5 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Original Art for Your Home

Every home needs art. Paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs – they all add character to a room and make it feel complete. As a bonus, the mere act of looking at beautiful art can give us a dopamine boost. Research also shows that art can help enhance our focus and increase concentration, and even relieve stress and anxiety.

But this is only true if you choose the right piece for your home. Because art can have a powerful effect on our emotions, it’s crucial to select the correct pieces for your home and each room.

For example, you may want a painting with vivid, warm colours like red, orange, and yellow for your home office because it is stimulating and encourages action. But when it comes to your bedroom, you’ll probably want a subtler piece that promotes peace and relaxation.

So how do you choose the right art for your home? In this article, we’ll show you which factors to consider when picking out original artwork so you can create a more welcoming atmosphere and add a touch of your personality to your interior space.

Budget

The first thing you need to do is determine how much you’re willing to spend on art. No, you don’t need a huge budget to purchase good artwork. Original art varies widely in price, so set a comfortable budget and explore options within that range.

Of course, if you want fine art, you will have to spend much more than you would on, say, illustrations. It’s not uncommon for high-end fine art paintings to sell for tens of thousands of dollars. But these types of artworks are also seen as an investment – unlike many depreciating assets, art often holds and even increases in value over time.

But thankfully, there is plenty of affordable yet beautiful, high-quality art available out there. Many online art galleries, like Singulart, Saatchi, and Artfinder, offer a wide range of original artwork at various price points. These platforms are a great way to discover emerging artists and get excellent artwork without breaking the bank.

Personal Preference

This may seem obvious to some people, but it’s still worth saying – art is personal and should be enjoyed. You’re going to see the art you choose for your home every day, so make sure you choose pieces you love.

They don’t have to be “objectively” beautiful – art is subjective, after all – but they do need to speak to you in some way.

Do you really like abstract art, or do you simply see it everywhere, and so you feel the need to fit in? Perhaps you’d like original pop paintings for your living room, but since they’re not particularly trendy, you don’t want to stand out?

Try not to be swayed by trends when picking out art for your home. After all, trends come and go, and you don’t want to invest in pieces that will go out of style in a few years. And as mentioned, you’re going to have to live with the art you choose for your home and see it every day, so choose something you personally like and that resonates with you on an emotional level.

Color Palette

It’s a well-documented fact that colours have an effect on our moods. We associate warm colours (reds, oranges, yellows) with feelings of passion, power, and comfort, but also anger. On the other hand, cool colours (blues, greens, purples) can make us feel calm, relaxed, and focused, but also sad. Keep this in mind when picking artwork for your home.

Also, consider the rest of your décor. If you want a cohesive and calming look, choose artwork that complements the room’s colour scheme. Either go for similar colours (various shades of brown, for example) or choose complementary colours (red and green, blue and orange, etc.)

Size and Scale

When it comes to art, size matters. You don’t want a tiny painting for a big, bare wall as the room will look incomplete, nor do you want a large painting for a small room as it can make it look overcrowded.

So, when picking out art for your home, consider the size of the artwork in question and your room and empty wall space. You want your wall art to fit just right – neither overwhelming the room nor getting lost in the background.

A general recommendation for wall art is to take up a minimum of 60% and a maximum of 75% of the available wall space. So basically, you want to fill about two-thirds to three-fourths of your free wall space, meaning space not covered by mouldings or furniture.

Style and Theme

What is the overall style or theme of the room you’re buying art for? If you wish to create a harmonious space, selecting pieces that will complement (not clash with) your existing room style is a good idea.

For example, if you’re looking for wall art for a classic living room, it might be wise to narrow down your search to classic, traditional artwork, like still life and landscapes. Getting wall art for a modern, contemporary home office? You may want to look at abstract art, minimalist monochrome pieces, or geometric patterns.