How to Choose Wall Art

Wall art is an important feature in any room. It tends to be larger, so it draws the eye and often acts as a focal point. But with so many interesting pieces to choose from, how do you make sure designer wall art fits your home and your personal preferences? Below we’ll cover how to make sure your art perfectly complements the room you place it in, while keeping to your tastes.

Match the Surrounding Wall Paint or Wallpaper with the Wall Art

Your first step is to make sure that the art does not clash with the surrounding paint or wallpaper. You can make sure the art matches the wall by:

●Use a neutral-colored backdrop to fit any type of wall art. If the art is very colorful, a neutral backdrop will only make the art stand out more. This is a great option if you are looking to make the wall art as much of a focal point as possible.

●Use a solid backdrop in one color and then make sure that shade is represented in part of the art itself. That way, you’ll get a cohesive look.

●Another option, if you have wallpaper with a bold pattern, is to choose understated wall art that does not clash with the pattern behind it. Think solid colors and minimalistic geometry.

●If you see a type of art that you absolutely must have, you can think about repainting or redoing the wallpaper to fit that piece of art.

Whether you update the wall itself or pick a piece of art that works with the existing room, taking the time to figure out how the art will fit in the space will give you the best overall look in the room.

Use Wall Art to Fit the Overall Theme of the Room

You should also consider how the wall art will fit in with the rest of the room itself. As a general rule, you should always match the art with the type of room design already in place. For instance, if you have a country theme, try to find art that matches that rustic look. If you have a modern theme, modern art of course goes well in those spaces. Make sure to search art by the theme that you already have, unless you are planning on doing a complete overhaul of the space.

This rule also does not hold true if you have an eclectic theme in your space. If you have an eclectic theme, a nice aspect is that you can choose whatever art speaks to you at the moment. This leaves you more freedom to buy art that has personal meaning, perhaps something that really speaks to you on a personal level or a souvenir you might have found while traveling.

Wall Art Dimensions and Balance

Another aspect to keep in mind is how much visual weight the piece carries and how that balances with the rest of the room. Symmetry is an important concept in interior design because it creates a sense of balance or “rightness” in the space.

There are a number of ways to create balance in a space using designer wall art. They include:

●You can use multiple types of art next to each other, like two framed pictures of the same size. You might place them so they line up with or go above a heavy object like a sofa or cabinet.

●If you use one piece of art, make sure it fits the wall well. It should take up a good space on the wall, so that it’s not leaving too much surrounding empty space. But it also should leave some surrounding wall.

●You might place very large pieces of art across the room from something with a heavy visual presence, like a bookshelf.

●Another option is to create visual segments, like placing a smaller piece of wall art over a nightstand or cabinet in a corner.

Some designer art you simply have to have is also very small. In these cases, you might combine many smaller pieces onto a larger wall to create a collage effect.

A Note on Wall Art and Personal Preference

Buying designer art can sometimes be an overwhelming decision. The art needs to fit your home’s style well and it needs to speak to you on a personal level. Usually, the type of art that speaks to us already fits in with the overall home style we have because it all ties into our interests.

However, if you find a type of art that just doesn’t go with your home, but has personal meaning, maybe you’re still meant to hang it. If this happens, you might consider placing the art in a more neutrally decorated side room or a bedroom where guests don’t go. What matters at the end of the day is how the wall art makes you feel.