Purple is one of the most misunderstood colours in home decor. Most people who are drawn to purple in wall art hold themselves back because they worry it will feel dark, heavy, or difficult to live with. These concerns are almost always based on the wrong version of purple.

Why purple works in domestic spaces

Purple sits between blue and red on the colour spectrum and carries qualities of both. When the balance is right, the result is a colour that is simultaneously calming and warm. Purple also has an extraordinary relationship with gold and warm light. Under warm artificial lighting in the evenings, purples with blue undertones take on a luminous quality. A painting that is beautiful in the day becomes something different and extraordinary in the evening.

The cold purple problem

The purple that feels cold is almost always a purple that sits too far toward blue, or appears without enough warmth in the painting as a whole. The purple that works has warmth woven through it. Soft pinks and mauves. Purples alongside gold. For comparison, read my post on blue and green wall art to understand how cool palettes can be kept warm.

Purple wall art for living rooms and bedrooms

In a living room, purple works best when the room has warm elements to respond to it. In bedrooms, softer purples with pink and lavender undertones work particularly well. For a full guide to bedroom art choices, read my post on art for a calm bedroom. For sizing guidance, read my room by room size guide.

Paintings in this palette from my collection

TRANSCEND combines soft purple, deep blue and shimmering gold. LOLITE is calming lavender and soft blue. The IGNEOUS pair brings smoky purples, soft pinks and muted greys together. NACRE combines blue, purple, blush pink and warm brass.

All are available as canvas prints and fine art paper prints. For guidance on which format to choose, read my canvas vs paper prints guide.

Explore the purple paintings in my collection here. I cannot wait to see you there.