Handpicking artwork for your home is a daunting prospect for many people. Galleries and art fairs can be intimidating settings. And artwork is often associated with expensive, ‘forever’ purchases that are all too easy to get wrong. But it really doesn’t have to be this way!
Choose wall art that you love
Yes, there are certain factors to take into consideration. But your wall art – like any other key element of your interiors – needs to be something you personally love. I think there’s really no such thing as the “right piece”; only the right piece for you. So, if the wall art you’re considering ticks all the right boxes in theory, but doesn’t spark joy, don’t buy it. Never choose something you think you should like. Always be honest and go with your gut instinct.
The natural world
I picked The Esoteric Pond for my open-plan kitchen because I love the great outdoors and often visit lakes and ponds on my walks. The artist, Deborah Jones, uses her own photography as a basis for her wall art from frequent trips to fishing lakes and carp ponds. The attention to detail on her paintings is incredible – Deborah works with oil paints and she pours washes of water colour oil over a large linen canvas to create a natural flowing effect around the fish. She also painstakingly paints each tiny scale individually and creates a 3D effect and the results are incredible.
The artist
Deborah tells me: “As an artist, I believe that choosing art for your home is a personal and meaningful experience. There are three key factors that I always consider when selecting or creating artwork. Firstly, colour is a powerful tool that can bring light, contrast, depth and even darkness to a room. The right colour can make a space feel more vibrant, while a more muted palette can create a sense of calm and tranquility. Second is content. Depending on your personal taste, you may prefer abstract, fine art, botanical, portraiture or figurative pieces. It’s important to choose artwork that speaks to you and reflects your unique style and personality. Finally, emotion is a crucial element to consider. Artwork should evoke a feeling whether it’s joy, beauty, intrigue or balance. It should bring a sense of warmth and personality to your living space.
“When selecting art for your home, take the time to consider colour, content and emotion. Choose pieces that speak to you and reflect your unique style. Your home should be a reflection of who you are and the right artwork can help you achieve that.”
Embrace the opportunities with new wall art
However, with so much choice available, many people simply don’t know where to start. The husband and I were no exception when we moved into our project home almost seven years ago. But I’ve picked up some useful tips and tricks as our renovations have progressed. So read on for my advice on how to get to grips with what can be an overwhelming process. You can also see how I’ve added wall art prints to my own living space.
Identify your style
Our interiors are an expression of ourselves. We use colour, texture, fixtures and furniture to create a space that makes us feel happy and ‘at home’. We all instinctively favour certain styles, colour palettes and vibes over others. So think about the aesthetics you like – and the ones you don’t. Do you prefer classic over contemporary? Minimalism or maximalism? Cottagecore or industrial chic? Successful artwork choices will reflect and complement your personal style. That doesn’t mean you’re limited to nothing but monochrome abstracts if your interiors are modern and clutter-free. But ideally your artwork does need to work with the rest of the setting it’s in.
Artist Emma Lacon is renowned for producing bespoke fine art prints, which add a tranquil, sunny vibe to your home. Based in an old mill in the outskirts of Bath, through her work she invites you to add a dash of summertime into your property, to ultimately lift your mood. I love this fine art print because it adds a touch of nature to this area and detracts from the ugly black box of the TV in this corner in my living room. Beautifully framed, Emma uses Hahnemühle etching prints, which feature a textured finish and velvety matt surface for luxury appeal.
Function and form with wall art prints
Which brings me nicely to the next key consideration when choosing beautiful wall art for your home. Which is room is it for? And more importantly, what is the room’s desired mood?
Some rooms are more private than others. And privacy often emboldens people to be brave, and choose wall art that really resonates, is regarded as eccentric, or has a special meaning. That could be a piece brought back from a favourite holiday, wall art you’ve inherited, or even a bespoke commission by a local artist.
Combining function and form
Even with wall art, function can dictate your choice. So also think hard about the ambience you’d like to create within a space. Some pieces are brighter, louder and more challenging than others, so these might work better in a busy open-plan kitchen diner or family room. Meanwhile, a bedroom may need to foster a vibe of calm and serenity. However, the rules can change if you are looking for wall art behind your headboard. You don’t look at this as you fall asleep so this can be more vibrant. If you want add style to a home studio, this may require an uplifting canvas print to help you feel more productive.
