An original painting is often the first thing guests notice in a living room, and the thing that makes a space feel personal rather than furnished. But choosing one can feel intimidating. Here is a simple, practical approach, with a few notes specific to homes in the UAE.
1. Start with the wall, not the painting
Measure the wall where the painting will hang and note what sits beneath it. A useful rule of thumb: above a sofa or console, a painting (or group of paintings) should cover roughly two-thirds of the width of the furniture. Hang it so its centre sits at about eye level, around 145–155 cm from the floor, and leave 15–25 cm between the top of the sofa and the bottom of the frame.
A single small canvas on a large empty wall tends to look lost. If you love a smaller piece, consider pairing two or three works from the same collection as a set. Smaller originals such as Conquelicot or Iris work beautifully in a group.
2. Choose a feeling before a colour
Ask what you want the room to feel like. Calm and airy? A neutral piece with soft texture, such as Lily, will sit quietly with cream, beige and grey. Warm and welcoming? Oranges and golds, as in Tulips or Sunflower, bring instant energy. Bold and dramatic? A red or purple statement piece like Life with Pain becomes the room’s centrepiece.
Then pick one or two colours from the painting and repeat them in cushions, a throw or a vase. That small echo makes the whole room feel designed around the art.
3. Think about UAE light
Homes in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi often get strong, bright daylight. Two tips:
- Avoid direct sun on the canvas. Long hours of direct sunlight can fade any painting over time. A wall that gets indirect light is ideal.
- Use textured work to your advantage. Paintings with raised, sculpted texture, like many of the pieces in the Flowers Collection, change character through the day as the light moves across them, and look stunning in the evening under a warm spotlight.
4. Abstract or floral?
Abstract and figurative-abstract work gives a room personality and starts conversations, and it suits modern and minimalist interiors especially well. Floral painting is timeless and softer, and is easy to live with in bedrooms, dining rooms and family spaces. There is no wrong answer. Many collectors mix both in different rooms.
5. Choose art that means something
The most important question is simply: does it move you? Mass-produced prints are made to match a sofa. An original is made to say something. Every painting in Lana Almouakeh’s Fibromyalgia Collection, for example, carries a personal story of living with chronic pain, and that story becomes part of your home.
6. Practical details
- Check the size listed on each painting’s page and mark it on the wall with masking tape before you buy.
- Ask about commissions if you need a specific size or colour palette. Lana also creates custom paintings made to order.
- Delivery: originals on this site are delivered free within the UAE, and international delivery can be arranged on request.
Ready to look? Browse all original paintings, or get in touch and describe your room. We are happy to suggest pieces that would suit it.