Picking the right piece of artwork for your home can be a tricky business and one of the most challenging when it comes to home decor. If you’re not an artist or work in a gallery, you may even feel overwhelmed at the thought of which artwork you want on your own walls. Not only should it reflect your personal tastes, but whatever art you choose also has to complement your interior in terms of color, style, size, and fashion. From commissions to street art, deciding on the artwork which will work best in which room is likely to have a huge impact on a space. Despite the never-ending possibilities, there are certain tips and tricks you can use to help you out.
Shop around and research online
Keeping on the lookout for art all the time will help you determine what you like and what’s best suited for your home. Visit galleries, art auctions, and even thrift shops, and if a coffee shop is exhibiting a local artist, go check them out. You never know when art will jump out at you, but when it does, you’ll know it’s the perfect piece. If there are particular artists that you like, then start reading up on them: what inspires them, for example? Similarly, go online and find art platforms and auctions where you can find one-off pieces or limited prints. The more you shop, the more likely you’ll find what you’re looking for.
If you’re buying original art online, make sure you have a certificate of authenticity and that they are delivered by certified professionals. According to professional fine art shippers in New York, Classic F.A., ‘all stock is reviewed, photographed for condition, packed and digitally entered into your inventory’ so you can be safe in the knowledge your art will arrive in perfect condition.
Decide on the space
While you’re getting to grips with the style of art you like the most, you should also be considering what room your artwork will end up in. What is the overall feel you want to achieve in a room? Do you want one large piece or a collection of smaller pieces? As a general rule, displaying art that is too small isn’t usually recommended. If you do find a small piece of artwork that you adore, think about putting it in a large frame to make it look bigger. Don’t forget to measure the space before you actually buy art; otherwise, you might find it doesn’t look right!
Another consideration is the room where your art will be hung. For example, a bedroom is a place where we relax, so you probably don’t want anything too busy. Alternatively, do you want to make a statement in your living room whereby the art becomes a focal talking point?
Getting the color right
It’s quite common to choose artwork that matches the color palette of a space. However, sometimes you might want to think about choosing artwork with colors that are the exact opposite of your home decor colors. That said, white walls will complement most pieces of artwork but observe how you see other art arranged, either online or in person, to give you ideas of what works. Just don’t go overboard with matching colors; otherwise, it could end up too hectic for the space.
Another good tip is to think about what atmosphere you want in a space. Calming or dramatic?
While there are a few considerations to think about when it comes to colors, ultimately, look for artwork that draws you to it rather than getting too caught up in matching the colors.
Arranging it to fit the space
The general rule for hanging art is that it should be placed at eye level. Although this is going to differ from person to person, it’s acceptable to use the ’57 inches’ rule. This means you should hang it 57 inches, roughly 5 feet, from the floor, so it’s placed around the eye level of the average person. The focus should be the center of the art. It’s a good idea that when you visit art galleries, to take a look – and maybe, even a tape measure – to see how their art is displayed. Obviously, if you have a low ceiling, this will affect the positioning of the artwork, but if you’ve chosen the artwork accordingly, then this shouldn’t be a problem.
However, one bit of advice you should follow is to keep the art away from natural light as it will cause the colors to fade in time. If the room always has natural light, it would be advisable to choose prints or less expensive artwork.
Whatever artwork you choose – original, commissioned, or mass-produced, the ultimate bit of advice is to buy something you absolutely love. It’s a great way to bring something unique into your home, and after all, you want it to make you smile as you’ll be looking at it every day!