I would normally say that large piece of art should be centered over the couch or loveseat, but this one is wider than your loveseat, so I'm not sure. But it looks odd to be centered on the wall instead of over furniture. Can you post a picture of the opposite walls across the room? It may need to go somewhere else OR some rearrangement of furniture.

That piece needs to be hung lower and IMO a stand alone piece. I would put the sofa on that wall .

@thriftyboho: With where the TV is now, the sofa and loveseat are best where they’re at currently. Behind the sofa is our dining area (it’s a long narrow room that is living/dining space. There does not seem to be enough space on the south-facing opposite wall which is squeezed between a wide window and the sliding patio door. The large size really limits options. Maybe move it more to the right so that it’s behind the living area and then center a smaller piece over the loveseat?

@Patricia: Thank you, I told my husband it needed to be lower too!

No, that large piece of art should be by itself.
It's a statement piece, don't muddy it up with other competing artwork on the same wall. The problem is that the artwork should be centered above a piece of furniture, but your loveseat is too small for that spot. It would be better with two long sofas, since you don't want to switch them (though if switched, you can put tv on an articulating arm to turn it). Actually, the tv would be better to the left of the fireplace, angled toward the rest of the room. You definitely have room for two sofas here. Can you replace the loveseat with a longer piece that coordinates with the other? They don't need to match exactly. Your artwork should be centered over the sofa, and lower, not floating in the middle of the wall. You can try it over the loveseat even though it looks wider than the furniture. Then I would get a more substantial, "bolder" side table and lamp, move the side table forward so it's not right up against the wall, move the potted plant elsewhere, and see how a tall shelf unit with decorative items in it, or a tall cabinet with solid doors, looks where the plant is now.

The wall in general feels off balanced. Idea below with your love seat moved left, art centered above a console and then you could balance wall with smaller art over seating - not sure if it would feel too lined up.

Could loveseat seat go on opposite wall and then your art will really take centre stage with a longer console.

@dane That looks great! thank you!

thanks for the suggestions everyone! we lowered the painting (might be a little too low now) and centered it over the loveseat. im going to look for a book case or a shelving unit to go behind the sofa (to the right of the painting). as a side note, this is what the fireplace and shelves looked like when we moved in. it was an update on a budget...but we're pretty happy with how it turned out. 🙂

I think the art was ok where it was. Asymmetry can be an interesting thing. And the art is fine centered on the wall. I would have maybe considered moving the plant that is on that wall, so that there is not such a grouping of various items below the art. Would showcase the art more that way, less distraction + the offset placement would be more interesting that way. And I think you could use a bolder table lamp below your art with that original placement.

Just one idea:

Catalina Manhattan 28.75" 3-Way Square Gold Spiked Table Lamp, Bulb Included · More Info

In my opinion, the art is better centered on the wall. It's a large, striking piece, and it should take front and center in the room. It should not be shoved over to the side, just to have it placed over some furniture. And art does not have to be centered over furniture, btw.

That beautiful art piece needs to be on the fireplace brick and NO mantle. Will it fit? Look at your original photo of the fireplace before a mantle. The color you have painted the brick is the perfect background and the fireplace wall is your focal point. Move the TV to another wall, maybe where the art is now or to another room. That art needs to be front and center in your room. IMO.

@Juli thanks, I love the piece too! it would likely be too big for the fireplace. putting it there and removing the mantle was never a consideration, because my husband made the mantle with some beautiful repurposed dark walnut himself. :)

@freedomplace thanks! I appreciate these differing views on placement. i didn't think having it centered on the wall was so bad in person either. it definitely was hung too high originally tho. i also appreciate the suggestions of visually separating living from dining area directly behind it. luckily the way it's sort of strung in back makes it pretty easy to move around to find the best place. we will keep adjusting! 😄

Your artwork is beautiful all by itself. Just looking at that wall area though, maybe consider adding a simple wainscoting to just that wall to set it off below and give that wall some bling. When you're done come help me decorate, lol.

I don’t know if you would be open to to reframing the art. I find your current frame too metallic and sparkly. I think it competes with the painting itself, and I think a simple black floating frame would work much better.

I never meant to imply that art *always* has to be centered over furniture. It just seems like a better choice for your room, with your furniture. Btw, freedomplace1 seems to enjoy following up any posts I make on any thread with strident opinions that challenge mine, basically to say I'm wrong. They even told me to shut up once. But there is room for all opinions here, we don't need to make others wrong for theirs.

You said you're happy with the new placement and like delineating the dining area from living area. That's what matters most. I think it looks better - and do still feel that a more substantial side table with bolder lamp next to loveseat and pretty shelving unit or cabinet on far right of that wall would help make it all cohesive and balanced.

@thriftyboho i am glad to get everyone's opinion. yes, I do probably need to find another end table... the old end table looked even worse! but i had the trunk sitting around so using that for now. if you have suggestions on a shelving unit or cabinet (or end tables for that matter), I'd be interested in your thoughts. thank you everyone for your help!