1
Paint the walls in your living room a light, neutral color that serves as a soft and nondistracting background for your bright oil paintings. Bright walls, such as sunshine yellow or lime green, may clash with the bright colors of the paintings or detract from them. Soft cream, stark white, light blue, gray or beige can blend into the background, allowing the oil paintings to command attention.
2
Position your furniture so it's easy to admire your bright oil paintings. Choose furniture in neutral shades or simple patterns that complement the colors and themes of the paintings. For example, paintings with brightly colored flowers would work with a sage green sofa and cream chairs that feature a pink floral pattern. Opting for completely neutral furniture will keep the focus on the bright colors in the paintings.
3
Hang your oil paintings where they will serve as the focal point of the living room. The wall above the sofa is ideal if that is the first wall you see when you enter the room, above a fireplace with the sofa and chairs arranged around it or on a single wall that serves as the focal point are some ideas.
Hang the pictures about 60 inches above the ground if the paintings will be viewed by people who are standing, or at eye level when you sit down if the paintings will mostly be admired by those sitting in the living room. Hang the paintings just above the sofa, leaving no more than 8 to 10 inches of space if you plan to hang the paintings directly above the back of the sofa.
4
Accessorize your living room with textiles and small items that complement the colors, styles and subject of the oil paintings. Use a rug, curtains and throw pillows in some of the same bright colors repeated in the paintings. Fill a vase with flowers in the same color or shape to complement a floral oil painting, or seashells in a glass bowl for ocean-themed paintings. Small hints of color or whimsical items that relate to the oil paintings will tie your living room decor together.
