Large Wall Art Australia: How to Choose a Statement Coastal Print That Works in Any Room

I get asked this a lot. Someone has a big blank wall, they know they want something coastal, and they have no idea where to start. Size, frame, location, orientation. It can feel overwhelming when you just want something that looks great on the wall.

So here is what I know from shooting and selling large wall art across Australia, and from the people who actually buy these prints and hang them in their homes. This is the practical stuff that actually matters.

Why Going Large Actually Works

Most people play it too safe with wall art. They buy something that ends up looking like a postage stamp on a big wall and wonder why the room still feels unfinished. Large wall art changes a room in a way that smaller pieces simply can not.

A print at L size (59.4x84.1cm) or XL size (84.1x118.9cm) becomes the thing people notice when they walk into a room. Customers regularly tell me their print has become the centrepiece of their living area, or that guests always stop and ask about it. That does not happen with a small print tucked in a corner.

If you are decorating a coastal home, a holiday rental, or just a living room that needs a focal point, go bigger than you think you need. You will not regret it.

How to Choose the Right Size for Your Wall

A rough rule I always share: your print should fill roughly two thirds of the wall width above a piece of furniture. So above a three-seat couch, you are looking at an L or XL. Above a desk or bedhead, an M or L usually works well.

For a truly statement piece, my EPIC size (100x150cm, that is 1.5 metres wide) is hard to beat. It is genuinely large in person and works beautifully in open-plan living areas, hallways with height, and beach houses with big walls that need something to anchor the space.

I have a full size guide on the site if you want to get more precise, and it is worth checking before you order.

Which Frame Works Best for a Large Coastal Print?

For large prints, I always point people toward the floating frame canvas or the shadow box options. Here is why.

The floating frame canvas uses a museum quality 400gsm Hahnemühle Daguerre stretched canvas with no glass at all. That means zero reflections, which is a big deal in bright rooms or spaces with lots of natural light. The canvas texture also adds a depth that a flat print behind glass does not have. It looks incredible at XL and EPIC sizes.

The shadow box frame is another strong choice for large prints. The glass sits 20mm off the print, which creates a subtle floating effect and gives the whole piece a sense of dimension. The standard shadow box uses 2mm clear glass and 270gsm fine art paper with giclee archival inks. If you want to go all out, the premium shadow box uses 308gsm Hahnemühle Rag Mount Smooth paper, 11-colour giclee archival inks, and Tru Vue Museum Glass with 99% UV protection and virtually no glare at all. That is the one for a special wall in a special room.

For a straightforward look that still holds its own, the classic frame in black, white or oak is a solid option too, particularly at M and L sizes.

Not sure which to pick? This post breaks it down well: Floating Frame Canvas vs Framed Print: Which Is Right for Your Coastal Wall Art?

Location Matters More Than You Think

The prints that get the most love are the ones that mean something to the person looking at them. A print of your favourite beach, the town where you got married, the stretch of coast you drove on your honeymoon, those things hit differently than a generic ocean shot.

My top selling print right now is the Point Addis Art Print I, and I genuinely think it is because Point Addis is one of those places that gets under your skin. I shot it from the air on a still morning and the colours of the water came out exactly as I remembered them. People who have been there recognise it immediately.

The Bells Beach Art Print I is another one that never stops selling, and for good reason. Bells is iconic. Having it on your wall at XL or EPIC size is something else entirely.

If you want help thinking through which location to go with, this post is worth a read: Beach Prints Australia: How to Choose Authentic Coastal Photography That Means Something

Bring a Favourite Place Home

Every print I sell is a real place I have actually been to and photographed myself. No stock imagery, no generic coastline. If you have ever stood at Point Addis or driven the Great Ocean Road and wished you could keep that feeling, a large print on your wall is the closest thing to it.

All prints are made to order, printed and shipped from Victoria, with free shipping anywhere in Australia. Every frame is made from FSC certified sustainable timber. They arrive ready to hang.

Browse the full range and find your stretch of coast at localbreaks.com.au.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size large wall art should I choose for a living room?

For most living rooms, an L (59.4x84.1cm) or XL (84.1x118.9cm) print works best as a statement piece above a couch or fireplace. If you have a large open-plan space or a wide feature wall, the EPIC size at 100x150cm (1.5 metres wide) makes a genuinely impressive centrepiece. A good rule of thumb is to aim for a print that covers roughly two thirds of the width of the furniture below it.

What is the best frame type for large coastal wall art?

For large prints, a floating frame canvas or shadow box frame tends to work really well. The floating frame canvas has no glass, so there are no reflections in bright rooms, and the canvas texture adds real depth at larger sizes. The shadow box frame creates a floating effect by holding the glass 20mm away from the print, which gives the whole piece more dimension on the wall.

Does large wall art work in smaller rooms?

Yes, and often better than people expect. A single large print in a smaller room creates a clear focal point and makes the space feel more considered and intentional. The key is to go with one statement piece rather than clustering several smaller ones, and to choose a size that fits the wall without crowding it. An M (42x59.4cm) or L (59.4x84.1cm) can read as a bold statement in a bedroom or hallway without overwhelming the space.

Is large coastal wall art good for holiday rentals?

Large location-specific prints are one of the best investments you can make for a holiday rental. Guests respond to art that connects to where they are, and a well-chosen print of a local beach or landmark gives the whole property more character. Many holiday rental owners choose an L or XL print as the hero piece for the main living area, and guests regularly mention the artwork in their reviews.