The beauty of a home lies in the details. Of course, the furniture, selection of colours, and design layout of your home are all important factors, but it is often the finer details that can actually create the greatest impact. For centuries art has been an imperative part of home decor, with many enthusiasts spending thousands of dollars on unique and rare pieces.
Art in the home is a powerful tool that often reflects the unique style and personality of its owners, while effortlessly defining the space it occupies and shaping the greater atmosphere of a room. What’s brilliant about wall art is that it doesn’t only serve to decorate, it’s transformative. Yet for those who do not necessarily have a natural eye for art, how does one choose pieces that work for your home?
Focal point
Wall art is a great way to create a central focus to a room. When selecting art, pay attention to the size; if you wish to make a defining statement, choose larger pieces that are 100cm in length or greater. Smaller artworks by virtue of their size tend to be less conspicuous in a space, but go well in pairs or groups of three to six hangings. Carefully organise the collection of pieces on the same wall to create a visual display that begs the viewers’ eye to wander and explore the unique curation. Works by the same artist complement each other well. Always be sure to take measurements of the wall before purchasing any artwork to ensure it will fit within the desired space.
Rotating gallery
Display artwork that you love and turn your home into your own personal gallery. When visiting, guests get a taste of your style, inspiration and preference of art. Every once in a while, try switching up pieces from other areas within the home to create a rotating gallery, and create new and different themes to keep things fresh and interesting.
Contrast
Wall art, whether paintings, geometric shapes or even wall-to-wall murals, have the ability to bring diversity to a room and allow you to play with colour. If you have coloured paint on the walls, find wall art that compliments but provides an eye-catching difference to the space. Also placing colourful artwork in a plain white area, such as a bathroom, can help brighten up the area and make it more inviting. A general rule is that your most significant piece of artwork should have a background colour that matches your wall colour. Make use of mirrors to reflect art. Reflections make the room look larger and duplicate the appearance of all wall art. Stick to black and whites when in doubt about colour. Black and white match everything while also adding to the elegance of a structure.
Final look
Artwork should always be the final touch that brings a room together. Sometimes we make the mistake of trying to force a piece into a space which may not always work. Instead, shape the style of the room around the piece. Take prominent colours from the artwork and repeat them through other decorative elements, such as cushions or throws. The artwork will then be a beautiful final touch to ensure your home looks just like a page from one of your favourite magazines. Finally, trust your natural instincts; it does not need to be perfectly matching to be a beautiful room but is more important to surround yourself with things you love.
