Selecting artwork for your home doesn’t have to be intimidating!
Art is inspiring. Art is uplifting. Art is one of the elements that can turn a house into a home, because it is a reflection of what sparks YOU. Sometimes, whole rooms are designed around a much loved art piece. At other times, we look for artwork that enhances the mood of the room.
While it is useful to integrate art into the design vision for the space, there is also much value in selecting art as an afterthought. Regardless of the timing, art is an important part of creating a finished space. Mainly, it creates a focal point for a wall. It adds color, pattern and a sense of texture to the walls at eye level, creating visual interest and movement as you walk through a space.
Artwork comes in various subjects and forms - there really aren’t any rules about the style of art that is good for your space. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and that makes art very subjective. It is also interactive in that it is a form of expression by the artist and elicits a reaction from anyone that observes it!
A good starting place for assessing the artwork is whether a piece speaks to you. Don’t select art simply because it matches your decor. Do consider the size of the art piece in relation to the space where it will be displayed; proportion and placement weigh significantly into whether the art ‘works’ in a space. And this is where a designer’s eye can assess your artwork needs and/or guide you with suggestions for placing your existing artwork.
Pops of color in artwork add instant cheer to a space!
Art with curves and organic movement is perfect for a long, narrow hallway
Below are some simple tips to keep in mind when selecting and using artwork in your home.
Original art
The best place to source original art is straight from the artist or through galleries representing the artist. Since it can be quite an investment, you should definitely plan on seeing the artwork in person. Take your time deciding on the pieces. What you are looking for is an emotional response to the work, something that moves you. Local art shows are a great way to discover new artists. You want to make sure you end up with something you absolutely love and will continue to appreciate for a long time.
Digital images
A more affordable option and easily available, these can vary in quality. Look for images printed on quality, archival or art paper for a higher end feel. You can also find original images reproduced by the artist on canvas. These are great for the textural quality. Oftentimes, original artists offer prints of their original work. This is a great source of art since it will be more affordable than the original, the artist is still accredited, and you are more likely to have a better quality image (and paper). Some vendors also offer digital images that are overlaid with embellishment to appear realistic.
Photographs
The best way to bring a bit of you into your home. Surround yourself with pictures of people you love and good memories. Photographs are a great personal touch to mix in with the artwork around your home. They do wonders to shelf styling. They create interest in hallways, stairways and entrances because people will actually stop and look as they’re walking by. Black and white photographs make a dramatic statement. For photographs that stand out, experiment printing on different types of paper such as silk or metallic.
Kids art
Bright, colorful and innocent art created by children is so powerful. Displaying your kids’ art will make you feel very connected to your space because of your connection to them. And don’t worry about whether it is good enough for your walls; use modern frames to add a polished edge and voila. It is the easiest way to personalize your space and make your kids feel proud of their creations. Family rooms, hallways and kitchens are the best rooms for this!
Frames
For a modern look, choose frames with clean straight lines and a minimal profile. For an eclectic look, you don’t need to pay attention to the type of frame; it is more about creating an assorted look, so the more varied the style of frame, the richer the look of the grouping.
Floater frames are a special type of frame that give the illusion of the picture floating inside the frame. It’s a way to elevate the artwork and set it away from the frame. This style of framing is great for art with an interesting edge or texture. It beautifully showcases mementoes. Stretched canvas paintings also look great in this type of frame.
Matting
To mat or not? Generally, smaller art pieces are elevated by matting. Larger pieces can take a narrower mat width or have no matting at all. I love matted personal photographs; white space between the photograph and frame calls attention to the special memory.
Mounting Height
The rule of thumb is to mount art so that the center of the piece is at your eye level. On average, this is 60” above the floor. However, think about the room in which the art will be displayed. If you will be mostly sitting (living room, for example), you would want to hang the artwork a tad lower. If you will be mostly standing, for example in a hallway, a little higher than average would make sense. A gallery wall can be created by clustering many pieces with a centerline of 60”H.
Also, you don’t have to hang all your art! You can simply lean some pieces against the wall. Fireplaces and shelves are great places to do this. You might even hang the main piece of art and layer a leaning piece in front of it for a more casual look.
A modern gallery wall binds various styles of art with a minimal frame profile.
Lean layered artwork against a wall for a casual, collected vibe.
Displaying art with other collectibles is a great way to treasure your travels.
I hope I have offered some value in demystifying the world of wall art & encouraged you to take a step towards making selections.
If you need help finding the perfect artwork for your budget or help with art placement in your home, let’s talk! Don’t hold off on selecting artwork for your home because this is the one of the best ways to make your home yours!