What to Hang Where: A Room-by-Room Guide to Coastal Wall Art for a Holiday Rental on the Surf Coast or Bellarine
I've spoken to a fair few holiday rental owners over the years, and the question I get asked most often isn't about print size or framing. It's "where do I even start?" You've got a beautiful coastal property, you want it to feel special, and you know art is the missing piece. But walking into an empty hallway or a bare living room wall and trying to figure out what goes where can feel overwhelming.
So here's my room-by-room guide, specifically for Surf Coast and Bellarine hosts who want their property to feel local, personal and worth every cent of the nightly rate they're charging.
The Entry or Hallway: Make a First Impression That Lasts
Guests form an opinion of your property within seconds of walking through the door. A strong piece of art in the entry sets the tone for everything. It says: this place has been thought about.
For a hallway, I'd recommend something bold and location-specific. If your property is near Anglesea, a print from Point Roadknight is perfect. My Point Roadknight Art Print II is one of my most popular prints for exactly this kind of placement. It's a shot people recognise, and guests who've been to that beach will clock it immediately. That moment of recognition is worth more than any throw pillow.
For hallway sizing, an L (59.4x84.1cm) or XL (84.1x118.9cm) works well if you've got the wall space. Narrower hallways do better with something in the M range. Check the size guide if you're unsure.
The Living Room: Go Big, Go Local
The living room is where guests spend most of their time, and it's where the main art decision matters most. A large coastal print above the sofa or on the feature wall becomes the centrepiece of the whole space. I've had customers tell me their guests won't stop talking about the print, and honestly, that's the goal. Art that starts a conversation makes a holiday feel memorable.
For Surf Coast properties, Point Addis Art Print I is my top seller and an obvious choice. I shot it from above with my drone on one of those perfect still mornings, and the result is something you don't often see of that stretch of coast. Guests from Geelong and Melbourne will almost certainly recognise it.
For the living room, I'd go XL or even EPIC (100x150cm, which is 1.5m wide) if you've got a big feature wall. A floating frame canvas is a great option here because there's no glass, so you don't get reflections from windows or lamps. It uses museum quality 400gsm Hahnemühle Daguerre canvas stretched over a solid timber frame, and it looks the part.
If your property is on the Bellarine, Barwon Heads Art Print I is a consistently strong performer and works brilliantly as a living room centrepiece.
The Bedrooms: Something Calmer, Still Personal
Bedrooms don't need to be loud, but they should still feel considered. A well-chosen coastal print above the bed gives the room a finishing touch that lifts the whole space. Guests notice these things, and it's the kind of detail that earns a five-star review.
For bedrooms, an M (42x59.4cm) or L (59.4x84.1cm) print is usually the right call. A classic framed print in black or white works really well here. Solid timber frame, archival glass, ready to hang. Clean and simple.
Pick something that connects to the location. For Surf Coast properties, Bells Beach Art Print I or one of my Torquay Art Print I options both work well in a bedroom. They're familiar without being overworked.
The Kitchen and Dining Area: Smaller Works, Big Personality
Kitchens and dining areas are often overlooked when it comes to art, but a small print in the right spot can pull a whole space together. I'd go with an S (29.7x42cm) or M print here, something that adds colour and personality without competing with cabinetry or furniture.
It's worth checking out my post on Choosing Wall Art for a Coastal Kitchen for more on placement and sizing in this space.
Take the Coast Home (Or Keep It There)
The thing I hear most from holiday rental owners is that they want the art to feel like it belongs to the place, not like it was grabbed off a shelf at a chain store. That's exactly what I'm trying to do with every print I shoot. I know these beaches. I've stood on them at sunrise, flown my drone over them in the middle of winter, and waited for the light to be exactly right. That's what you're hanging on the wall.
All prints are made to order and shipped free anywhere in Australia. FSC certified timber frames. Ready to hang straight out of the box. For a full rundown on print and frame options, head to the product guide.
And if you're weighing up which format works best for a rental property specifically, my post on Framed vs Canvas Prints for a Coastal Airbnb breaks it down in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size art should I hang in the living room of a holiday rental?
For most holiday rental living rooms, an L (59.4x84.1cm) or XL (84.1x118.9cm) print works best above a sofa or on a feature wall. If you've got a large open-plan space, the EPIC size at 100x150cm makes a real statement. Bigger art reads better in photos too, which helps your Airbnb listing stand out.
What's the best type of frame for a coastal holiday rental?
The classic framed print is my most popular option and works well in most rental settings. It's a solid timber frame with archival glass and a 10-year warranty. In living rooms with lots of windows, a floating frame canvas is a great alternative because there's no glass at all, so you get zero reflections regardless of where the light hits.
Should I use location-specific art in my holiday rental?
Yes, absolutely. Guests who've visited that beach, surfed that break, or grown up near that coastline will recognise the print on the wall and feel an immediate connection. It makes the property feel thoughtful and genuine rather than generic. Local art also photographs better in listing photos because it tells a story about the place.
Do the prints come ready to hang?
All framed prints from Local Breaks arrive ready to hang. Classic frames come with a metal hanger and steel wire attached. Floating frame canvases and shadow box frames come with D rings and a braided polymer hanging cable. Everything you need is included, and all prints are shipped free across Australia.
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