Choosing the right artwork to complement your space can be the most challenging task in decorating your home. With an unending variety of choices, settling down to just a few pieces can be tough. So if you’re struggling to pick the perfect piece, consider these few tips:

CONSIDER THE AREA YOU’RE SHOPPING FOR

Art has a way of finishing out a room. It can be the thing that ties it all together. So as you’re choosing wall art consider these things—

• Think about the room you’re going to place the art in. Do you want it to blend in––or pop?
• What are the colors that are in the room already? Do you want to highlight them? 
• What mood are you trying to create in the space? Are you aiming for quirky, calm, fun, classic?
• Proportion and scale are two key values to consider when choosing a piece for your wall. Err on the side of too large rather than too small. A too-small piece runs the risk of feeling out of place, like an afterthought.  (Unless you are being intentional about it. If that’s the case, then by all means, break the rules!)

CHOOSE ART THAT MAKES YOUR HEART SING

Art is one of the easy ways to show your personality and personalize your space. 

Sometimes a piece will tickle your fancy and you don’t even know what it is you like about it. That’s ok. You don’t have to be a connoisseur or an art history major to appreciate art! But at the same time, it is kinda fun to think about why you are drawn to a particular piece. So ask yourself what it is that you enjoy about it!

You can really allow your personality to shine in your art choices. Choose colors, textures, and shapes that appeal to you. Art is about feeling and emotion. It pulls at the heartstrings.

MEASURE, MEASURE, MEASURE

Here’s a list of guidelines to help you as you figure out where to place your art.

• Hang art with it’s center 57-60” off the floor for wall hanging pieces. That’s an average standard eye level height. It helps the space to feel grounded and balanced.
• Don’t feel like you have to center the piece on the wall. If you have a lamp, or a tall plant on one side consider centering between it and the opposite edge of the wall.
• If hanging above chairs or sofas allow for  6-8” above the top edge of the furniture.

REMEMBER THE KITCHEN AND BATHROOM

The kitchen and bathroom are great spots to add fun and lighthearted art. These rooms are typically the workhorses of the home, and jovial art pieces can help to lighten the load. Consider leaning a frame against the wall under your kitchen cabinets. Or find a spot on the wall to add a touch of panache!

REMEMBER TO ALLOW FOR NEGATIVE SPACE

Not every wall needs art. Just as the margin on a book page allows your eye room to rest and process, without overloading your brain, leaving blank space on some of the wall areas in your room will provide the same results.

The negative space highlights the art by pushing your eye towards the painting or print. It allows the art to be the focal point.

Having too much art on the walls crammed too close together runs the risk of making you claustrophobic!

FOR YOUR LIVING ROOM

The most fun room to decorate with art, and most times, the most intimidating is the living room. Most of us feel a lot of pressure here since this is the room most of your guests will see and spend time in. Choosing the right piece is elemental in provoking conversation and setting the feel or vibe of the space. You can opt for one large-scale piece or a large gallery wall. Sometimes you need to think outside the frame. Art doesn’t have to be a piece of print or canvas, sometimes it can take other forms. Whether it’s a large scale replica of the American flag or Stag horns, look beyond a 2D image and you’ll find a unique piece that best reflects you.

FOR YOUR OFFICE SPACE

Whether you work from home or in an office, art is a great way to personalize your space and keep you inspired. Our favorite way to do this is by creating a rotating gallery. To start, you need a long floating ledge shelf installed preferably over your workspace or close to it. The beauty of this is that it’s the only thing you will have to hang! Next is the fun part, you can pick out an assortment of artwork that inspires you. Envision a mood board of sorts, positive images or works by artists who inspire you are good places to start. You want to incorporate different sizes as well, big and small so the possibilities are endless. You can have them all in similar frames for a minimalist look or all different frames to add some character. These pieces can be rotated or updated whenever you get bored, no nails required.

Courtesy: https://www.thespruce.com/