A house isn’t a home without art on the walls
Just like adding jewelry to the perfect outfit, nothing pulls a room together like impeccably decorated walls. I’ve found that people are either very excited to buy art, or very intimidated. With so many different options, styles and aesthetics, it can be overwhelming to choose. After all, art is a true investment. While art speaks differently to everyone, I can offer a few tactics as to how to incorporate pieces into your décor seamlessly and effectively.
Don’t be intimidated by a gallery wall. Using a grouping of photos is a great way to play with a large wall space, not to mention you get to use a wide variety of your favorite pieces. Gone is the pressure to narrow down your selection. Try using a collection of sizes and shapes to create the perfect mix. A well-done gallery wall is a work of art in itself.
Draw focus to one special piece. Maybe you have a favorite photograph from days past that you want to feature. Perhaps there is a painting you bought and haven’t had the chance to display properly. Using a special piece to anchor a room is a great way to bring attention to your art aesthetic without overwhelming a space.
Tie the art into the room. Accessories and florals bring the energy of the painting into the immediate space. Taking colors and textures from the art and incorporating them into your decor is a lovely way to create cohesiveness in a room without crowding the design.
Think outside the frame. If you find something beautiful that speaks to you, it’s art! I’ve seen people mount birdcages and terrariums to the wall and create an amazing visual effect. Not every piece of art must be the same medium, color or material. Mixing and matching different styles creates a great path for the eye. This is a great way to emphasize the ambience of your area.
Not every piece has to shout. We love to use high-contrast décor to create a big impact. But sometimes it’s nice to let the eye have a chance to pause when the rest of the room has a plethora of design elements. It can be a nice complement to the overall energy of a space to have a relaxing moment to focus on. For moments like these, we recommend using muted tones or traditional elements in your art pieces.
Katie Laughridge is the owner of Kansas City interior design store Nell Hill’s.Â