How to choose the right Art for your Home

Mar 24, 2023

Make it style seamless

Choose art that is going to blend seamlessly into your existing or post-renovation home décor style. Is your home style more traditional? Coastal? Minimalist? Industrial or a wee bit Glam?

What if I don't know what my style is?

If you are a little unsure of what your style is, or how to describe it, here’s a quick interior designer’s tool that I found online to help you work it out. Figure out your style by clicking here

Don't be blinded by love

But what if I fall in love with a piece of art that clashes with the style of my home?

In all honesty, you are best to keep walking or scrolling past. Unless you could see it working in a dedicated space, it is just going to create lots of décor friction. Apply a 'no regrets' filter to your purchase decision.

Decide if your art is playing big or playing small

In other words, do you want your art to be the star of the show in a room or a support act? If you want it to be the focal point of the room, that will influence the position, size and intensity of the art piece. If not, something more subtle, possibly smaller, but definitely less imposing, is the way to go.

Choose your focal point

Every room needs a focal point, but one focal point is definitely enough. Your focal point could be art, lighting, a rug, a feature wall or a piece of furniture. I personally like my focal point to be something that is easy to change out. That way you can create a new look without incurring too much fuss or cost.

Size always matters

The scale of the artwork relative to its display position is often where problems can emerge. In most cases, the size of the artwork is too small for the space that it has been chosen for. While cost can be a constraining factor in choosing the size of a piece of art, if it is going to be the star of the show, it really does need to be at the right scale.

Scale rules of thumb

Placements above the bed - art should span 60-75% of your headboard
Placements in the Dining room – art should span 60-75% of the width of a sideboard or dining table
Placements above an entranceway table – art should span almost the full length, but never over
Placements without furniture - If the art is not anchored to a piece of furniture, it should take up a large amount of the wall space.

Shopping Tip

Always measure the furniture that your art is going to hang above before you go art hunting.

Configuration is your friend

If you a struggling to find a piece of art that has the right dimensions, another option to consider is looking for two or more complementary pieces that collectively have the scale you need. Remember to include the 10 to 20 cm space you will need between the prints in your measurements. This works particularly well above a bed or side unit or a large wall space.

Style of Art

Abstract, still life, landscape, monochromatic ... there are just some many styles of wall art to choose from that it can all start to feel a bit overwhelming.

As a photographer, the diversity of styles available in a photographic medium can deliver all the styles, textures and tones that you may be looking for in an art piece. If you are struggling with subject matter, nature photography is always a winner. As humans, nature has a magnetic quality that will have your family and guests enjoying your art for years to come.

Make sure you like it

Art is deeply personal and one of the key reasons that people buy art is because they fall in love with it. However, while that is certainly important, what you don’t’ want is a white elephant that clashes with everything else that you have in your space. So, liking it becomes just another box to tick and not the only box.

Get these tips sent to you inbox. Click here. Happy wall art hunting!

P.S. Please share this blog post with interested friends and family xx

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