Have you ever wondered why art is important in your home?
Art is not just about buying a random piece and hanging it on the wall. It is more than that…. It is something that can instantly influence the mood in any room.
Imagine entering a room that instantly transforms your tired, exhausted and emotionally stressed state of mind into a feeling of peace, inspiration or joy?
Wouldn’t you you feel good?
That’s the subtle but powerful effect art can have on a space! Art isn’t just about decoration — it’s about creating an atmosphere that speaks to you!
It sets an emotional tone.
Therefore, the secret lies in carefully choosing the right piece of art and knowing where it belongs.
Whether it’s a calming landscape in your bedroom or a vibrant abstract painting in your living room, the artwork you choose will directly influence the energy of the space.
It’s also a form of self-expression. Your home is a reflection of your personality, and the art you choose to display should tell your story.
Whether it’s a piece that inspires you or one that brings back fond memories, art adds a personal touch to your space that makes it your home.
Let’s say you have a piece of art that reminds you of your travels. If you display it in your dining room, it not only adds color, but also sparks conversation and brings back fond memories every time you sit down for your meal.
Or if you are a minimalist, you might want to add artworks with minimalist black and white sketches to complement your modern, uncluttered living room.
One of the main aspects that many of us overlook is finding the right balance with the existing furniture and furnishings you already have in the room.
Let us say you have an already furnished room with different elements, and choosing the right paintings can give it a cohesive and balanced look.
or let us say you have a living room with neutral furniture and light-colored walls. A large piece of abstract artwork with rich earthy tones can add depth and warmth to the space without overwhelming it.
Or if your space has a lot of pattern, such as a heavily patterned rug or curtains, a simple, monochromatic piece of art can provide a visual calmness that creates balance and prevents the room from looking too cluttered.
In simple words, art can balance the elements in your room by giving it a cohesive look.
So choosing the right artwork is key!
Another important factor of art is that it can reduce stress and promote feelings of happiness. Studies have shown that looking at art can reduce stress and promote feelings of calm and happiness.
Read this review paper – Evidence for the effects of viewing visual artwork on stress outcomes.
Imagine the calming effect of a nature-inspired painting in your living room — it brings the tranquility of nature to the indoors.
By surrounding yourself with art that speaks to you, you can create a space that not only looks good, but also feels good, creating a positive and uplifting environment.
The Impact of Art on Interior Design
Let us examine how art may improve your interior design and turn your room into a work of art.
When we think about buying a painting, one very important factor to consider is the focal point of a room, which most of us overlook.
Wondering what a focal point is?
A focal point is the area in a room that immediately draws the viewer’s attention. It can also be referred to as the center point.
When you focus on focal point, choose art that resonates with you. Something striking!
It could be just one large piece of art.
Or
It could be an arrangement of several small paintings that follows a specific theme.
Whatever that maybe, placing the right painting on your focal point is going to make a big difference, especially if chosen in the right way that complements your furniture, wall paint and decor.
Imagine walking into a living room where a bold abstract painting immediately draws attention, like Jackson Pollock’s “No. 5, 1948”. This draws our eyes to it and sets the tone of the entire room.
If you are someone who is obsessed with minimalist interiors with clean lines and neutral tones, then you should try adding a little color to the space, to give it some depth without cluttering it. In my personal opinion, the paintings of Wassily Kandinsky would be a good choice for such a room.
In a more rustic or bohemian setting, on the other hand, a nature-inspired work such as a landscape by Claude Monet can go well with the natural, tranquil mood.
Another theme would be how a soft, textured painting with subtle metallic tones could add warmth and sophistication to a minimalist dining room, reflecting light in a way that enhances the room’s simple, elegant aesthetic.
Whether you’re redesigning an entire room or doing a makeover of an existing room, It’s not just about choosing a piece of art that you like — it’s about choosing art that harmonizes with the overall theme and energy of your home.
Easy Ways to Use Art in Your Interior Design
I want to give you some practical tips on how to incorporate art into your home to create a space that reflects your style and personality.
Here are some simple ways to use art in your interior design.
Choose artwork that reflects your personality
Art should be a reflection of your personality. Think about what speaks to you — whether it’s abstract works, serene landscapes or portraits.
If you’re into bold and vibrant art, you might go for something with bright colors and eye-catching paintings. But if you prefer a softer look, a gentle watercolor piece might be just what you’re looking for.
Your art should evoke emotions and memories that are meaningful to you.
Create a gallery wall
A gallery wall is a fantastic way to display multiple pieces of art in a cohesive way.
