If you want to upgrade your home decor, adding some art is a great place to start! From affordable printable art you can use for wall hangings to unique sculptures you can use as accent pieces for your spaces, art is the perfect solution for your interior design aspirations!
When choosing artwork for your interior spaces, start by considering the room's size and function. Large, open rooms can handle bigger, more impactful art pieces, while smaller spaces might benefit from smaller pieces like framed artwork. Consider how the art will interact with existing furniture and decor to ensure it complements rather than clashes with the room’s overall interior design.
Art for Living Rooms
In living rooms, choose art that acts as a focal point or conversation starter. This is often the space where people gather and socialize, so bold and striking pieces work well. Consider large-scale paintings, abstract works, or iconic prints that can draw attention and set the tone for the room. A gallery wall with a mix of different art styles and frames can also create visual interest and reflect your personal taste.
Art for Bedrooms
For bedrooms, opt for calming and personal artwork that contributes to a relaxing atmosphere. Soft, soothing colors and gentle themes, such as serene landscapes or abstract pieces with calming tones, can create a tranquil retreat. Consider art that reflects your personal interests or memories, as this adds a personal touch to your bedroom’s decor.
Art for Dining Areas
Dining areas benefit from vibrant, engaging art that stimulates conversation and enhances the dining experience. Choose pieces that complement the color scheme and overall ambiance of the dining space. Bold colors, lively patterns, or artwork featuring food and drink themes can add a touch of fun and energy to the room. Ensure the art doesn’t overpower the space but rather complements the dining experience.
Art for Office Spaces
In office spaces, select art that is both inspirational and motivating. Art that encourages creativity, provides a sense of calm, or promotes focus can enhance productivity. Abstract works, motivational quotes, or artwork with soothing colors can help create a pleasant and productive work environment. Consider art that aligns with your professional goals or personal aspirations to keep you motivated throughout the workday.
Understanding Color Schemes
Color Theory Basics
Understanding color theory is crucial for selecting art that harmonizes with your space. Color theory involves the principles of how colors interact with each other and how they influence mood and perception. Basic color schemes include complementary colors (opposites on the color wheel), analogous colors (next to each other on the wheel), and triadic colors (three equally spaced colors). Using these principles helps create visual harmony and balance in your art selection.
Matching Art with Wall Colors
When choosing art, consider how the colors in the artwork will interact with your wall color. For walls painted in neutral shades, bold and vibrant artwork can add a splash of color and create a striking contrast. Conversely, if your walls are already colorful, opt for artwork with complementary or analogous colors to maintain a cohesive look. The key is to ensure that the art either complements or contrasts with the wall color in a way that enhances the overall aesthetic of the room.
Choosing Art Based on Room Palette
Align your art choices with the room’s overall color palette, including furniture, textiles, and accessories. Select artwork that either integrates well with existing colors or introduces a new color accent that ties the room together.
For a cohesive look, use art to reflect the room’s color scheme or to introduce a contrasting color that provides a pop of interest. This approach ensures that your art enhances the room’s design and contributes to a unified and visually appealing space.
Types of Art for Indoor Spaces
Framed Prints and Paintings
Framed prints and paintings are classic choices for indoor art, offering a wide range of styles and themes to suit any decor. Framed prints, often featuring iconic images or artistic reproductions, add a touch of sophistication and can be easily matched to existing color schemes. Paintings, whether original or reproductions provide depth and personality to a room. Opt for frames that complement your furniture and decor, ensuring that the artwork stands out without overwhelming the space.
Canvas Art
Canvas art is known for its contemporary appeal and texture, making it a popular choice for modern interiors. Canvas prints can be stretched or gallery-wrapped, giving them a clean and polished look that suits a variety of design styles. The absence of a frame allows for a more seamless integration into the space, making canvas art ideal for creating a focal point or adding a splash of color. Canvas pieces often work well in both minimalistic and eclectic decor.
Sculptures and 3D Art
Sculptures and 3D art bring a unique dimension to indoor spaces, adding depth and interest. Sculptures can range from small, intricate pieces to large, statement installations, making them versatile for different room sizes. They work particularly well in entryways, living rooms, or open spaces where they can be viewed from multiple angles. 3D art can include wall-mounted sculptures or freestanding pieces that enhance the texture experience of the room.
