The Simple Guide to Selecting Art

Whether you’re looking for wall art to inspire your home décor or if you’re searching for a beautiful piece to finish off your current design, it’s easier than you think to choose a great piece of art. Wall art helps to draw the eye, allowing you to express yourself and making your home even more inviting.

No matter how big or small your space, budget, or experience might be, here are a few simple tips from Love & Co for choosing wall art that complements your home.

The Rules

Of course, the most important rule is – there are no real rules. Art is about expressing your individuality and taste as much as working with your space, so no two homes will be decorated in exactly the same way.

For that reason, choose art that you actually like. If it doesn’t make you feel good to look at, you shouldn’t bother to invest in it. By working with pieces that inspire you, you’ll find it much easier to achieve cohesion and make the most of your space.

While there aren’t any rules, there are some guidelines that can help you choose the right art for the areas you live in.

Pick Your Size

There are many different sizes to choose from, and they tend to be used in different ways. Oversized art generally acts as a standalone piece, creating a focal point for the room. Depending on the size of the wall, you could hang large wall art alone or complement it with other pieces on each side. Medium artworks often work best when grouped together, while smaller pieces can be creatively used in reduced spaces or grouped together in collections.

Have a look at the rest of the room and your wall space before deciding on the size and number of your art pieces. You can make the most of your carefully selected art by giving it room to stand out – that means spacing it away from your furniture and giving each piece the chance to shine.

Pick Your Style

Style is another deeply personal choice, so go with a cohesive style that you like. Pieces don’t have to match perfectly, but just incorporate similar elements. An easy way to do that is to find an artist you like – even if the pieces are different, the artist’s techniques will keep the style complementary.

Another good way to make sure your art works well is to keep a theme in mind. It’s helpful for designing your room as well as ensuring your art matches the space. You might draw inspiration from nature with a beachy or tropical theme, or even from a source like a brand or designer’s style. Having a theme in mind makes it easier to go shopping.

Colour Your World

Have a look around your room, and pick out the colours that you already have to work with. In general, if you bring a colour into your room you’ll need to introduce it in at least two or three places so it all ties in.

You can emphasise a colour by choosing different shades – for example, lighter blues in an art piece look great against a darker blue wall. You can also take inspiration from the colour wheel, making sure the colours are complementary. When in doubt, black and white is always a sleek and sophisticated choice.

Get Crafty

You don’t need to be the next Picasso to create truly great art. There are plenty of easy techniques that anyone can do, with a bit of time and practise. Not only can you save money, it’s a lot easier to get exactly what you want in terms of shape, colour and size.

There are plenty of online resources to help you on your way. Acrylic pours, masking tape art, and pieces using natural materials can look genuinely impressive, and are relatively easy for beginners. You could look into getting your own high-quality photos printed onto canvas, or have a go at some charcoal sketches and invest in a frame.

Generally abstract designs will be easier to achieve, but it’s worth trialling any style that appeals to you. Many areas host “Paint and Sip” classes where you can enjoy a drink and good company while you’re guided as you create a piece of art. If you’re on a budget but don’t feel the artistic urge, op shops are a great place to start looking, or support some local artists at a market near you.

Art Done Right

Ultimately, the best art is art that makes you feel inspired, and you should keep a plan in mind for how your art pieces will fit with the space and with each other. A theme, a general idea of style, and a colour palette will help you to recognise the perfect pieces when you see them, and help make your home a stylish, welcoming, and inspiring place to be.