Best Wall Art Prints Guide: How to Choose the Right Print for Your Space
Choosing between canvas vs acrylic prints is one of the most important decisions when selecting wall art for your home or office, as it directly influences how your space looks and feels.
While both formats showcase photography beautifully, they create very different visual effects. Canvas prints offer a soft, textured, painterly finish that feels warm and inviting, whereas acrylic prints deliver a sharp, high-definition look with vibrant colour and a sleek, modern gloss.
The best choice ultimately comes down to your interior style, lighting, and the atmosphere you want to create in your space.
What is the difference between canvas and acrylic prints?
The main difference between canvas and acrylic prints is how they display colour, detail, and light within a space.
Canvas prints use a textured fabric stretched over a frame, which softens the image slightly and creates a warm, painterly look with minimal glare. In contrast, acrylic prints are mounted behind a polished acrylic sheet, producing sharper detail, deeper contrast, and vibrant colour with a sleek, high-gloss finish.
While canvas prints feel more subtle and artistic, acrylic prints are designed to stand out, delivering a bold, modern, high-impact presentation.
Canvas vs Acrylic Prints – Quick Comparison
- Canvas prints → warm, textured, soft, artistic, low glare
- Acrylic prints → bold, glossy, sharp, vibrant, high impact
Canvas vs Acrylic Prints: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Canvas Prints | Acrylic Prints |
|---|---|---|
| Finish | Matte, textured | Glossy, smooth |
| Colour | Soft, muted | Vibrant, high contrast |
| Glare | Minimal | Reflective |
| Style | Warm, artistic | Modern, bold |
| Best for | Homes, bedrooms | Offices, statement spaces |
Canvas vs acrylic prints isn’t just a choice of material — it’s a choice between softness and boldness, between subtle atmosphere and striking visual impact, and ultimately how you want your space to feel.
Canvas Prints: Pros, Cons & When to Choose Them
Canvas prints are one of the most popular wall art print formats, known for their soft texture, reduced glare, and timeless gallery-style presentation. Printed on high-quality canvas and stretched over a timber frame, they create a relaxed, artistic finish that works beautifully across a wide range of interiors.
Unlike glossy alternatives, canvas has a subtle textured surface that gently softens the image, giving it a more natural, painterly quality. This makes canvas prints one of the best wall art print options for landscape photography, coastal scenes, and images where atmosphere and emotion are key.
One of the key advantages of canvas prints is their ability to reduce glare. The matte, light-diffusing surface minimises reflections, making them ideal for bright rooms with natural light where acrylic or glass-framed prints may feel too reflective.
Canvas prints also perform exceptionally well at larger sizes. Whether used as a single statement piece or as part of a gallery wall, they deliver strong visual impact without feeling harsh or overwhelming. They pair naturally with timber finishes, neutral colour palettes, and relaxed interior styles commonly found in modern Australian homes.
Why choose canvas prints?
- Soft, textured finish with a warm, natural feel
- Matte surface reduces glare and reflections
- Creates a relaxed, inviting atmosphere
- One of the best wall art prints for landscapes and coastal photography
- Ideal for large feature walls and gallery-style displays
Best suited for
Living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, and interiors where warmth, softness, and a natural aesthetic are desired. Canvas prints are especially suited to coastal homes and light-filled spaces. Canvas is often compared with framed prints when deciding between a soft or structured finish
Premium upgrade option: Canvas float frame
For a more refined, contemporary presentation, a canvas float frame is an excellent upgrade option. It retains the softness of canvas while adding a clean timber edge that enhances depth and creates a more structured, gallery-style finish.
Acrylic Prints: Pros, Cons and When to Choose Them
Acrylic prints are one of the most striking options in the best wall art prints category, known for their vibrant colour, high-definition clarity, and sleek, contemporary finish.
The image is mounted behind a clear acrylic surface, creating a glass-like effect that enhances contrast, depth, and fine detail. The result is a clean, high-end presentation where the artwork appears luminous, sharp, and visually powerful.
Compared to canvas or framed prints, acrylic delivers a significantly more polished and modern aesthetic. Colours appear richer, blacks are deeper, and the overall image has a sense of depth that makes acrylic one of the best wall art print options for bold, statement-driven interiors.
Because acrylic naturally amplifies light, colour, and contrast, it is especially effective for aerial photography, ocean scenes, cityscapes, and images with strong tonal variation. It pairs perfectly with modern interiors, delivering a sleek, gallery-style finish that feels premium and contemporary.
