From the WhiteWall expert Jan-Ole Schmidt

A successful living environment thrives on the combination of architecture, furnishings, lighting, and personal accents—and photographs play a central role in this. But for a picture to unfold its full effect, choosing the right motif is not enough. Equally important is the question: What material should the photo be presented on—and how does it fit in with the interior design?

This is because every substrate changes the effect of an image. A motif that appears modern and shiny on acrylic glass has a warm and understated effect on canvas, and a more matter-of-fact and clear effect on aluminum Dibond. At the same time, the environment also plays a major role: in bright rooms with lots of light, different requirements apply than in more subdued living areas. Reflections, depth effect, feel, and color brilliance—all these are factors that should be taken into account when choosing a material.

In this article, we provide practical guidance: we present the most common WhiteWall materials and show how they can be harmoniously integrated into different interior design styles and room concepts – from modern city apartments to cozy country houses, from minimalist offices to creative studios.

Because the question is not only: What suits my picture? But also: What suits my room – and me?

1. Acrylic glass: Brilliance and depth for modern rooms

A photo behind acrylic glass is one of the most elegant ways to present modern photography. The combination of high color brilliance, impressive depth effect, and smooth surface gives the motif a special radiance—and makes it a striking eye-catcher in the room.

WhiteWall offers two variants: glossy acrylic glass for maximum luminosity and matte acrylic glass, which minimizes reflections and creates a particularly soft, elegant surface. The decision for one of these variants depends not only on the motif, but also on the room situation.

Bright rooms with plenty of daylight

In light-flooded living or working areas, reflective surfaces often cause unwanted reflections. In this case, we recommend using matte acrylic glass, as it refracts light without reducing the depth or intensity of the image. It preserves the modern character, but remains discreet and pleasantly calm in its effect.

Dark rooms with targeted lighting

In less bright environments, on the other hand, glossy acrylic glass shows its full potential. The reflective surface creates a deep image effect and makes colors and contrasts appear particularly vivid. In combination with targeted accent lighting, this creates a high-quality gallery effect.

Suitable motifs and styles

• Ideal for architectural photography, landscapes with strong contrasts, cityscapes, or detailed shots

• Perfect in modern, minimalist, or design-oriented interiors, such as lofts, offices, or new-build apartments

More information about photos behind acrylic glass

2. Aluminum Dibond: Purist elegance for a contemporary ambience

If you are looking for a minimalist, functional, and at the same time elegant way to present your photography, aluminum Dibond is the ideal substrate. It impresses with its matte, non-reflective surface, a very slim silhouette, and high stability—and always looks understated and professional.

At WhiteWall, you can choose between three options: direct printing on aluminum Dibond, a classic Photo Print on photo paper laminated onto aluminum Dibond, or a print on Fine Art paper, also laminated onto aluminum Dibond – each with optional protective laminate or under acrylic glass. Both options offer a clear, minimalist effect – but differ in their depth of detail and feel.

Use in bright rooms

In modern, bright living environments – for example, with lots of daylight, white walls, and smooth surfaces – low-reflection materials are particularly important. In this case, direct printing on aluminum Dibond or lamination with matte photo or Fine Art paper can be a good choice. The matte surfaces reduce reflections and ensure that the image remains clearly visible even in bright ambient light.

Use in rooms with a minimalist design

Aluminum Dibond also cuts a fine figure in clearly structured offices, corridors, or conference rooms. It appears neutral and high-quality and draws attention to the motif itself – without unnecessary distraction from frames or gloss.

Suitable motifs and styles

• Ideal for black-and-white photography, technical motifs, abstract art, or nature photographs with fine textures

• Particularly suitable for modern interiors, minimalism, Scandinavian design, and urban room concepts

More information about Fine Art Prints on aluminum Dibond

3. Canvas: Classic warmth for cozy living spaces

The photo canvas is a true classic among picture carriers – not least because of its natural, textile surface and its soft image effect, which gives every room a cozy touch. In contrast to smooth materials, canvas has a particularly warm and handcrafted look – ideal for relaxed, personal interiors.

WhiteWall produces canvas prints of the highest quality: the photo motif is printed on a fine canvas material and stretched onto a wooden stretcher frame – creating a painterly effect that makes the image appear softer and almost artistic.