Textile Art
Textile art, such as tapestries, fabric wall hangings, and quilts, introduces warmth and texture to indoor spaces. These pieces often feature intricate designs and can add a cozy, inviting element to the decor. Textile art is particularly effective in adding a personal touch to bedrooms or living rooms, where its softness can complement other fabrics in the room, such as cushions and curtains. Consider textile art for its visual and tactile qualities, which can enhance the overall ambiance of the space.
Unique Ways to Display Art
Displaying your art is one of the best parts! There are many different ways to style your art once you have decided what type of art you want in your home and where you want to put it.
Gallery Walls
Gallery walls offer a dynamic and personalized way to display multiple pieces of art in a cohesive arrangement. This display style involves grouping various artworks together, often in a mix of sizes and frames, to create an engaging visual impact. To design a successful gallery wall, plan your layout on the floor or wall with templates before hanging, ensuring a balanced composition. Use frames of different styles and colors to add depth and interest, and mix media such as prints, photos, and paintings for a diverse and eye-catching display.
Floating Frames and Shadow Boxes
Floating frames and shadow boxes offer innovative framing options that enhance the visual impact of your art. Floating frames create a sense of depth by allowing the artwork to appear as if it's suspended between two panes of glass, giving it a modern and sleek look. Shadow boxes, on the other hand, provide a three-dimensional effect by adding depth and dimension to the artwork, making them perfect for displaying items like textiles, small objects, or mixed media pieces. Both options can add a unique touch to your art display and highlight the details of the artwork.
Art Shelves and Ledges
Art shelves and ledges provide a flexible and accessible way to display art that allows for easy updates and rearrangements. By using floating shelves or picture ledges, you can showcase a collection of art pieces, sculptures, or decorative objects. This method is ideal for those who like to frequently change their displays or for spaces where wall mounting is not possible. Arrange art at varying heights and pair it with other decorative elements to create a layered and visually appealing presentation.
Incorporating Art into Functional Spaces
Integrating art into functional spaces, such as staircases, hallways, and bathrooms, can enhance these often-overlooked areas with personality and style. Use staircases as a gallery for a series of related artworks or photographs, creating a visual journey as you ascend. Hallways can be transformed into art galleries or exhibit spaces for a rotating selection of pieces. In bathrooms, consider waterproof art prints or framed prints in coordinating colors to add a touch of creativity while maintaining practicality. These creative placements ensure that every part of your home reflects your style.
Maintaining and Refreshing Art Displays
Proper Care for Art
Maintaining the condition of your art is crucial to preserving its beauty and longevity. Different types of art require specific care: framed prints and paintings should be dusted regularly with a soft, dry cloth, and protected from direct sunlight to prevent fading. Canvas art can be cleaned gently with a soft brush or a vacuum with a brush attachment to remove dust. For sculptures and 3D art, regular dusting and occasional deep cleaning, using appropriate cleaning agents for the material, will help maintain their appearance. Always handle artwork with clean hands or gloves to avoid transferring oils or dirt.
Updating Your Art Collection
Refreshing your art collection can rejuvenate your space and keep it feeling dynamic. Consider rotating artwork seasonally or when you redecorate to give different pieces a moment in the spotlight. Updating your art doesn’t necessarily mean replacing it; rearranging existing pieces or swapping out a few for new ones can create a fresh look. You might also consider incorporating new art styles or mediums to reflect current trends or personal interests, ensuring that your space remains engaging and reflects your evolving tastes.
Storage and Preservation
Proper storage and preservation of artwork are essential for maintaining its condition, especially if you need to temporarily remove pieces from display. Store artworks in a climate-controlled environment to prevent damage from humidity or extreme temperatures. Use archival-quality materials like acid-free paper and protective sleeves for prints and photographs. For large or delicate pieces, consider using custom storage solutions to avoid creasing or warping. Properly stored art remains in excellent condition, ready to be reintroduced to your display whenever desired.