If you have not thought of incorporating art into your home’s interior design, you are missing out on a great opportunity to customize your living space with pieces that truly speak to you. After all, art can be truly personal especially in its power to evoke emotion not only in the homeowner, but also in everyone who passes through the home.

And when your home features pieces that inspire, your space becomes even more inviting and uplifting. It can even encourage you to be more creative by crafting pieces of art yourself, one that is proven to improve mental well being.

Adding art to your home design is also a financially rewarding endeavor. That’s because it appreciates over time. Even becoming family heirlooms over time. Ian Hay, director for Saul Hay Galleries tells Homesand Gardens: “Art is rarely going to be a bad investment but often it can take years, if not generations, for art to go up significantly in value. Think that what you’re investing in is 30 years of enjoyment of the piece and buying something that you could pass down to your family.”

Finally, art provides an opportunity to support culture by patronizing artists, especially up-and-coming talents. 

If this is your first time to consider artwork from your home, here are some easy tips to get you started!  

Explore the art scene

First of all, there is no need to rush when it comes to starting your first art collection. Peruse the local art scene and immerse yourself in various styles and media.

Visiting museums and art galleries and speaking to the respective gallery owners; as well as participating in art shows and talking to the artists themselves is a good place to start. Nowadays, you can even do this online with museums offering virtual tours as a safer alternative amid the pandemic. You can also find inspiration in art blogs. You can also find inspiration closer to home. Perhaps you have family members and children who love to create art. 

The goal is to get an initial feel of what is out there. Perhaps there was a sculpture or painting that stirred an emotion or engaged you visually, perhaps even intellectually. Were there color palettes that you particularly loved? For tridimensional pieces such as sculptures, were there particular shapes and textures that appealed to you. Take note of all these pieces that struck you.

Begin curating pieces

Again, there is no need to rush the process of collecting art. It pays to give careful thought to the pieces you acquire. Perhaps you are also thinking of particular rooms in your home where you would like to display a particular piece. That is okay too. However, make sure that the personal appeal of the piece aligns with the interior design of the space you want to display it in. For example, if you personally gravitate towards blues and discovered an abstract in a cool palette, you may consider this as a relaxing piece to have in a bedroom.

Furthermore, it is important to purchase from trusted sources. The Netflix documentary, Made You Look, explored an extreme case of fraud in fake art sales. No one deserves to be scammed in any purchase, art or otherwise. The key takeaway: with all investments that one makes, it pays to do due diligence. 

You can do this by purchasing art for the artists themselves. You can also approach a reputable art gallery that will provide you with a certificate of authenticity.

Over time, you will build these relationships with artists, galleries, and curators. Your art preferences will also begin to take shape as you learn more. Again, art appreciation is a process, no different from our evolving appreciation of other art forms like film, literature, and music.

Highlight your home’s interior designwith art

The decision to place art pieces in its various spots is in itself not just a design decision, but a personal one. That said, here are further tips on how to thoughtfully incorporate art in different parts of your home.

Living and Dining Rooms. These spaces are often prioritized for displaying art as they are primary spots for social gatherings. A gallery wall therefore makes sense in you dining or living room interior. However you may also play with vignettes that combine both flat pieces and sculptures. Functional art, such as mirrors and furniture pieces can also anchor a space by providing visual interest. 

Kitchen. The kitchen is often overlooked as a spot for displaying art. Consider the space above cabinets, open shelves, and of course, the walls. Just make sure to keep art safely away from areas where it can be exposed to water splashes and high heat. Apart from kitchens, bathrooms are another overlooked space. As with the kitchen, blank walls and shelves and even floor space can serve as spots for displaying art.

Bedrooms. As primary spaces for relaxation, it’s a good idea to choose artwork that will enhance that sense of calm. Again this is very personal. In terms of color, greens and blues are the most commonly associated with a sense of tranquility. But say, you love the steam-punk aesthetic, nothing should stop you from displaying a gritty, metal sculpture in your room. Or if your child loves the look of a psychedelic painting that calls to mind the drip technique of Jackson Pollock, then by all means regale the bedroom in colorful pieces.

Home offices and study rooms. As spots where we make a living, hold meetings, brainstorm, and study, art can inject creative inspiration into these room. If you’re an architect, perhaps you can curate a gallery wall of black and white photos featuring your favorite buildings. You could even frame and hang pieces made by family members to showcase their creativity—and boost your own creative juices.

Art breathes life into a space. They are points for conversation. They provide visual interest. And lastly, they can inspire and move us. In other words, art can contribute to a home you and your family will truly love!  

Need professional help with your home? Inquire with us at www.jasanchetainteriors.com