Too often, when designing interiors and outdoor spaces, artwork is relegated to an afterthought. Yet, when chosen thoughtfully, art can transform a space and infuse it with personality and life experience. Here are our top tips on choosing art and creating a collection you will love for years.
Setting your priorities
There are no hard and fast rules but there are clear options. For starters, a well-chosen piece of wall art can be the finishing touch that brings together your decor and adds a personal stamp to your living space. But it can also be the signature statement piece that instigates the entire scheme. You choose.
What’s your style?
Remember, the most important thing is that you love the artwork. It's your home, and the art should reflect your tastes and interests and span the preferences of the home owners or other key family members.
Decide the mood you want to create Do you want a calming space, an energising interior, a welcoming environment or a fun design?
For a serene and calm room scheme, choose artwork with soft colours, such as pastels or neutral tones. Seascape or coastal paintings, florals, subtle abstracts or pieces with a gentle flow can create a soothing mood. Abstract or semi-abstract art can give a contemporary room a lift and a more sophisticated look.
To create an energising and inspiring mood, choose artwork featuring a vibrant scene, lively colours or strong bold shapes. If you want a welcoming and comforting space, consider choosing artwork that is warm, inviting and has a relaxing feel. Think about places that make you relaxed and art that reflects these sentiments.
Fix the focal point
When selecting wall decor, start by identifying the focal point: the first thing to catch your eye when you walk in.
This could be a large window with a beautiful view, a fireplace, the space above the sofa or bedhead, the wall behind the dining table or another prominent wall.
The art you choose should enhance this focal point, drawing attention and adding interest. For instance, if your fireplace is the focal point, a large piece of art or a series of smaller pieces above the mantel can complete the effect. Also consider if you want a visual echo of the main artwork somewhere else in the room.
Size matters
The size of your artwork affects its overall impact. Do you want one large piece of art above your sofa or a gallery wall of mixed pieces, arranged randomly or geometrically? Consider your wall space and choose accordingly. You can also mix it up, having a large artwork above your sofa plus a complementary gallery wall of smaller pieces on your chimney breast or in an alcove, for example.
Even in a modestly-sized room, a large piece of living room wall art can make a powerful statement, looking smart and confident, while smaller pieces can add nuanced touches. Think about viewing distances and furniture arrangements so the overall effect isn't too heavy or crammed. Does your artwork look better from a few feet away or do you need to get up close to really appreciate it?
Colour counts
Ideally, the colour palette of your artwork should complement the colour scheme of your room. This doesn’t mean that the colours in the artwork must match the room exactly – a bit of contrast can create a striking visual impact. But, for a harmonious look, consider choosing art including colours from your existing room décor.
If you have a very neutral room scheme (like white) it might look great with a pop of colour: it will lift the space and create a focal point.
Let there be light
Be aware of light sources in the room – both natural and ambient artificial light – they make a huge difference to what media you select, where you place it and how you enhance its effect. Some media (eg. watercolour) will fade or get damaged if in too much natural light.
Framing and glass
If you are buying an unframed piece or want to reframe it, there are many decisions to be made. Avoid frames that overwhelm or distract from the artwork or don't sit comfortably with its colour palette or style. For a special work behind glass, ask for advice on art glass or other non-reflective options and consider whether you want to make that further investment to preserve and enjoy the piece fully.
Makeover opportunities
A new artwork can be an ideal prompt to refresh your room – using the colour scheme or mood of the art piece as a trigger to choose affordable new accessories (lamps, cushions, rugs) to reflect the image palette and style or to change the room lay-out. Have fun experimenting.
Last but not least
- Use paper templates to place a size of artwork onto your wall before you buy – or mock it up digitally. You need to check out viewing height and placement on the wall.
- Ask the gallery to send you artwork images and sizes.
- See if the gallery can do a digital mock-up of your room with the artwork in place.
- Consider moisture levels in the room and buy appropriate media to work in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Think about small hands ands pets.
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