Acrylic prints are also widely used in apartments, offices, reception areas, and commercial spaces due to their professional, high-impact appearance. At larger sizes, they become powerful focal points that immediately draw attention and define a space.
Beyond aesthetics, acrylic prints are highly durable. The smooth, sealed surface is resistant to moisture, fading, and dust, and is easy to clean, making them ideal for light-filled or high-traffic environments.
Why choose acrylic prints?
- Vibrant colour with maximum visual impact
- Sleek, glossy, ultra-modern finish
- Exceptional clarity, sharpness, and depth
- Durable, moisture-resistant, easy-to-clean surface
- One of the best wall art prints for bold statement pieces
Best suited for
Modern homes, apartments, offices, reception areas, and commercial interiors where strong visual impact is desired. Acrylic prints are especially effective on feature walls where artwork is intended to stand out as a focal point.
They are ideal for spaces where you want the artwork to feel like the centrepiece rather than a subtle background element. Acrylic prints are often chosen over framed prints for a more modern, glass-like finish
Things to consider
- Can reflect light and create glare in very bright rooms
- Typically more expensive than canvas prints
- Creates a stronger visual impact, which may not suit softer interiors
Acrylic prints are ideal for those who want their artwork to become the centrepiece of a space. Their clarity, vibrancy, and modern finish make them one of the most impactful choices in the best wall art prints range.
Canvas Float Frames: Pros, Cons and When to Choose Them
Canvas float frames combine the soft texture and warmth of traditional canvas prints with a more refined, structured finish, making them one of the most premium options in the best wall art prints category.
In this format, the stretched canvas is set within a slim outer frame, creating a subtle “floating” effect around the artwork. This adds depth, definition, and a clean architectural edge, resulting in a polished, gallery-style presentation.
Compared to a standard stretched canvas, float frames provide a more elevated and intentional look while still retaining the organic, painterly quality that makes canvas so popular. This positions them as an ideal upgrade for those wanting a more sophisticated finish without moving into high-gloss acrylic or fully framed prints.
The balance between softness and structure makes canvas float frames especially popular in modern Australian homes, offices, and interior spaces where both style and presentation matter.
They are particularly effective for coastal landscapes, aerial photography, and panoramic compositions, where the frame enhances depth and presence without overpowering the image. The result is artwork that feels more complete, dimensional, and professionally finished.
Why choose canvas float frames?
- Retain the natural texture and warmth of canvas
- Add a clean, modern gallery-style frame
- Create depth and visual separation from the wall
- Deliver a more refined and premium presentation
- One of the best wall art print upgrades for high-end interiors
Best suited for
Feature walls, living rooms, offices, reception areas, and contemporary interiors where a polished yet approachable finish is desired.
Canvas float frames are especially effective in spaces where artwork needs to feel both relaxed and professionally presented — striking a balance between softness and structure.
Things to consider
- More expensive than standard canvas prints
- Slightly more structured look, which may not suit very casual spaces
- Frame style and colour should be chosen to suit your interior
Canvas float frames are the ideal choice when you want to elevate a standard canvas into a more premium presentation. Sitting between canvas and framed prints, they offer one of the most versatile and balanced options in the best wall art prints range.
How Canvas vs Acrylic Prints Change a Room
The biggest difference between canvas and acrylic prints isn’t just how they look — it’s how they influence the overall atmosphere of a room.
Canvas prints soften a space with a warm, textured finish, creating a relaxed, natural, and inviting feel. They tend to blend seamlessly into interiors rather than dominate the room, making them ideal for spaces where you want a calm, cohesive look.
Acrylic prints, on the other hand, draw immediate attention with a bold, high-gloss finish. They feel modern, sharp, and visually striking, often acting as a statement piece or focal point that defines the space.
A simple way to decide: if you’re aiming for a calm, soft, and inviting environment, canvas is usually the better choice. If you want a bold, modern, eye-catching feature that stands out, acrylic prints are the stronger option.
Explore the full comparison of Canvas vs Acrylic vs Framed Prints to help you choose the right finish for your space.
Lighting Matters When Choosing Wall Art
Lighting plays a big role when choosing between canvas vs acrylic prints.
Canvas prints reduce glare and work well in bright rooms
Acrylic prints reflect light and can enhance brightness and colour
👉 If your space has lots of natural light, this can significantly influence your decision.
