Art is an important part of interior design, but it goes beyond simply hanging up pictures or placing sculptures. The art you choose can set the mood for the space, and the right pieces establish harmony, emotion, and narrative to create a thought-provoking environment.
Wonderwall Studio is here with a guide for designers on art selection for interior design. We aim to explore how art adds to interior spaces and provide helpful tips for how different mediums and styles can set a mood.
Understanding the Role of Art in Interior Design
Art is one of the most significant environmental factors of interior design. Selecting the right piece can turn a stark interior into a vivid, dynamic space. We can use artwork to balance proportions, set a tone, or foster intellectual thought and conversation.
Interior designers should understand how different colors and mediums can change the meaning of a room. Each piece serves a purpose, and it’s important to consider multiple factors before you decide on the scope and placement of any piece within a room.
Consider the Functionality and Purpose of the Space
It’s always a good idea to start with the intended purpose of a space when thinking about art. For example, an office should enhance productivity and focus, while a study might foster quiet reflection and learning.
Pieces that feel inviting or warm work well in shared spaces like living rooms or dining rooms. You want each piece to complement and serve the function of the space. Maintaining a sense of harmony allows the art to integrate into the room instead of feeling like a decorative afterthought.
Assess the Room’s Palette and Textures
Color is a significant factor in choosing artwork for any space. When decorating a minimalist room, you may consider a splash of bold colors to create a striking contrast or work with neutral tones to complement the space instead.
In addition to color, you should also consider texture. Textured prints add physicality to the colors or subject of the piece. The grain in a painting can balance out a smoother, more featureless wall. Texture can create a multidimensional experience that engages viewers on multiple levels.
Consider Scale and Placement
Always consider scale and size when incorporating art into an interior space. A large hanging piece can serve as a focal point for an entire room and set the tone. However, an overly large piece that takes up most of the wall can make the space feel confined and limiting. Likewise, smaller pieces spread out too far make the room feel needlessly expansive. When working with multiple smaller artworks, consider organizing them into a miniature gallery in a specific nook of the room rather than making them speak for the entire space.
Placement matters just as much as size. Hanging art at eye level often feels harmonious, but this may depend on the structure of the room and its layout. Placing a vertical piece between two windows can guide the viewer’s eye upward and enhance the sense of height in your space.
The Charm of Textured Prints
When considering art selection for interior design, we recommend experimenting with different mediums besides traditional paper or canvas. A popular option we touched on earlier is textured prints, which often incorporate depth through paint, fabric, or other materials.
Textured prints are a great way to echo the materials in the surrounding decor and tie a space together. These pieces work wonderfully in minimalist areas to compensate for the restraint in the room’s color and design. Try to put textured prints in places where they can take advantage of the lighting to enhance their dimensionality.
The Expressive Power of Abstract Art
Regardless of how art evolves, there will always be a place for the abstract. This style can spark emotional reactions and stimulate conversation through basic colors and shapes. These pieces fit well into modern or contemporary spaces, and the common lack of a specific subject makes them work with a wide range of colors and styles.
A vibrant abstract piece in a neutral room can serve as a dynamic centerpiece, conveying energy, while subtle abstract forms can create a calming effect in spaces where people can relax. Abstraction creates a sense of harmony that pairs effortlessly with any furniture style or color scheme.
Chromaluxe for a Modern and Sleek Aesthetic
Chromaluxe is a popular artistic option for those seeking something new and unique. These prints utilize sublimated dyes and metal bases like aluminum to offer pieces that enhance depth, lighting, reflection, and color. These pieces work great in everything from corporate offices to high-end kitchens.
Chromaluxe prints are durable pieces that can capture nearly any subject material or medium and showcase it in a bolder, more imaginative way. The durable metal gives them an advantage over canvas or paper, allowing people to decorate humid spaces like bathrooms or outdoor patios.
Inspiration From Landscapes
Landscapes are popular artistic choices for interior design because everyone can understand and explore them. Scenic forests and relaxing lakes transform even hectic spaces into more calming retreats. The subject material of a landscape can do a lot to shape the environment of a room.
For example, a babbling brook is perfect for a free-flowing yoga studio, while a strong, imposing mountain creates a sense of determination fitting a home gym. We often appreciate landscapes because it’s so easy to lose ourselves in them. They have the power to transform the room into the space we see in the piece.
Photography for Timeless Appeal
Photography combines storytelling and artistic expression, making it a timeless choice for many interior designs. Black-and-white photography, in particular, creates sophistication and rarely overwhelms a busy space, making it easy to incorporate into any room.
We recommend finding pieces that resonate with the character of the room. Do you want a portrait of an important person or architectural photography that captures a specific period in history? Photographic prints can capture powerful moments that invoke everything from a sense of nostalgic playfulness to powerful memories that serve as motivation.
Final Thoughts on Art Selection for Designers
Selecting the right art pieces for interior design requires paying attention to many factors. You must combine aesthetics, emotional intent, and general composition. Art transforms the space we place it in, and understanding the applications of each piece can change everything. Consider elements like scale, texture, color, and medium when decorating a space that you want to resonate with clients.
Discover the transformative power of framed fine art prints with Wonderwall Studio. Learn how to elevate interior spaces with pieces that add beauty, personality, and history to any room. Explore our collection today, and find the perfect piece to bring your vision to life.
