No matter how lovely your furnishings, a room with bare walls can feel incomplete. Sometimes the artwork drives its placement and sometimes the space dictates the art. Small space or large, dark walls or light-filled, we’ve put together this guide to help you figure out how to pick the right artwork for your home.
Sevres Goliathus Scarabaeidae PP and Sevres Lucanus Cervus PP by Magnus Gjoen
Are you looking for the perfect artwork to welcome you home? The hallway or entrance to your home is the first thing you see at the end of a long day, and the first impression guests have of your personal style. Do you want your hallway to be a calm respite before you move into the rest of the house? Do you want to immediately give visitors a glimpse of your taste? You don’t have to sacrifice a warm and inviting space to do either.
Transitory spaces such as hallways, landings, or corridors are great places to feature a really bold, colourful piece of art that you may not want to put in a bedroom or living space. Perhaps something large that grabs your attention the minute you walk through the door? Another option is to create a gallery wall stretching the length of your hallway. You can achieve this by clustering a group of similarly sized and themed artworks together, or pull together a more diverse set up by mixing themes, colours, and frame sizes to create something that is uniquely yours. An alternative is to select pieces that reflect a specific mood such as calm, soothing or energetic, and you can also use your wall paint colour to amplify this feeling. For more tips and tricks on how to create the perfect gallery wall, check out our article on the subject. If you're interested in decorating your own hallway, we have a curated collection just for you.
I Only Want Everything - Hand Finished AP Special Edition by Marcelina Amelia
Sometimes, it's best to think outside of the box. Why not step out of you interior design comfort zone? If you have a traditional space with original features why not contrast it with a contemporary artwork? In the living room you can go a little wild - mix styles and colours, consider a large statement piece over a fireplace or a cluster of artworks above the sofa. Make sure your art is proudly on display, don’t hide art behind doors where you can’t enjoy it. You can create little areas of interest by clustering artworks together behind a reading chair or on a statement wall.
Scatter different sized pieces around your living room for a more dynamic feel. Art isn't just for hanging on walls, so experiment with positioning small sculptural or framed pieces on shelves, display cabinets or prop up big pieces by the wall. Perhaps purchase a specialised picture ledge shelf so you can layer different sized prints over each other. This will add a variety of viewing points throughout your living room. To explore our collection of prints for the Living Room, click here.
Framed Butterfly Collection by Lene Bladbjerg
The kitchen can be the heart of the home so of course you wouldn’t want to miss having some gorgeous pieces where everyone gathers. Keep artwork in the kitchen on the smaller side so they don’t compete or clutter other design details in the room such as tiling, overhead lighting, or strong-coloured cabinetry. The kitchen is now, more than ever, a place for social gatherings, and your artwork can reflect this. Think about typographic art, with text or quotes, a brightly coloured series of the same print in different colour-ways, or quirky cartoons and illustrations.
Steer clear of canvases and unframed artworks in the kitchen, as no matter how clean a home you keep, grease and oil from cooking can carry on air particles and ruin artworks. Also make sure not to hang art above the hob or by the sink as temperature and moisture can damage the artwork, even when framed. Check out our specialised curated collection for the best prints for the kitchen here.
Palm Park by Nadia Attura
Your dining room may be only used for family gatherings, or perhaps it pulls double duty as a teenage homework station and home-office. Regardless of the room's function, decorating the space with art is the perfect way to create a cohesive and welcoming environment for you and your guests. You can use the artwork you place in your dining room as a conversation starter when you have friends and family for dinner, or to create a lively atmosphere. Consider an artwork that focuses on storytelling, such as a photographic print, or an eye catching abstract painting that is sure to start discussion amongst dinner guests. They should reflect your taste but also complement the decor and, crucially, not distract from the meal.
Here's a small interior design tip: hanging art lower than you normally would in your dining room helps to create a pleasant viewing while sitting down. Struggling for ideas? We have the solution to your troubles. Browse a wide range of conversation starter pieces in our Dining Room Collection.
Separation of Body and Soul (Ochre) by Marc Quinn
Your bedroom is a space to relax and unwind, and the artwork you choose for this space should reflect that. Intersperse family photographs with small artworks or illustrations that are personal to you. Try an abstract painting in soothing colours or a peaceful landscape photograph. Avoid over-hanging on the walls (keep it simple) and pick one or a few larger pieces of work to create a calm oasis for the evenings and lazy weekend mornings.
If hanging on the wall connecting to the bed, select one to two large feature pieces to create a sense of symmetry. Monochrome art might be a good fit to match up to any bedroom design. This versatility is also a benefit when moving artwork - never be afraid to transfer art between rooms. Whether you like your artwork to make a statement or you're more low key, our Bedroom Collection has a variety of options for you to choose from.
Twilight and Island by Hannah Woodhouse
When decorating a child’s room, think whimsical, but not childish. Avoid artwork that is too character-based, or overly themed where they’re likely to grow out of it quickly. Instead, focus on images of things they and your family are interested in; animals, cars, flowers, holidays in the sun. This way, if they grow out of it you can relocate the artwork to a guest room, downstairs loo or office and it won’t feel out of place. If you're looking to add a little magic to your child's room, browse our Children's Collection here.
And if all else fails we can assist. If you are searching for something extra special, we can coordinate commissions from a variety of artists, so please don't hesitate to get in touch.
