Adding personality and character to your home with art can be a fun and rewarding process. Art allows you to express your style, interests, and what makes you unique. When chosen thoughtfully, it can bring vibrancy and life to any space.
Follow these tips to use art to give your home a dose of you.
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Define Your Style
First, think about the overall aesthetic or style you want for your home. Minimalist? Edgy? Boho chic? Traditional with a modern twist? Defining this will help guide your art selections. If you’re stumped on how to describe your style, look at photos of rooms you’re drawn to and note the common elements.
Choose Meaningful Pieces
Art is extremely personal, so choose pieces that reflect your interests, hobbies, family, values, and travels. Displaying family photos in stylish frames adds sentimental value. For avid travellers, hang a gallery wall showcasing souvenirs like masks, fans or baskets from your favourite destinations. Are you a gardener? Frame botanical prints. A music lover? Choose canvas prints of vintage music posters or album covers. Let your passions shine through. A fan of street art? Paint a graffiti mural – this blog on easy graffiti art will help you get started on a smaller scale.
Think About Function
Consider each room’s purpose when selecting art for it. Bold abstract pieces fit well in living rooms and communal spaces meant for gatherings and conversation. Choose tranquil landscapes for bedrooms to promote relaxation. Incorporate vintage maps or prints displaying food and wine for dining rooms. Think about day-to-day activities in the space.
Spotlight Your Collections
Turn your collections into art displays by arranging and mounting related items like shells, insects, or ticket stubs. This creates visual interest while showcasing your special finds. For eclectic displays, mix photography, paintings, and three-dimensional objects like antiques or your shot glass collection.
Work within Your Budget
From gallery walls to standalone statement pieces, you can find quality affordable art. Order prints of your favourite works on sites like Etsy or make your own using online creativity tools. Seek original art at local markets and student exhibits. Scope charity shops for inexpensive frames to display kids’ artwork or inspiring quotes. Creativity trumps cost when selecting art with purpose.
Play with Shape, Colour, and Size
When arranging your art, vary the shapes, sizes, and colours for the most compelling overall aesthetic. Include a mix of square and rectangular pieces plus unexpected shapes like circles or triangles. Vary colours to prevent monotony. And embrace both small subtle pieces and large standout focal points.
Reframe Existing Artwork
Give existing artwork new life by reframing it or giving it a fresh coat of paint. Sometimes a simple framing change makes a huge impact. Try painting frames black for a contemporary vibe or distressing wood frames for a shabby chic style. Update canvases too — a bold paint colour on the edges transforms them.
Support Local Artists
Check out art fairs, open studio tours, co-op galleries, and craft shows to discover unknown and up-and-coming artists. Buying directly from artists contributes to your local creative community. You can find affordable original pieces and prints to fit your budget. Local art also makes for meaningful statement pieces and conversation starters.
Rotate Seasonal and Themed Pieces
Freshen things up by rotating specific pieces out seasonally or for holidays and occasions. Display nature photography in the spring and summer and cozy cabin prints in the winter. Trade everyday art out for festive prints during holiday seasons. Having a collection of themed pieces to choose from makes it easy. Don’t overlook kid art either – show off your little ones’ masterpieces!
Let Art Reflect Your Hobbies
Your interests and hobbies deserve to shine! Surround yourself with pieces related to activities and passions that spark joy for you. Botanical prints and plant illustrations bring the outdoors in for gardeners. Food photography aesthetically represents culinary interests. Musical instruments like painted guitars speak to musicians. Display travel mementos from adventures abroad. Art that ties into hobbies personalises a space.
In addition to decorative elements, art can serve many functions. Maps or inspirational prints in an office motivate productivity. Gallery walls in hallways and staircases make them more visually appealing. Art above the bed or sofa reduces empty wall space. Photos displayed on console tables, countertops, and shelves add personalised touches. Don’t limit art to just wall hangings – small sculptures, vases, decorative trays, and other accents can show off your style.
With intention and imagination, you can use art to add personality throughout your home. Define your style, choose meaningful pieces, work within your budget, and embrace your inner curator as you design displays tailored to you. Let your home reflect the things you love through the power of art.
