Picture Perfect: How to Choose Artwork for Your Home
Welcome to “Work in Progress,” the Untitled Fine Art blog. Read on to learn our tips for choosing the perfect piece of artwork for your home.
Determine your taste. What styles, subjects, and mediums are you most drawn to? If you’re unsure, spend some time researching (on websites like Artsy, or at local museums and galleries) to find out what speaks to you most. The artwork in your home should be something you enjoy, and that reflects your tastes – after all, it’s an investment, and you’ll be seeing it all the time!
Think about the mood of your home, or ask yourself what mood you want to create. Artwork can help set the atmosphere of a space – a light and peaceful painting has a different impact than a moody and dramatic one. The style, subject matter, and color palette of an artwork can compliment, juxtapose, or redefine its surroundings. Each room can have its own mood. A bedroom or bathroom may be more serene, whereas in a dining room (which some interior designers call the “jewel box” of the home), you can go bold.
Work with the age and architectural details of your home, or juxtapose them! Every home tells a story. See the picture below; notice the contrast between the older features of the fireplace, and the contemporary pieces by Neeka Allsup and Emily Elhoffer. Consider artworks that reflect the age of your home, and the decorative style.
Contemplate colors. Play off the colors already present in the space, or introduce new accent colors! If you’ve just moved into a new home, you can start by picking artwork (providing you with a color palette) and then build the interior design around it.
Consider sizing. You don’t want a small painting to be swallowed by the empty space around it, but if the piece is too big, it can overwhelm the room. Art should complete a wall, but not dominate it. It may be helpful to take measurements of the space where the art will be hanging, like your fireplace or above your couch, and to have these measurements on hand while shopping for art. If the style of a particular artist speaks to you, but you’re not quite sold on the subject, size, etc. remember that many artists (like Sergey Cherep, Neeka Allsup, and Dani Collette) are open for commissions, so you can get a custom piece that’s perfect for you. If you’re not sure what size you need, remember there are standard sizes for canvases (such as 16” x 20”, or 24” x 36”), and while not every painting is standard size, many are. Using painter’s tape, you can create a rectangular ‘blueprint’ to determine which size looks best. And if you like smaller pieces, but have a large space to fill, a gallery wall is a great solution.
Shop small! While artwork from big box stores may be more affordable and accessible, investing in a one-of-a-kind artwork adds depth and uniqueness to your space, arguably more than a mass-produced print would. Supporting local artists and businesses is a great way to support the community, and those who work in the arts will likely be able to advise you on picking out your perfect piece.
Thanks for reading! Keep checking our blog for updates/new content. And if you’re ready to find your perfect piece, email us at ryan@untitledfineart.com, or click the button below!