There are many good reasons why people decorate their homes with art. The right pieces transform your space aesthetically, evoke emotions, and highlight your individuality in a meaningful way.
If you’re just starting your collection or you worry you don’t have a keen eye for details, don’t worry. Wonderwall Studio is here to help with some tips and tricks on how to decorate your home with modern art. You don’t need to be an expert to appreciate art.
Begin With Context and Intent
One helpful place to start is to consider the intent or context of the art. What purpose do you want it to serve? Do you want to decorate your living room with something that serves as a conversation starter, or do you want something to inspire creative thought in a home office? Narrowing down a clear intent often serves as a beneficial foundation for your space. Instead of just worrying about what matches your existing decor, try to find a piece that works alongside it while playing into your intentions.
Modern art shines with context. A bold, abstract piece says something very different in a cluttered room than it would in a minimalist setting where it can serve as a focal point. Allow your space to harmonize with the art by reducing visual noise and creating an inviting backdrop.
Understand the Character of Modern Art
Modern art includes a wide range of encompassing styles and mediums, and it can explore everything from minimalism to post-modernism and more. By its core ideas, it defies a strict definition, which is why it can take so many different forms and movements to influence your choices.
Look at a range of pieces before you choose one for your space and figure out what sort of thing catches your attention. Some people gravitate toward geometric precision, while others may prefer the layered details of a collage.
Art often centers around emotion, so try to go with your gut and figure out what trends or styles guide your personal journey. Your artistic journey should reflect your personal preferences while serving as a visual balance.
Scale Matters in Home Decor
Size is an important factor to consider, and it can play a big part in what it says about a space. An oversized piece looks imposing and eye-catching on a wall but may appear awkward in scale on a smaller wall or when surrounded by other pieces.
Likewise, smaller pieces can look bizarre when surrounding blank walls but may serve well in a smaller reading nook or corner of a room with other furnishings. Try to consider the measurements of your space and experiment with how the size of a piece plays into the dimensions of your home.
Play With Color To Build Atmosphere
One helpful tip for decorating your home with modern art is to look for colors that collaborate with your home’s color palette rather than compete with it. Modern art allows you to explore bold contrasts or serene harmonies depending on the essence of your space. Many minimalist rooms with neutral walls work well with vivid color prints.
Brighter, more vibrant colors like red send a bold message and work in rooms with high energy. However, a relaxing space may benefit from blues or natural greens. Ideally, you want to create a sense of synergy between your color schemes and see how different works affect the existing atmosphere.
Texture and Medium Add Layers to a Room
Many people limit themselves to paint and canvas when they think about adding art to their space. While this is a fine starting point, don’t limit yourself. Consider all realms of art, like mixed media pieces, sculptures, and photography, to add textures to a space or bring depth to an otherwise flat surface. Exhibiting a striking modern sculpture, for example, immediately turns an empty corner into a statement location.
Many pieces make creative use of texture, whether it’s the rough, layered approach of an impasto painting or the sleek, clean finish of minimalist works. Texture enhances the sensory appeal of a space, inviting closer inspection and a more immersive experience.
Curate a Gallery Wall With Intent
An exciting way to bring modern art into your space is to curate your collection in the form of a gallery wall. Gallery walls help you place smaller pieces into a cohesive and visually interesting narrative. You can blend different styles or even mediums together, so long as they share a sense of commonality. You may choose to focus on a particular style or distinct geometric shapes. You may even create a distinct gallery wall that uses subject material in a unique way.
Uniform framing can make the most eclectic pieces work together. The main idea for a gallery wall often involves hanging the pieces in a way to maintain proportions, spacing, and balance. The thrill of a gallery wall lies in its expressive potential.
Consider Placement as a Tool for Impact
Placement is an important element in artistic interior design. If you want a piece to serve as a focal point, it should be the first thing people notice when they enter a room, so consider hanging it above a fireplace, sofa, or against a wall that guides the viewer into the room. Think about eye level—hanging works too high or too low detracts from their visual effect.
Many modern sculptures or three-dimensional installations bring otherwise dull and drab corners to life. Modern art has a sense of versatility to illuminate otherwise overlooked areas. Shelving, desks, and even ceilings provide unexpected opportunities to add some artistic expression to your home decor.
Consider the Benefits of Lighting
Lighting is one of the easiest aspects to overlook when designing with art. The right lighting enhances every detail of your piece, whether you’re looking to highlight texture or color gradients. Natural light is beautiful, but direct sunlight may damage more delicate pieces over time, so try to position your pieces in a way that they don’t get too much exposure.
Focused lighting options like framing lights, track lights, or adjustable spotlights do an excellent job of adding some depth and dimension to your modern art collection. Try to use warm tones, which add an inviting glow, or cooler lighting that creates a crisp, modern aesthetic, depending on your pieces.
Incorporate Art Into Every Room
The most remarkable modern art allows you to integrate your collection into every room of your home. While most people put their main pieces in the living room, try not to neglect other areas. Bedrooms, kitchens, and even bathrooms can all benefit from some art to add an aura of sophistication and intentional design.
Transform your walls into captivating stories with Wonderwall Studio’s exquisite canvas art prints. Explore our curated collection to find pieces that resonate with your personal style and bring your space to life.