(In this post I have included 15 Free Canva templates you can download to add your artworks and see how it looks on the wall by playing around with different styles)
Start by choosing a theme or color scheme to unify your collection.
For example, you could set up a gallery wall with a mix of black and white photographs and abstract prints that match your existing décor. This way, you can display a variety of works while maintaining a balanced and cohesive look.
Consider scale and placement
When placing works of art, consider the scale of the work in relation to the space.
Large, expressive works fit well above sofas or beds, while smaller works can be grouped in smaller areas such as hallways or above a console table.
Have you seen the large, dramatic work such as Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss”?
It is a perfect example to take center stage above a mantelpiece or in a spacious living room.
Conversely, a series of smaller botanical prints can beautifully decorate a hallway or breakfast nook, adding a touch of nature to everyday life.
Balance Art with your furnishings
Art should complement your existing décor, not compete with it.
If you have a lot of patterned furniture or bright colors, opt for more subtle artwork that will enhance your decor rather than overpower it.
On the other hand, if your room is more neutral, bold and colorful artwork can be the perfect choice.
For example, in a minimalist room with neutral tones , you could either opt for subtle minimalist art with clean line art or simple abstract art.
or in my personal opinion I would prefer to add a bit of color in order to balance the neutral tone of the room.
On the other hand while a room with eclectic patterns might do better with muted, monochromatic art.
Next is try to Incorporate art into functional spaces
Don’t limit art to the walls — think about incorporating it into other areas of your home.
Art can be used on functional items such as custom printed textiles, decorative trays or even as part of your furniture design.
Imagine, for example, a set of cushions adorned with your favorite abstract motifs, adding both comfort and style to your living area.
It’s not just about decorating with art alone, it’s about creating an ambience that makes you feel comfortable and enriches your daily life.
I hope these tips inspire you to explore how art can be integrated into your interior design.
Creating Stunning Spaces with Art
Let me show you how you can design your spaces spaces with art, including practical steps to create stunning art-centered interiors.
Define your design goals
Before you start selecting and placing artwork, take a moment to define your design goals.
What do you want to achieve with your space?
Do you want to create a calm and cozy ambience, a lively entertainment area or a sophisticated office?
For example, if you want to create a relaxing bedroom, choose artwork with calming colors and soft themes, such as tranquil seascapes or abstract compositions that radiate a sense of calmness.
Choose a color palette
Art can help define and unify a color palette for your space.
Start by choosing a color scheme that complements your existing decor or sets the tone for your design.
If you’re working with a neutral space, you can add a pop of color with a bright, modern abstract painting.
In a room with rich, bold colors, a piece with complementary tones, such as a warm-toned landscape, can enhance the energy of the space without overwhelming it.
Consider scale and proportion
The size of your artwork should be proportionate to the size of the wall or room in which it is to be displayed.
Large works of art make a clear statement and can be an eye-catcher in larger rooms.
In contrast, smaller works or a series of smaller pieces work well in compact spaces, such as above a side table or in a hallway.
Use art to create zones
In open or multifunctional spaces, art can help to define different areas.
For example, a large piece of art can visually separate the living area from the dining area in an open space.
Similarly, a series of artworks can create a gallery-like zone in a hallway or stairwell.
Consider using a consistent style or theme to tie the zones together and improve the overall flow and cohesion of the space.
Plan your layout
Before hanging or placing your artwork, plan your layout.
Use painter’s tape to sketch the size and placement of the artwork on the wall, or lay the pieces out on the floor to visualise their arrangement.
For gallery walls, arrange the pieces on the floor first to experiment with different configurations.
This way you can ensure a balanced and aesthetically pleasing arrangement before drilling holes in the wall or making permanent fixings.
Here’s is a related post on How to hang art on your wall- 7 simple steps where I have explained how to hang art using the 7 simple steps.
Bringing your vision to life
By carefully selecting and arranging art, you can create a space that feels like you and emphasizes your lifestyle.
Here’s the link below for your free Canva template to explore different gallery wall styles.
It’s fully editable, so you can easily add your artworks and see how everything will come together before making any final decisions.
Gallery Wall Templates: Plan and visualize your gallery wall arrangements.
Remember, planning might take a bit of your time, but it’s so worth it. It’s better to take a moment now rather than rush into things, only to realize later that it didn’t turn out the way you hoped for and by then , ou’ve already ruined the walls.
It might feel overwhelming at first, but careful planning now will save you a lot of stress later on. Trust me!