Lighting and colour choices for wall art prints
You don’t have to match your art exactly to your room scheme. But the overall colour scheme is important – as is the lighting.
Your artwork can match, contrast or balance its surroundings, so be prepared to experiment with different combinations. Obviously, clashing colours will make more of a design statement. Or you can look for wall art that mimics the hues already present.
Lighting matters
It’s also important to consider the lighting in the room (natural, ambient, accent and so on). Not only will the different types of light affect how your wall art appears, natural light can also fade colours. So consider protecting paintings and photographic work with UV-resistant/anti-reflective glazing.
This beautiful painting is by fine art artist Cyndi Speer and she has incorporated small pieces of glass within the dragonfly’s wings, which help to reflect light and instantly add more depth. The canvas has been placed onto an open frame and she has used oils predominately to create this work, which has been inspired by the Suffolk countryside.
Word art
Have you ever considered transforming your lighting into a piece of wall art? If you like adding fun elements to your home, a neon sign could be the way forward! I’ve chosen this form of word art to create a bespoke neon sign with the word ‘Sweet Harmony’ which lights up in yellow. Designed by WMAT, it comes with a handy remote and multiple modes, which you can pick to suit different moods. This personalised wall art means you can send WMAT any picture (any text or pattern) and they will produce a bespoke neon sign for you from scratch.
What is art?
Many people associate wall art primarily with framed paintings. However, art means different things to different people, so do consider different formats. That means high-end investment paintings to inexpensive store-bought wall art prints – and everything in between. Even paint and wallpaper can be considered artwork, if it’s used to transform a feature wall, zone or architectural elements such as alcoves.
Art in its various forms
Wall hangings, mirrors, glass, light installations, metals, photography and sculpture can also be used to enhance and elevate your space. Each medium has its own distinct qualities. Sculpture introduces a 3-D element, and enhances presence. Photography can evoke memories and help you tell a story. Mixed media wall art is also gaining popularity, especially among homeowners keen to experiment, push boundaries, and challenge the conventional.
Framed wall art considerations
How you display your wall art is just as important as choosing the right pieces. As discussed, while other formats are available, for most of us, that means choosing the right frames for our wall art.
The frame should enhance, not overpower, the art within it, and ideally complement the room the wall art resides in, too. Size, style and colour are all key criteria to consider. You can choose to match or contrast a dominant shade. Contemporary works of art are often paired with minimalistic frames, while something more ornate and elaborate usually works well with more traditional pieces.
A winning print
Prints can make a fantastic choice and this design called Autumn Mists 02 is no exception. I actually won this wonderful piece of art in a competition; it was developed from original watercolours and scanned at high-resolution with archival inks on 310gsm Hahnemühle William Turner paper. What makes this more special for me is that the artist, Louise Seabrook from Studio Graphite, has signed her work.
Size, scale and positioning
As with so much in life, where artwork is concerned, size matters. So consider scale and positioning before you commit. However much you might love it, a large piece of art could look cramped and out of place on a small wall. Conversely, small art can look lost and ‘adrift’ when hung on a big wall.
In addition, think about whether you prefer one solo statement piece, or if a gallery wall setting with lots of different artwork appeals. It’s also important to position your wall art correctly, taking into account sight lines and any possible shadows and obstructions.
Where to buy wall art
Your budget will probably dictate where you buy your artwork. Prices vary tremendously, and custom framing costs extra. But artwork you love doesn’t need to break the bank. Posters and wall art prints are far more affordable if you’re watching the pennies. Interior design stores and even charity shops can sometimes be the source of unexpected treasures! Canvas prints can be so cost-effective and offer more depth to create the perfect gallery wall.
Local art galleries
Galleries and exhibitions are a great way to check out all the different options available. Stay local to discover the work of artists in your area, which might lead to unique commissioning opportunities. Art fairs and auctions can be fruitful hunting grounds too – but make sure you do your research properly before taking the plunge. You can of course browse and buy from online platforms, such as Saatchi Art which I recommend along with the others I have already mentioned.
You may prefer to see wall art in real life before buying. But online platforms offer unrivalled choice and convenience, from a canvas print to acrylic prints, so you can create your own personalised wall art. If this option appeals, just make sure you do your due diligence and pick a reputable option.
AD: This is a collaboration with artists Deborah Jones, Emma Lacon and neon sign manufacturer WMAT
