Decorating
10 Times Artwork Shaped a Room’s Décor (And How Yours Can, Too)
From the statement to the minimal, discover how to harmonise your space with art
Artwork can be one of the most effective tools for tying together an interior design scheme, but it’s often overlooked in favour of feature furnishings. The right artwork in the right space can be just as successful at highlighting and complementing certain colours or textures in your existing scheme, and it will also add depth to your room. Not simply ornamental, artwork adds another level of interest to a space through its unique, personal nature, and its power to evoke an emotional reaction.
Work minimalism for maximum effect
Neutral works needn’t be understated. If you’re trying to achieve a pared-back style, minimal artworks that are low on colour and form but high on technique are guaranteed to bring a light and airy feel to any space, with the added bonus of being a breeze to style around.
Framed in white, and with a wealth of negative space, this artwork blends seamlessly into the room without getting lost. Hung close to the dresser and offset by petite ornaments in the foreground, this work remains the centrepiece of an elegantly organised scheme.
Neutral works needn’t be understated. If you’re trying to achieve a pared-back style, minimal artworks that are low on colour and form but high on technique are guaranteed to bring a light and airy feel to any space, with the added bonus of being a breeze to style around.
Framed in white, and with a wealth of negative space, this artwork blends seamlessly into the room without getting lost. Hung close to the dresser and offset by petite ornaments in the foreground, this work remains the centrepiece of an elegantly organised scheme.
Feature a masterpiece
Murals and large-panel artworks have the benefit of scale to heighten impact, making an impressive backdrop for your furnishings and home accents.
While compact, cosy rooms don’t immediately lend themselves to expansive artworks, if you have a small space, you needn’t shy away from the big and the bold. To ensure your chosen work doesn’t overpower a room, whether you’re using a single artwork or a group, ensure it fits and fills the space allocated – there’s nothing worse than a small artwork floating aimlessly on a large wall!
For added cohesion, consider your colour palette and try reflecting any highlight tones in your artwork throughout the room.
Murals and large-panel artworks have the benefit of scale to heighten impact, making an impressive backdrop for your furnishings and home accents.
While compact, cosy rooms don’t immediately lend themselves to expansive artworks, if you have a small space, you needn’t shy away from the big and the bold. To ensure your chosen work doesn’t overpower a room, whether you’re using a single artwork or a group, ensure it fits and fills the space allocated – there’s nothing worse than a small artwork floating aimlessly on a large wall!
For added cohesion, consider your colour palette and try reflecting any highlight tones in your artwork throughout the room.
Mix up the mediums
Art isn’t limited to a 2D format. When selecting your next piece, make sure you explore the myriad mediums available. Works with a more sculptural or tactile feel will offer you the chance to echo textures and materials throughout your space to create a layered environment.
Each different style of art will enhance your room differently, so whether it’s textiles, ceramics, sculpture or even an installation, consider the atmosphere you’re looking to create with your art.
Art isn’t limited to a 2D format. When selecting your next piece, make sure you explore the myriad mediums available. Works with a more sculptural or tactile feel will offer you the chance to echo textures and materials throughout your space to create a layered environment.
Each different style of art will enhance your room differently, so whether it’s textiles, ceramics, sculpture or even an installation, consider the atmosphere you’re looking to create with your art.
Make it pop
When buying a piece of art, personal choice should always prevail, and any art buyer will know that, no matter the style of the work, if you love it, you’ll make it fit.
Pop art is loud by name and by nature, with the intention of making a statement. Characterised by iconic designs and bursting colours, this genre of art is the perfect mix of playful and sophisticated, warranting a loud and proud décor scheme to match.
Despite its bold colours, this iconic work by Sir Peter Blake blends beautifully with the space. Placed on a moody backdrop of deep grey, the piece makes a bright statement, with fun, typographic cushions to create a whimsical dialogue.
When buying a piece of art, personal choice should always prevail, and any art buyer will know that, no matter the style of the work, if you love it, you’ll make it fit.
Pop art is loud by name and by nature, with the intention of making a statement. Characterised by iconic designs and bursting colours, this genre of art is the perfect mix of playful and sophisticated, warranting a loud and proud décor scheme to match.
Despite its bold colours, this iconic work by Sir Peter Blake blends beautifully with the space. Placed on a moody backdrop of deep grey, the piece makes a bright statement, with fun, typographic cushions to create a whimsical dialogue.