Use in warmly designed rooms

Canvas is particularly well suited for rooms with natural materials, muted colors, textiles, and soft lighting—such as living rooms, bedrooms, or open-plan kitchens. Here, it blends in harmoniously and emphasizes the cozy character of the room.

Advantages for dark rooms

Canvas also unfolds its charm in darker areas – it is non-reflective and absorbs light pleasantly. Colors appear soft, structures lively – without glare.

Suitable motifs and styles

• Ideal for family portraits, still lifes, nature and landscape photographs, or vintage motifs

• Particularly harmonious in boho, country house, and Scandinavian-inspired interior styles, but also in retro interiors

More information about photos on canvas

4. Framed Fine Art Prints: Timeless aesthetics for sophisticated interiors

Framed Fine Art Prints are the most classic and versatile way to present a photo in high quality. They combine the expressiveness of fine paper with the creative effect of passe-partouts and frames – and are therefore particularly popular with aesthetes, art lovers, and enthusiasts of stylish interior design.

WhiteWall offers a wide range of combinations: from subtle matte papers such as Hahnemühle Photo Rag to textured variants such as Hahnemühle William Turner. These are presented behind glass with a passe-partout and a custom-made frame made of wood or aluminum – entirely according to your wishes and room requirements.

Adaptation to light or dark rooms

Framed pictures offer particular flexibility when it comes to adapting to lighting conditions:

• For bright rooms with strong light, anti-reflective glass is recommended to minimize reflections.

• In dark rooms, glossy glass can create a beautiful depth effect and make the picture appear more vivid.

The ability to match the frame color, paper, and passe-partout to the interior allows you to create a highly individual design element.

Suitable motifs and styles

• Ideal for portraits, artistic series, illustrations, or black-and-white photography

• Particularly suitable for classic, elegant, contemporary, or creatively designed rooms, such as studies, gallery walls, or stylish living rooms

Individual coordination through frame selection

A major advantage of framed Fine Art Prints is the wide range of frame options available, allowing the picture to blend seamlessly into the existing interior design – or to deliberately set accents.

WhiteWall offers a wide selection of wooden or aluminum frame profiles that can be matched to different interior design concepts in terms of color, grain, and style:

• Light wood frames such as maple or oak are a perfect match for airy, Scandinavian-inspired interiors.

• Dark variants such as walnut or brown alder harmonize with classic or elegant interiors.

• Those who prefer a modern and purist look can choose black, white, or metallic aluminum frames – ideal for minimalist and urban spaces.

In combination with color-coordinated passe-partouts, the result is a picture object that blends precisely into the room concept – or deliberately stands out as a design highlight.

More information about framed photos

Flexible design with clip-on frames

A particular advantage of framed pictures is the possibility of regularly inserting new motifs using clip-on frames – without having to replace the entire picture object.

WhiteWall offers, among other things, Changeable Magnetic Frames that allow you to change the picture in just a few simple steps. This allows you to:

• Add seasonal accents – e.g., fresh nature motifs in spring, tranquil landscapes in fall, or festive scenes in winter.

• Flexibly adapt your decorating concepts – particularly valuable in rooms with regularly changing color schemes or changing themes in your home or office.

• Take advantage of the opportunity to rotate your own works or favorite pictures without needing new prints or new frames.

This makes the framed Fine Art Print not only an aesthetic highlight, but also a dynamic part of the interior design that changes with your lifestyle.

More information about photos in changeable magnetic frames

5. Conclusion: The harmonious combination of photographic art and living space

A photographic artwork only unfolds its full effect when it harmonizes with the room and its design. Choosing the right substrate is just as important as the motif itself.

Whether acrylic glass with a brilliant depth effect, aluminum Dibond for minimalist elegance, canvas for cozy warmth, or a framed Fine Art Print with a custom-matched passe-partout—WhiteWall offers the right solution for every type of room, every lighting mood, and every interior design style.

Aspects such as reflection behavior, structure, frame color, and surface effect should also be taken into account when making a decision. In bright, modern rooms, a matte surface or aluminum Dibond is often recommended, while in subdued, atmospheric environments, glossy acrylic glass or warm canvas textures are particularly effective.

Thanks to flexible framing solutions such as Changeable Magnetic Frames, image content can also be adapted seasonally or according to mood – a great advantage for anyone who likes to reinterpret their home time and again.

WhiteWall combines precision craftsmanship with creative diversity – so that your photographs not only impress, but also become an integral part of your home's aesthetic.