Whether it’s a lazy Sunday evening or a fun family get-together, the living room is always the focal point of the house. And so, it deserves a generous dose of art.
Art has the ability to transform a space, draw the attention of visitors, and add a unique appeal. What’s more, it helps add a touch of personality and creates character in your home.
But choosing the right pieces of art is critical. And that’s exactly what we’re here for.
Here are some insider tips on how to choose amazing art pieces that complement and enhance the ambience of your living room!
Select Pieces That Speak To Your Personality
Choose what you love.
It really is as simple as that. While decorating with art — or for that matter, with anything at all — it is essential to pick pieces that speak to your personality.
You are going to be seeing the artwork in your living room every day. So, when you see it, it should make you dream, evoke feelings of joy, and inspire you. At the very least, it should make you smile.
So, pick your art pieces wisely and only choose the ones that reflect who you are. These could showcase your passions, beliefs, and purposes. You (and even your guests) will love it!
Pay Heed To Sizing
Artwork that does not have the appropriate size can take away from the grace of the room. As a rule of thumb, wall art should take around 60% to 70% of the uncovered wall space (i.e. the area that is not covered by furniture).
Also, make sure the sizes of art are complementary. If you’re creating a gallery wall, mix together vertical and horizontal pieces. It’s also a good idea to begin with one large central piece and complement it with smaller-sized surrounding ones.
If you’re placing a framed statement piece on a shelf, put it at the very back, and proceed towards the front with smaller decorative items. This helps create depth and produces an attractive look.
Blend It In Or Make It Stand Out
While choosing artwork, give yourself two options: do you want the art pieces to blend in with the colour scheme or would you rather have them stand out? There’s no in-between!
If your room has a traditional setting, contemporary artwork can create a stunning statement. However, you can also simply complement the ambience with a traditional piece of art that goes with the initial setting — it all just boils down to personal preference.
Similarly, you can go with a plain white (or black-and-white) painting in a white room to keep the balance, or break the monotony of the decor and put up a bright red masterpiece.
Coordinate With Your Living Room Theme
There’s always a theme in the back of one’s mind while decorating a space. And this theme determines the art pieces that fit in.
For example, contemporary living rooms welcome bold-coloured artwork with dark wooden frames, while a coastal-chic space would do better with textured neutrals and splashes of cool hues.
So, before you make your next purchase, give yourself some time to brainstorm the type of art pieces that would complement your theme instead of going against it.
Decide Your Living Room’s Focal Point
The focal point of your living space is the first thing that someone would notice upon entering — something that makes a statement and instantly draws attention.
Before choosing your art piece, you need to decide what the focal point will be. If you’ve already introduced a lavish rug or luxury lighting that acts as the centre of attention, you should choose art that is less imposing. This means pieces that have subtle colours and patterns (they don’t necessarily have to be small).
However, if you want to make the art piece the focal point — which, by the way, is a fantastic idea for living rooms — choose a visually striking piece. In that regard, using canvas art near the main seating area can serve the purpose very well.
Number Of Pieces Matter
Choosing the most aesthetically appealing art pieces isn’t it; you also have to consider the number of pieces to use and the most suitable locations for them.
It is best to vary the art used on opposite walls of your living room. For example, use one large piece on one wall and two smaller, complementary ones on the other. You can also use a trio or grid of four where it seems to fit.
Placing the same number of art pieces on opposite walls (whether it’s one, two, or three) creates the impression of an odd mirror image and simply takes away from the elegance of the living room.
In conclusion, art pieces make all the difference, and by adding them to your living room, you can transform the entire look and feel of your space. The best part? You can take down art pieces and change them whenever you like.
Which type of artwork would you want to hang in your living room? Share your thoughts in the comments section below — we’d love to hear from you!