Which Music Art Goes in Which Room (A Simple Guide)
You wouldn't put the same art in your bedroom and your bathroom, right?
Same goes for music posters. Different rooms have different vibes and different audiences.
Here's what works where.
Living Room
What works: Songs everyone knows, upbeat vibes, conversation starters
What doesn't: Super personal deep cuts, sad breakup songs, anything too intimate
Good picks:
- Classic hits everyone recognizes
- Vinyl-style posters of iconic albums
- Upbeat songs that match your entertaining vibe
- Gallery walls showing your music taste without being too personal
Living room is semi-public space. Guests will see this. Pick songs that represent you but also work as general decor.
Think "songs I'd play at a dinner party" not "songs I cry to alone."
Bedroom
What works: Personal favorites, romantic songs, chill vibes, whatever YOU want
What doesn't: Really doesn't matter, it's your room
Good picks:
- Your couple's song above the bed
- Songs that calm you down
- Lyrics that inspire you to get up in the morning
- That one song only you get
This is your private space. Go as personal or as weird as you want.
Nobody else has to understand why you have a poster of that random B-side from 2007. It's YOUR room.
Nursery/Kids Room
What works: Sweet songs, lullabies, fun music, songs about childhood
What doesn't: Anything with curse words, dark themes, or adult content (obviously)
Good picks:
- Baby's birth song
- Lullabies you actually sing
- Disney songs they love
- Upbeat songs about being a kid
Soft colors work better than bold. Keep it age-appropriate but not boring.
Kids will stare at this while falling asleep. Make it something peaceful.
Home Office
What works: Motivational songs, focus music, creative inspiration
What doesn't: Party anthems, super chill music that makes you sleepy, distracting designs
Good picks:
- Songs about working hard or chasing dreams
- Music you listen to while working
- Instrumental pieces
- Lyrics that push you forward
This space is about productivity. Pick songs that energize you or help you focus.
Or go minimal with clean typography designs that don't distract.
Kitchen/Dining Room
What works: Upbeat food songs, family-friendly hits, comfortable classics
What doesn't: Slow sad songs, super personal stuff, anything that kills appetite
Good picks:
- Songs about gathering, eating, celebrating
- Music you'd play during dinner parties
- Nostalgic family favorites
- Cheerful, warm vibes
Kitchen is often the heart of the home. Pick music that makes people want to hang out there.
Bonus points if it's a song your family actually sings together while cooking.
Bathroom
What works: Small posters, waterproof frames, songs with humor
What doesn't: Large frames (space issues), anything too serious
Good picks:
- Short, funny lyrics
- Songs about getting ready
- Shower singing classics
- Small lyrics cards that fit the space
Bathrooms are small and humid. Keep frames small, make sure they're moisture-resistant.
This is where you can be a bit silly with song choice. It's the bathroom. Don't overthink it.
Hallway/Entryway
What works: Gallery walls, timeline displays, first impression pieces
What doesn't: Super personal intimate songs, tiny posters that get lost
Good picks:
- Collection of concert memories
- Timeline of important songs in your life
- Welcome-vibe music
- Statement pieces guests see when they enter
Hallways are transition spaces. Good for collections or series of related posters.
Or one big statement piece that sets the tone for your whole home.
Basement/Game Room/Hangout Space
What works: Bold designs, party music, nostalgic hits, whatever's fun
What doesn't: Quiet intimate songs, minimal designs that get lost in the vibe
Good picks:
- Songs from high school/college
- Party anthems
- Bold music poster designs
- Multiple posters in fun arrangements
This is fun space. Go bigger, bolder, more playful than you would elsewhere.
Mix in concert posters, band merch, whatever fits the vibe.
Matching Art to Wall Color
White walls: Anything works, but especially bold colorful posters
Dark walls: Light colored posters or white frames stand out
Colored walls: Coordinate poster colors or go neutral (black and white)
Accent walls: This is your statement wall - go big with your favorite song
Don't fight your wall color. Work with it.
Size Guidelines by Room
Small rooms (bathroom, small bedroom): 8x10 or 11x14 max
Medium rooms (bedroom, office): 11x14 to 16x20
Large rooms (living room): 16x20 or bigger, or gallery walls
Huge walls: Multiple pieces or one very large statement piece
A tiny poster on a huge wall looks lost. A huge poster in a tiny room is overwhelming.
Proportion matters.
Rooms Where Less Is More
Some spaces benefit from minimal music art:
Bedroom: One meaningful piece above bed is better than 10 random ones
Bathroom: One small funny piece beats clutter
Office: Focus over decoration
You don't have to fill every wall. Sometimes one perfect poster is enough.
Rooms Where More Is Fine
Other spaces can handle more:
Living room: Gallery walls work great
Hallway: Fill it up, it's transition space anyway
Basement/rec room: More is more here
Match the amount to the room's purpose.
Consider Who Sees It
Public rooms (living, dining, entry): Represent your taste but keep it accessible
Semi-private (home office, kitchen): More personal but still guest-appropriate
Private (bedroom, closet): Whatever you want, it's your space
Kids' spaces: Age-appropriate but still cool
Adjust your song choices and design boldness based on the audience.
Lighting Matters
Natural light: Avoid direct sunlight (fading) but diffused natural light makes posters look great
Artificial only: Make sure there's enough light to actually see it
Mood lighting: Softer designs work better than text-heavy ones
Spotlit: Perfect for your favorite piece - add a picture light
Don't hang art where nobody can see it properly.
The Seasonal Rotation
Some people swap art seasonally:
Winter: Cozy songs, warm colors
Spring: Upbeat renewal themes
Summer: High energy, bright colors
Fall: Nostalgic, mellow vibes
Keeps things fresh if you're into that. Also means you can have more posters than wall space.
For Renters
Can't paint or put holes everywhere?
Command strips: For lighter frames
Leaning: Prop frames on shelves or furniture
Temporary walls: Freestanding partitions you can decorate
Focus on permitted walls: Usually one or two accent walls are okay
Make your space yours within the rules.
The Open Floor Plan Problem
When rooms flow together (kitchen-dining-living all one space):
Keep a cohesive theme across the whole space. Not identical posters, but similar:
- Color scheme
- Frame style
- Musical genre or era
- Design style
Treat it as one big space with sections, not separate rooms.
Don't Mix Every Style
Pick a design vibe and stick with it per room:
Room A: All vinyl-style posters
Room B: All minimal typography
Room C: Gallery of concert photos
Mixing too many design styles in one room looks chaotic.
Start Small
If you're not sure what works where:
Start with one room. Perfect that. Then move to the next.
Don't try to do your whole house at once. You'll overwhelm yourself and probably make choices you regret.
One room at a time. Simple.
Ready to find the perfect poster for each room? Browse our printable music poster templates or create custom designs for your space.