Choose a size that suits the room and a frame style that complements the interior without competing with it.
What size wall art should I choose for a holiday rental living room?
For a holiday rental living room, a large print (59.4x84.1cm) or XL print (84.1x118.9cm) on the main feature wall makes the most impact. Going too small is the most common mistake. A properly sized piece feels considered and intentional, which guests notice. Check the size guide if you're unsure what works for your specific wall dimensions.
Should I use framed prints or canvas prints in a holiday rental?
Both work well in holiday rentals. A floating frame canvas is a great choice for living areas and rooms with lots of natural light because there's no glass and no reflections. A classic framed print suits hallways, bedrooms and spaces where you want a slightly more traditional look. Both options at Local Breaks use solid FSC certified timber frames and come with a 10-year warranty.
Can I order wall art for multiple rooms in one go for an Airbnb fitout?
Yes, and a lot of rental owners do exactly this. Ordering several prints at once to fit out a whole property is common, and each print is made to order and shipped from Victoria