Which Is Best for Your Interior Style?
Choosing between canvas and acrylic prints often comes down to the style of your interior and how you want the artwork to sit within the space.
Canvas prints tend to work best in living rooms and bedrooms, particularly in coastal or relaxed homes where warmth and comfort are key. They pair naturally with interiors that feature timber, linen, and soft, neutral textures, creating a subtle and calming presence that blends into the room rather than dominating it.
Acrylic prints, by contrast, are better suited to modern homes and apartments, as well as offices and commercial spaces. Their clean, high-gloss finish complements minimalist interiors and environments where strong visual impact is desired. In these settings, acrylic artwork often becomes a defining feature, adding sharpness, contrast, and a contemporary edge.
Are Acrylic Prints More Expensive Than Canvas?
Acrylic prints are typically more expensive than canvas prints due to the materials and specialised production process required to achieve their high-gloss, glass-like finish.
However, this added cost reflects their premium presentation. Acrylic prints offer enhanced colour depth, sharper detail, and a sleek, modern aesthetic, making them a popular choice for statement pieces and interiors where visual impact is a priority.
Explore Wall Art for Your Space
Explore our collection of Australian coastal photography, available in both canvas and acrylic print finishes, designed to suit a wide range of interior styles and spaces.
Whether you’re creating a calm, coastal-inspired room or a bold, modern feature wall, you can choose the format that perfectly complements your home and the atmosphere you want to achieve.
Related Guides: Canvas, Acrylic & Framed Prints Compared
Want to go deeper into choosing the right print style for your space? Explore these detailed comparisons to help you understand the differences in finish, style, and presentation.
Canvas vs Acrylic vs Framed Prints – Full breakdown of all three print types to help you choose the best option
Canvas vs Framed Prints – Ideal guide for understanding the best choice for home styling and interior design
Acrylic vs Framed Prints – Compare modern glossy finishes with classic framed presentation styles
Frequently Asked Questions – Canvas vs Acrylic Prints
Which is better, canvas or acrylic prints?
Neither canvas nor acrylic prints are inherently better — the right choice depends on your interior style and the look you want to achieve. Canvas prints offer a soft, textured, and more traditional feel that suits relaxed, coastal, and natural interiors. Acrylic prints, on the other hand, deliver a sharp, vibrant, high-gloss finish that works best in modern, minimalist, and statement-driven spaces.
What is the main difference between canvas and acrylic prints?
The main difference between canvas and acrylic prints is how they display colour, detail, and light. Canvas prints use a matte, textured surface that softens the image and reduces glare, creating a warm and artistic look. Acrylic prints are mounted behind a glossy surface, which enhances sharpness, contrast, and colour depth, resulting in a bold, modern, high-impact finish
Do acrylic prints last longer than canvas prints?
Both canvas and acrylic prints are highly durable when produced using professional materials and printing techniques. However, acrylic prints generally offer greater resistance to moisture, UV exposure, and surface damage, making them slightly more durable in high-light or high-traffic environments.
Are canvas prints still in style?
Yes — canvas prints remain one of the most popular wall art print styles, particularly for landscape and coastal photography. Their timeless, gallery-style appearance and soft, natural texture ensure they continue to suit a wide range of interiors, from modern homes to more traditional spaces.
Do acrylic prints reflect light or cause glare?
Acrylic prints have a glossy surface that reflects light, which can enhance brightness and make colours appear more vibrant. However, in very bright rooms or spaces with direct sunlight, this can also create glare. Placement and lighting should be considered when choosing acrylic prints.
Are acrylic prints more expensive than canvas?
Yes, acrylic prints are typically more expensive than canvas prints due to the materials and specialised production process. They are often considered a premium wall art option because of their clarity, depth, and high-end finish.
Which print is better for bright rooms?
Canvas prints are generally better suited for bright rooms because their matte surface reduces glare and reflections. Acrylic prints can work in bright spaces, but may reflect light depending on placement and viewing angle.
Are canvas prints or acrylic prints better for coastal photography?
Both formats work beautifully for coastal photography. Canvas prints enhance the softness and atmosphere of ocean scenes, while acrylic prints intensify colour, clarity, and depth — particularly in water and sky tones.
Can I use canvas or acrylic prints in offices or commercial spaces?
Yes, both options are suitable. Canvas prints are ideal for creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, while acrylic prints are often preferred in offices, reception areas, and commercial spaces where a more modern and professional appearance is desired.