Choosing Art to Display in Your Home

Your home décor is a reflection of your personality and your unique sense of style. The same goes for your selected artwork. A few glimpses of the walls of your home can tell a visitor what types of persons are living in that home – the hopelessly romantic, the enigmatic and mysterious, the laidback and relaxed or the modern and full of energy.

There is no “right” or “wrong” when it comes to choosing your artwork. Artwork is subjective, very personal. As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So feel free to surround yourself with works of art that speak to you, that touch you in some way. Some people choose artwork because they feel that it energizes them or relaxes them. However, there are some principles that you can consider to help you achieve a unified, uncluttered look for your home.

• Choose art that you love. Do not choose art merely because of the image it may reflect. Getting an abstract piece that you don’t like just because you want to exude a “modern” vibe for your home is self-defeating. It’s like forcing yourself to wear something you don’t like –you are definitely unhappy even though you got the look you were going for. Your chosen artwork should be something that you can look at and enjoy as you laze in your living room with a cup of coffee.
• Look for the artwork using different sources. To help you expand your “artistic horizons”, you can regularly visit art exhibits and galleries for possible sources. You can also take to the Internet (via eBay and other similar websites). If your budget is tight, you can also consider
• Reflect your own personal taste. If you prefer the classy elegance of the traditional look, you can consider getting landscape paintings and place them inside antique picture frames. If you are fascinated with history and your personal ancestry, display a series of antique portraits of your ancestors, complete with convex glass. If you prefer the more contemporary look, black and white photographs and abstract paintings will be ideal.
• Consider the size of the room where it will be displayed. The dimensions of the room where you will be hanging the artwork will also serve as a guide in choosing the size of the artwork. An overlarge painting that is placed in a small and cramped room will only make the room look too crowded. It will overwhelm the whole room’s general ambiance. On the other hand, a spacious room with high ceilings will require larger pieces to serve as the focal point. Before you buy anything, measure the dimensions of your walls, taking into consideration the items that are already there.
• Choose the right color. For the artwork to become the focal point, choose one that has colors that grab the attention. It does not (and ideally should not!) match the color of the wall – rather, choose a painting where the main colors complement the main colors of the room. Do not just consider the wall, but also other furnishings – the sofa, cushions and curtains. The result is a pleasing palette of colors for the room.
• Consider the contents of the room. How does the artwork reflect the contents of the room. For instance, the theme of the room can be circular patterns. You can reflect this with your artwork, which you can frame in round picture frames.
• Display it to full advantage. Once you have made your selection, hang the artwork correctly. Check that the painting is at eye level, which, as a rule of thumb, requires that the painting’s center should be around 60 inches from the floor. Then, install lighting fixtures to make the artwork stand out. However, if you are displaying a photograph, you should not place the light directly on the photograph. Otherwise, the photograph may suffer from light damage over time.