Sometimes, choosing artwork for your home can feel incredibly daunting. Other times, it becomes just one of the many (many) practical design decisions you have to make.
Since that’s kind of the exact opposite of what art is all about, we want to give you the power back. We’re about to shine a light on what really matters when choosing those special pieces for your home and bring the joy back to curating a collection. Oh, and don’t worry, we’ll throw in any need-to-know practical tips along the way too.
Trust your gut
Art can be a great unifier or a great divider. What speaks volumes to you might fall silent for others… and that’s what makes it all so exciting! If you love a piece, if it makes you feel, if it gives you butterflies just by glancing at it, don’t let anybody tell you it’s not right for your home. You’ll be the one passing by it every day and if it brings you joy, we say bring it into your space.
Image by Nigel Hoare
Think about what you want
What you ‘want’ might be a limited edition print, a hand-crafted sculpture, or a framed acrylic canvas, but we’re not talking about the medium here. Instead, we’re thinking of the atmosphere you want to create and how the art you choose can help you get there.
Are you designing a bedroom to feel tranquil and calm with complimenting neutral shades? Are you halfway through a dark and moody dining room remodel? Or, do you sense your hallway could use a refresh with a brighter, more welcoming colour palette? Think about how you want to feel in the space and use that as a jumping-off point. Not only will this help you find the right artwork for your home as it is now, but it’ll also help you discover pieces you truly connect with and that you want to experience and grown with for countless years to come.
Consider your colour scheme
This doesn’t mean noting down the shades in a given room and then finding artwork to match. This is more about making sure the art pieces you choose complement not only the colours but also the most cherished decor items in your home. Take a neutral room in shades of white, beige, and taupe for example. A hand-carved wooden or stone sculpture will, of course, work perfectly in a space like this. But, if you’re hoping to inject new life and energy into the room, you might opt for a vibrant watercolour to contrast it instead. Don’t be afraid to mix up genres and colour palettes to achieve a look that’s unique and therefore more meaningful to you.
Measure the space (then measure it again)
Is this the most exhilarating tip on our list? Nope. Is it one of the most important? You betcha. Whilst we’re definitely of the mindset that choosing artwork is all about passion, joy, and wonder, if it doesn’t fit the space, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t measure up whilst you passionately study the returns policy.
This isn’t such an issue for smaller pieces like coffee table sculptures and vases. These pieces can often look just as good in multiple locations. But, if we’re talking about, say, an enormous textured canvas, once you’re sure it fits aesthetically, be absolutely sure it fits physically before you commit. Measure where it’s going, measure any doors it has to fit through and make sure the wall can take the weight.
Image by Behnam Mohsenzadeh
Opt for artwork that takes up space
It’s estimated that roughly 20,000 people stop by The Louvre to see The Mona Lisa every single day. However, if it was on display next to somebody’s fridge or on a rogue shelf in the spare bedroom, we doubt Da Vinci’s masterpiece would be racking up 10 million visitors per year. That is to say, where you position your artwork is everything. You’ve poured your heart into finding a piece you love so think about where you’ll get to see and experience it multiple times a day, where you’ll get the most out of the work and where it will make the biggest impact in your home. Get this right and the rest of your space will practically design itself.
Artwork by Designsnitch Maker, Tayisiya
Choose pieces that speak to you
Making sure the artwork you choose works in the intended room is important, but if you’re likely to go off of it in six months, it’s not worth the investment. To make sure you only select work you’ll adore for decades - choose with your heart and not your head.
Which colours have you loved since childhood and still favour to this day? Are there certain patterns you repeatedly gravitate towards in your wardrobe? Have you always been into neutrals or do bright colours tend to steal your attention? Answer these questions before searching and the right pieces will make themselves known.
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