Art is one of the best ways to add interest, style, and overall appeal to any room in your house. However, the art world can be overwhelming; here are a few tips to help you choose the best art for your home.
Available Space
The first thing you need to consider is the amount of available space you have. If you only have a few small areas for your art, you don’t want to pick large pieces that take up the entire free space.
Wall art decor also needs to be scaled to the room and space. A big painting on a small wall will look out of place, while a tiny painting on a large wall will also look wrong.
Set a Budget
The next thing you need to do is set a budget. While some art is very affordable, originals can cost a pretty penny. However, there are two paths you can choose from when selecting art.
Reprints or recreations are more affordable, so you can get more in a shorter period. Originals will often be much more expensive, but that can be offset if you aren’t planning on buying many pieces.
If you do want to go down the route of reprints or recreations, particularly with paintings, you can easily up its appeal by choosing a beautiful and possibly extravagant frame. A more expensive and “fancier” frame can easily make a cheaper reprint look incredible.
Know Your Taste
Choosing art is like selecting a new piece of clothing; you wouldn’t pick something just because it is new or popular; you would buy the item you like the most because it suits your style.
If you think about art in the same way, you are more likely to choose pieces that suit your taste and look like they were made for your home.
Consider the Colors
Always consider the colours of the pieces you are choosing. Art is often a centrepiece for a room, and therefore, if the colours clash in an unappealing way, it will be immediately noticeable.
While there is nothing wrong with choosing complementary or contrasting colour palettes, you must be aware of the differences and similarities. Using the colour wheel is always an excellent way to see which colours go together and which go together because they contrast perfectly.
Types of Art
One of the best things about art is its most apparent features; you don’t just have to pick from paintings or one medium. While paintings are the most common, you can choose sculptures, art installations, light art, etc.
Within these different types, there are subtypes to choose from. Acrylic or watercolours, stone or marble, single-colour lights or multicolours. This means you can easily find a piece of art that suits your home no matter which type of art you want.
Lighting
Don’t underestimate the power of the right lighting when it comes to your art. Art is meant to be seen and appreciated, and that can’t happen if it is stuck in a dark corner or the entire room is overshadowing it.
Instead, consider where the best light in a room is and place the art in that space. If you can’t, invest in frames that have light attachments, or place the art in an area that is well-lit by ceiling lights or lamps.
Set the Mood
Art can easily set the mood, or change the mood of a room. Something that is bright and colourful will make a room feel fun and not so sterile, while something simple with minimal colours can add a touch of class and elegance.
Be aware of the message and mood that the art you are buying conveys. While a piece that is edgier or darker may not suit your entire house, there is a chance that it can fit perfectly in a certain room.
Commission Art
When in doubt, you can always go the route of having an art commissioner. While this does require more work and research, and can often be more expensive, it does mean you will get the perfect piece.
With websites like Etsy, you can very easily find an artist who is an expert in a specific niche, meaning you are far more likely to get a piece that would otherwise be nearly impossible to find in a store, gallery, or online.
Experiment
Finally, don’t be nervous to experiment with art. There are countless artists and styles around, and there is a very good chance you don’t have a complete picture of what you like, simply because you haven’t been exposed to enough art yet.
Because of this, when selecting art, don’t stop yourself from choosing pieces that may not tick every box you have, but are interesting, colourful, or have a unique feature or appeal that you like.
In conclusion, choosing art doesn’t have to be a difficult process, especially if you use the tips above. Not only will they help you choose pieces you love, but also ones that will make your house a lot more appealing and interesting.
