Choosing the right art can give your home a refined, personalised touch that sets it apart. Art can transform a room from simply functional to an inspiring space that tells a story. But with countless options available, it can feel overwhelming to choose art for the home that aligns with your aesthetic and the overall design of your space.
In this article, we explore the various things to consider when choosing art for your home, from defining your own individual style and preferences to placement, size and type of artwork.
Determine What You Like
Explore Different Art Genres
Art is subjective, so the first step in choosing art for your home is determining what you like. Explore different art genres such as Abstract, Impressionism, Pop Art, Surrealism, and others. Museums, art galleries, online art platforms, and even social media can offer you a wealth of inspiration.
Consider Your Emotional Connection
Remember, the best artwork resonates emotionally. As you explore, note the pieces that evoke strong feelings or memories. You’ll want to incorporate these types of art into your space.
Consider The Space
Size and Scale
When choosing art for your home, it’s vital to consider the space it will occupy. A piece of art should complement its surroundings, not overpower them. One of the biggest mistakes we see as interior designers is improper scaling, where the artwork’s dimensions clash with the room’s proportions and existing elements. As a helpful tip for achieving the right scaling, choose artwork that takes up around two-thirds to three-quarters of the available wall space. This guideline will allow the art to make a visually impactful statement without dominating the environment.
Colour and Mood
It’s important to be aware that the colour of your artwork can significantly impact the mood of a room. So, if you are looking to create a calm, serene environment, opt for pieces with soothing colours like soft blues and restful greens. However, if you want to create a lively, energetic space, prioritise art with bold primary colours and contrasting tones.
Work With The Existing Or Potential Style Of The Room
Your art should complement and work with your room’s overall style. Whether it’s minimalist, maximalist, boho or industrial, select pieces that enhance the existing or potential style of the room. For instance, if you are working with a minimalistic space, consider selecting art that employs clean lines, muted tones, and a sense of serene simplicity. In contrast, an industrial interior might benefit from artworks that incorporate raw materials, textured surfaces, and an urban-inspired colour palette. Don’t be afraid to mix styles, though! An antique painting can ingeniously come to life in a modern setting and add a layer of intrigue to the room.
Delve Into the Property’s History
Delving into the history of your property and its surrounding environment can also offer a valuable perspective when selecting art for your home. Every brush stroke on canvas or captured moment in a photograph holds the potential to resonate with the narratives that have unfolded within your home’s walls. By incorporating local landscape artwork or historical maps, you can infuse your home with a tangible connection to its past. Consider adorning your walls with photography that chronicles the property’s evolution, reflecting its journey through time. These artistic choices not only pay homage to the roots of your space but will also create a dialogue between your home’s history, its surroundings, and the art that graces its walls.
Placement and Layout
When it comes to art placement, wall space and furniture layout serve as foundational considerations. For high-ceilinged rooms, grand artworks will command attention and emphasize the room’s vertical expanse, while smaller spaces might benefit from more intimate pieces that enhance coziness. When deciding between large singular art, grouped arrangements, or gallery walls, the scale of your space matters. Large art can become a striking focal point in spacious areas, while grouped art fosters storytelling intimacy, fitting perfectly in living rooms or hallways. Gallery walls, make a bold choice for sizable spaces and allow for creative expression through diverse pieces. A practical tip for optimal placement is to hang art at eye level, typically around 57 to 60 inches from the floor, ensuring a harmonious connection between the art and the viewer.
Lighting
Lighting can dramatically change how an artwork appears. Natural light enhances most art pieces, but if your room lacks ample sunlight, consider installing art-specific lighting. Adjustable lighting also allows you to change the mood, highlighting different aspects of the artwork at different times.
Embrace Unique Art: Commissioning and Acquiring ‘One-Off’ Pieces
Commissioning Custom Artwork
Commissioning a piece of art offers a unique opportunity to possess something truly personal and exclusive. You can collaborate directly with an artist to bring your vision to life or ask them to create something that complements your space’s style and colour palette. This process not only gives you a one-of-a-kind piece but also allows you to support the artists’ craft. Ensure you choose an artist whose style you admire and resonate with. Commissioning art is a process that can take time, but the end result – a piece that perfectly fits your space and personality – is worth the wait.
Collaborating with Local Artists
Engaging local artists is a fantastic way to acquire unique art pieces while supporting your local art community. Local artists often infuse their work with a touch of the local culture, scenery, or spirit, which can add an extra layer of storytelling to your interior design (as discussed earlier). Find inspiration by visiting local art galleries, art fairs, or even artists’ studios. Not only will this give you a sense of the local art scene, but it also gives you the opportunity to discover emerging talents before they gain widespread recognition.
Acquiring ‘One-Off’ Pieces
‘One-off’ pieces, or artworks that are unique and not mass-produced, bring a distinct charm to your home. These pieces can be conversation starters due to their uniqueness and the stories behind them.
When acquiring these pieces, extensive research needs to be carried out to understand the artist’s background, the artwork’s story, and the value it might bring to your space. You might find these ‘one-off’ pieces in art auctions, art galleries, or even on your travels.
Express Yourself!
Lastly, your home should be a reflection of who you are. Choose art for the home that tells your story, expresses your personality, or represents something meaningful to you. It might be a painting of a place that you hold close to your heart, a piece by a local artist you admire, or even a commissioned piece that is bespoke to you.
Remember, there are no hard and fast rules when choosing art for your home. It’s all about finding what you love and creatively incorporating it into your space.
The beauty of art lies in its ability to communicate with us on a personal level. Whether it’s a commissioned piece, a work by a local artist, or a ‘one-off’ acquisition, the goal is to create a space that reflects your taste and tells your unique story.
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