Contemporary curly cat painting: how to match it with your adult bedroom
7 min read · by Walensky
MODERN SELKIRK REX CAT PAINTING
You fell for the wavy coat and calm gaze of a Selkirk Rex in large format. Good news: it's a motif that goes with almost everything. Bad news: "almost everything" doesn't mean "anything goes", and a painting poorly matched to its bedroom can quickly feel like a guest who doesn't know anyone at the party.
The direct answerA contemporary-style curly cat painting fits into an adult bedroom by picking up one or two colours already present in its palette (beige, sage green, off-white, powder pink or blue depending on the artwork chosen), by hanging it above the headboard at eye level, and by keeping it between 60 and 75% of the furniture's width. The choice of medium also matters: acrylic glass for a bedroom with soft lighting, matte Alu Dibond facing a window.The Selkirk Rex, with its curly fur and slightly regal bearing, has a rare quality for an animal subject: it sits just as well in a clean Scandinavian setting as in a more opulent, boudoir-style bedroom. The question is how to dress it.
- Pair the painting with one or two shades already present in the bedding or walls, never with an entirely new palette.
- Hang it above the headboard, centred, at eye level when you're seated on the bed.
- For a wall over 2 metres wide, consider a composition of two or three paintings rather than a single isolated XXL format.
The curly cat painting, a centrepiece of contemporary style
The Selkirk Rex has that little extra: its curly coat catches the light differently from a classic cat, and Walensky's artists have played precisely on this visual texture in their creations. The result is a gentle presence, never loud, that fits naturally with contemporary codes: simple lines, a clean background, a controlled palette.
That is what makes it a motif that is easier to live with day to day than a classic portrait or an overly busy scene. In a bedroom, where calm is the priority, this restraint is a real asset.
A good bedroom painting shouldn't grab attention first: it should hold the gaze once you've settled on it.
Which colour palette to choose according to your bedroom's mood
The colour of the painting should mirror that of your bed linen, not the other way round. There's no need to buy the artwork first and then repaint the room: start by identifying your two or three dominant tones, then look for the Selkirk Rex that picks them up.
Scandinavian bedroom: betting on white and light wood
In a Scandinavian bedroom, light flooring, off-white linen and touches of raw wood call for something very gentle. A painting of a white cat on a beige or soft tropical background extends this neutral palette without disrupting the balance.
The White Selkirk Rex Cat Painting - Tropical Serenity works particularly well here: its beige and white tones almost blend into the décor while adding the extra texture that many overly smooth bedrooms lack.
Boudoir bedroom: pairing the painting with warm tones and velvet
A boudoir bedroom embraces velvet, deep tones, sometimes a touch of red or powder pink. The classic pitfall is choosing a painting that's too pale, which ends up lost in the décor instead of punctuating it.
Opt for an artwork that dares a bold colour, such as the White Selkirk Rex Cat Painting - Royal Elegance with its touches of red, which dialogue beautifully with a tufted headboard or burgundy velvet cushions.
In a bedroom with warm tones and often dimmed evening light, acrylic glass reveals the depth of colours better than a matte support.
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Selkirk Rex Cat Painting by the Window - Modern Contemplation - Selkirk Rex Cat Edition
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Discover this paintingWhere to place the painting for a successful contemporary effect
The rule is simple: the centre of the painting goes at eye level, and its width should be 60 to 75% of the width of the furniture it hangs above. Above a double bed, this generally means an L (120x70 cm) or XL (140x80 cm) format from the collection.
For an attic bedroom or a narrow wall with little space on either side of the bed, a made-to-measure format starting at 80x46 cm remains the best option rather than forcing a large format that would encroach on the bedside tables.
- Small bedroom (under 12 m²): a single L-format painting, centred, no multiple composition.
- Medium bedroom: L or XL format above the headboard, 15-20 cm from the top of the mattress.
- Large bedroom with a clear wall: XXL or 2XL, or a composition of two artworks from the same series.
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Combining several cat paintings in different sizes and styles
Composing a gallery wall with several Selkirk Rex requires a simple rule: vary the framing (close-up portrait, window scene, polygonal version) while keeping a shared palette. Mixing styles creates rhythm, and colour consistency prevents clutter.
The Polygonal Selkirk Rex Cat Painting - Modern Geometric Art, in grey and beige, pairs very well with a more figurative piece such as Modern Contemplation, provided both share the same format.
For a successful gallery effect, three pieces at most are enough in a bedroom: beyond that, the eye no longer knows where to settle, especially in a space meant for rest.
2026 trends for adult bedroom decor featuring the curly cat
Minimalism continues to dominate adult bedrooms in 2026, but with a nuance: a confident touch of colour is now welcome rather than the all-neutral look of previous years. Sage green and powder pink are emerging as alternatives to grey, which has become somewhat predictable.
In this vein, the Modern Living Room Selkirk Rex Cat Painting - Curly Softness, with its pink and beige tones, ticks every box for a current contemporary bedroom without tipping into blandness.
A discreet return of more geometric and graphic motifs is also visible, an echo of a revisited Art Deco. The polygonal format of the Selkirk Rex fits perfectly into this trend, far from the purely figurative style that dominated only a few seasons ago.
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Polygonal Selkirk Rex Cat Painting - Modern Geometric Art - Selkirk Rex cat edition
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Discover this painting →Frequently asked questions
How to choose the size of a painting for an adult bedroom?
Measure the width of your headboard or the available wall, then aim for 60 to 75% of that width. For a standard double bed, an L (120x70 cm) or XL (140x80 cm) format works in most cases.
Which painting colour for a neutral bedroom?
A neutral-toned bedroom suits a painting in beige, white or soft green tones, which extends the palette without breaking it. Avoid overly stark contrasts that would disrupt the harmony you're aiming for.
Can you combine several cat paintings in the same bedroom?
Yes, provided you keep a shared palette and limit the composition to two or three pieces at most. Vary the framing (portrait, scene, polygonal version) to create rhythm without overloading the wall.
Where should you hang a cat painting in a bedroom?
The most natural spot remains above the headboard, centred, with the middle of the artwork at eye level for someone seated on the bed. A clear side wall also works very well as an alternative.
A curly cat painting is never chosen in isolation: it is chosen in dialogue with the rest of the room, its colours, materials and light. Let the tones converse before letting the styles converse, and the wall that taunted you since you moved in will become the one you look at first upon entering. If you feel like composing your own decorative wall, browse the modern Selkirk Rex cat painting collection or compare with our article on the black and white Bengal cat painting for an adult bedroom if you're still torn between two feline styles.
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