Art is a relatively easy, not necessarily inexpensive, way to infuse life on the blank walls of your homes. A medium through which any space expresses itself. It is an investment that goes a long way and fuels your pride by virtue of being a prized possession.
Whether you inherit a piece of art or pick it while on a trip or purchase it from a store or online, it is worth displaying it at your abode, to impart a collected look.
Art is something very personal, reflecting on your tastes and personality. Something that you really love and admire. An art piece lends color, texture, and pattern, all at once, to space. It inspires and lifts our spirits.
Choose the style that suits your space and personality. Abstract, modern, contemporary, traditional, boho, pop art, are a few styles that you can pick from.
Select a piece that either complements the style of your space or contrasts with it. Sometimes contrast imparts that much-needed balance and keeps a space from looking too embellished or otherwise.
It is not just about purchasing and possessing art but it is also about displaying it strategically in order to enhance its beauty.
LEAN art AGAINST A WALL
Want to know the easiest way to display art? Well, just lean it against a wall. No drilling of holes in the walls, no damaging of your favorite wall finish. It is super easy, super convenient, and super flexible.
Swap art as and when you wish to update the collection. The whole look is so casual and unassuming.
Just layer the pieces on a shelf and also include a few objects like sculptural artifacts and books, lamps, plants, etc to get a perfect vignette.
Or lean your statement art piece against a wall on floor itself!!
Or use that credenza as a base to layer in your favorite art pieces….
gallery wall
One of my personal favorites, this is such a creative way to animate the vast expanse of an empty wall. It is an art in itself to solve the jigsaw puzzle of displaying various art pieces in a pleasing, balanced, and cohesive format.
Depending on your personal preferences and dictates of interior styling you can choose a layout that best suits the art and space.
Choose a structured, grid layout for a formal look and feel. As a thumb rule, a regular grid layout works well with cohesive artwork that is in series, smaller in size and has a common subject and color.
E.g. family photographs, sketches, theme-based pictures, etc. Frames that are similar in size and color suit this format. Just make sure that a uniform gap is maintained between the pieces.
For a casual and relaxed vibe, go for a more organic layout. Here we can create a cluster with a variety of artwork. The configuration is freer in nature.
But it is preferable to adhere to a theme, color palette, and style, with frames of uniform thickness for a controlled and sorted look. Frames could be of the same or varied finishes.
Or create a dramatic, salon-style gallery wall that is completely assorted and collected. An eclectic mix of a variety of everything and anything that you possess. Keep on adding to this random collection to let it grow.
A useful tip is to start from the center with the largest piece and keep on assembling smaller pieces outwards. The intention is to add visual weight at the center in terms of size and/or color.
solo hero
If you don’t aspire to handle multiple pieces, go for a single statement piece. The most obvious locations for such a piece would be behind a sofa, over a bed, or credenza.
Don’t shy from splurging on this piece, if your budget permits. Make it the hero and place it as the focal point of your space. Hang at 6″-12″ above furniture piece. Get inspired and draw out a color palette from it for the interiors.
Just make sure that the width of your art object is not more than 2/3rd of the furniture piece so that it looks balanced and connected to the whole composition. Also, keep the center of the art at eye level i.e. around 60″ from floor level.
coordinate art with architecture
Paintings draw our eyes and hence add movement in space. Any architectural feature in a space can either be accentuated or camouflaged by placing paintings strategically.
The placement of paintings should be a well-thought-out process.
In the picture below, It is difficult to differentiate the window, at the bed back, from the bedside paintings in the landscape theme. Without these paintings, the window would have appeared very bare and diminutive.
In the image below, the two complementary paintings draw our eyes and help establish a visual connection and flow between the the two spaces.
See how beautifully the picture is framed by the arched feature, enhancing the painting and in turn enhancing itself.
place it off-center
The human mind, by instinct, likes symmetry for the balance it generates. A very obvious approach is to place the painting in the center of the wall, over a sofa, bed, etc.
But to give it a more distinctive look, place the painting/s off-center. Balance with plants, light fixtures, etc.
out of box locations
Think of unexpected places to hang the art. Art is such an easy way to brighten up any drab space. It could be your kitchen, bathroom, balcony, a book shelf or a niche.
A piece of art lifts up this functional, utilitarian washing space…
What about one in the bathroom to elevate your spirits early in the morning…
choose a background
Art pieces can be taken to another level by displaying them on a worthy background. It could be wallpaper, exposed brick walls, concrete finish, texture paint, dark paint, and so on. It is a win-win situation as both help enhance each other.
Choose a painting that stands out on the background. To keep the focus on the painting go for an ornate frame. Or you could also go for a wide mat to keep it from merging with the background.
linear display
Displaying a series of paintings in a single line creates rythm and balance. It enhances the horizontality of an element in the space. It could be a furniture piece or an architectural element.
pair, triplet or quadraplet
It is a popular trend to display paintings in groups of 2, 3, or even 4 such that they are part of the same painting or are complementary to each other.
You could also go vertical…..
art corner
Create a cozy reading corner and enhance its appeal with art. Empty corners are perfect spots to exhibit art pieces. Add a floor lamp, a few plants, etc., and just curl on the chair with a cup of coffee and your favorite book!
A wrap around gallery wall is another great idea to enliven a dead corner.
Choosing the right piece of art and displaying it appropriately are equally important. Make art a part of your home interiors.
A home without any art is like pasta without sauce. It lacks the soul. It lacks the warmth and it lacks that personal touch that makes a house into a home.
Every art piece has a story of its own. Embellish the walls of your house with your favorite paintings for an artistic appeal.