Picking the right piece of artwork to complement the space in your home can be daunting, especially if this is your first time. The right artwork helps boost the attractiveness of the home space and accentuates the homeowners’ personality.
However, with the overwhelming choices of original art available on the market, both in brick and mortar and online shops, settling down to just a few pieces can be challenging. You need to consider several factors before buying art. Here are five essential tips for selecting the right artwork for your interior decor.
Tip #1: Do not stress about the decision and shop around
The first and important tip when it comes to choosing artwork is to not stress about the decision. Unless you have a set timeline to follow, you should not hasten to buy a piece of artwork right after entering the first gallery. Instead of grabbing the first piece of art you like, consider shopping around to widen your selection. The market offers a broad range of options, so you should take advantage of it.
Seek advice from experts or experienced friends and family to make the selection easier. Some helpful questions you can ask yourself when choosing an artwork include:
- What kind of emotion do you want the art to show?
- Do you have any specific art style preference?
- Is there any color palette you want?
- What sort of style or feel do the furniture and other elements in your space have?
Tip #2: Consider the colors
Color is probably the number one thing homeowners get caught up in when looking to pick art since they generally try to choose art that matches their rooms’ colors. However, although matching some colors is completely acceptable, it is not the only technique.
Sometimes, the art’s colors can be in contrast with the elements already existing in the room. The right contrast can sometimes make the room more lively and exciting. In some cases, homeowners may opt for a simple black and white art. What matters most is that you choose art, which complements the space through colors or other things. Find a piece that appeals to you the most and stops trying to match the color perfectly.
Tip #3: Factor in the size and scale
Selecting art that is too small is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make. Choosing a bigger art is typically better when it comes to picking art. Take the wall space over a sofa, for instance. A good rule of thumb would be choosing art, which has around ⅔ of the sofa’s width or bigger. The same goes for the wall space over the bed.
Still, there is always an exception for every general rule. For instance, a few small art pieces work great in one display on a gallery wall. If you are attracted to a particular print or painting which is too small, you can try framing it with an extra-large matte to enhance its visual effect.
Tip #4: Do not be afraid to mix old and new art
Old and new pieces of artwork can strikingly complement one another. Hence, consider mixing art from different eras to create a compelling and robust collection. For instance, a piece of modern art can create an astounding focal point in a traditional space. Similarly, a classic piece of art can lend some conventional space a more contemporary feel.
Tip #5: Get what you love
Be sure only to buy art you love, whether mass-produced or original art, cheap or expensive. Many homeowners are guilty of investing in the art they do not like simply because it is original. If you want original art but do not have enough budget to get one, try to look for new artists with a small following for a decent price.
Conclusion
The right piece of art helps make your space more lively and appealing. When choosing art, consider its color, size, scale, and era. Be sure to shop around before settling to a few pieces and only buy art you love.