Decorating guide
Abstract photography for decorating
There's a kind of artwork that depicts nothing recognisable, and yet it's the first thing your eye lands on when you walk into a room. That's how abstract photography works: with no landscape or figure to "explain", the piece becomes pure form, colour and texture — which makes it surprisingly versatile for decorating. This guide explains why, and how to choose well.
What abstract photography actually is
You don't need paint or heavy digital editing to arrive at abstraction. Sometimes it's enough to get very close to a surface, let water move during a long exposure, or capture a reflection until it loses its original reference point. The result is an image that reads first as composition — line, mass, contrast — and only second, if at all, as "something".
That ambiguity is exactly what makes it so useful in interiors: an abstract photograph doesn't impose a subject on the room, it brings a visual presence that adapts to the space around it.
Why abstract art suits contemporary interiors
Contemporary decor tends towards uncluttered spaces, natural materials and a small number of pieces that carry real visual weight. Abstract art fits that brief for three reasons:
- It doesn't compete with the room. With no literal subject, an abstract composition converses with the colour and texture around it instead of imposing its own narrative.
- It works as a focal point without overwhelming. An image built on resolved shapes and contrast draws the eye while still letting the rest of the wall breathe.
- It ages well. Decor trends shift, but a composition built on form and light — rather than a scene tied to a particular moment — keeps working years later.
How to choose the colour of your abstract print
In abstract photography, colour is usually the absolute lead, so it pays to think about it the way you'd think about a cushion or a rug: as another piece of the room's palette, not as a picture set apart from it.
| Your space | What abstract art works |
|---|---|
| Neutral, beige, light wood | Minerals in earthy tones and cool light — the Piedra y Sal series |
| Blues, coastal or Mediterranean | Water, reflections and nets of light — the Aqua collection |
| White, minimalist, Scandinavian | Ice and rock geometries in black and white — Piedra y Sal |
| Dark, characterful, urban | Deep, almost nocturnal blues — pieces like Indigo |
Five abstract pieces that nail it
Looking for a starting point? These five pieces from Soul in Prints cover a wide range of styles:
- Crystalline I — mineral ice mid-fracture, all sharp edges and cold light. A piece for clean-lined spaces, where contrast does the talking.
- Indigo — a deep blue that fills the frame edge to edge, almost nocturnal. Brings density and a dramatic note to dark walls or characterful studies.
- Mesh I — a net of light traced across a pool floor, shifting and organic. Ideal for bathrooms, hallways or any corner that calls for movement without visual noise.
- Emerald I — a deep green bleeding into turquoise, as if the light changed its mind mid-afternoon. Perfect for adding colour to a neutral space without breaking its calm.
- Stone I — a rock surface seen so close it becomes its own landscape, dense and earthy. Works beautifully alongside natural wood and raw tones.
Where to hang abstract art (and at what size)
Abstract art is especially well suited to transitional spaces and work areas: entryways, hallways, studies, or the wall behind a desk — places where a figurative scene can start to feel repetitive over time, but an abstract composition keeps revealing new detail.
As for size, the general rule still applies: the larger the wall and the further away the piece is viewed from, the larger it should be. For a living room, we cover the exact proportions in what size print to choose for your wall. For smaller spaces, a single 40 × 60 cm abstract piece can be plenty above an entryway table or a desk.
A well-chosen abstract piece doesn't decorate "around" a style — it becomes the style.
Combining abstract photography with other pieces
Abstract compositions are also the pieces that work best in a gallery wall alongside more figurative photography: their lack of "scene" lets them act as a bridge between different works, like the silence between two sentences. If you're planning a gallery wall, our guide on what fine art photography is explains the difference between a limited and an open edition — useful when mixing formats and price points within the same composition.
Frequently asked questions
Does abstract photography work in any room?
Yes — that's precisely its advantage. With no fixed subject, it adapts to the function and style of each space. It can take centre stage in a living room, or play a supporting role in a hallway or study.
How do I choose the colour of an abstract print for my home?
Treat it as part of your palette: earthy, mineral tones for neutral and wood-toned spaces, blues and watery greens for coastal interiors, and black and white or deep blues for contemporary spaces with more character.
What size should an abstract print be?
It depends on the space: in a living room, follow the 60-75% rule relative to the sofa's width; in entryways, hallways or studies, a 40 × 60 cm or 50 × 70 cm piece is usually enough to create presence without overwhelming.
How much do abstract fine art prints cost?
At Soul in Prints, open editions start from €65 and increase with size and material; numbered, signed limited editions are the premium option. Every print is made to order and shipped worldwide with tracking.
Find your abstract piece
9 fine art photography collections, in multiple sizes and materials. From €65.
View gallery →