Achieve a balance
Diptych artworks can be used to enhance the symmetry of a room, bringing in a tailored, clean feel. This living room has an effortless, minimal aesthetic that’s emphasised by neutral tones and a choice of softly abstracted artworks. Painted wall panels unobtrusively divide the space, acting as a scaffolding to tie the two separated pieces together.
Work around the main asset of the room, be it a sofa, a dresser or a bed, and echo its symmetry with your artwork. This is a beautifully colour-coordinated scheme, but don’t be afraid to really make the space your own.
Following the structural lines of a room and mirroring a pre-existing symmetry allows you total freedom of choice with your artwork, so go bold and embrace some colour.
Diptych artworks can be used to enhance the symmetry of a room, bringing in a tailored, clean feel. This living room has an effortless, minimal aesthetic that’s emphasised by neutral tones and a choice of softly abstracted artworks. Painted wall panels unobtrusively divide the space, acting as a scaffolding to tie the two separated pieces together.
Work around the main asset of the room, be it a sofa, a dresser or a bed, and echo its symmetry with your artwork. This is a beautifully colour-coordinated scheme, but don’t be afraid to really make the space your own.
Following the structural lines of a room and mirroring a pre-existing symmetry allows you total freedom of choice with your artwork, so go bold and embrace some colour.
Coordinated framing
Not only do these works blend beautifully with the bedroom décor simply through a mirroring of colours, but strategically chosen frames further help to fuse the space.
Wooden tray frames have been used here, matching the materials of the feature furniture in the bedroom and creating an elegant finish. A shadow gap between frame and canvas emphasises the paintings by offsetting their fluid, abstract style.
Regardless of your décor choices, through a slight alteration of framing and mount style, you can transform your artwork into a decorative tool that complements your existing interior.
Not only do these works blend beautifully with the bedroom décor simply through a mirroring of colours, but strategically chosen frames further help to fuse the space.
Wooden tray frames have been used here, matching the materials of the feature furniture in the bedroom and creating an elegant finish. A shadow gap between frame and canvas emphasises the paintings by offsetting their fluid, abstract style.
Regardless of your décor choices, through a slight alteration of framing and mount style, you can transform your artwork into a decorative tool that complements your existing interior.
Style up a whole wall
When we consider the implications of coordinating art with our interiors, a curated salon hang doesn’t necessarily spring to mind. A series of mismatched artworks of different colours, sizes and subjects doesn’t scream ‘easy to match’, but you’d be surprised at how effective it can be.
This living room’s feature wall brings intrigue and energy to what might have been a problematic space to fill. Hanging large artworks in the centre will make the eye travel in a circular motion, lengthening the room, while repeating highlight colours within accents across the room will ensure the space looks edited as opposed to disparate.
How to create the perfect gallery wall – an insider’s guide
When we consider the implications of coordinating art with our interiors, a curated salon hang doesn’t necessarily spring to mind. A series of mismatched artworks of different colours, sizes and subjects doesn’t scream ‘easy to match’, but you’d be surprised at how effective it can be.
This living room’s feature wall brings intrigue and energy to what might have been a problematic space to fill. Hanging large artworks in the centre will make the eye travel in a circular motion, lengthening the room, while repeating highlight colours within accents across the room will ensure the space looks edited as opposed to disparate.
How to create the perfect gallery wall – an insider’s guide
Pay attention to the details
Neutral colour palettes can easily be upscaled and elevated with an added touch of pattern or texture. Traditional flora- and fauna-themed prints have a timeless and sophisticated aesthetic, bringing understated elegance to a space.
In this living room, note how royal blue tones are echoed in the subtly patterned sofa cushions, while the organic texture of the works is enhanced by fluid, sculptural table lamps.
Don’t be afraid to obscure your artworks, or to hang them close to furnishings, as it can be a great way to create a cohesion between artwork and furnishings, forming a curated and conversational space.
Neutral colour palettes can easily be upscaled and elevated with an added touch of pattern or texture. Traditional flora- and fauna-themed prints have a timeless and sophisticated aesthetic, bringing understated elegance to a space.
In this living room, note how royal blue tones are echoed in the subtly patterned sofa cushions, while the organic texture of the works is enhanced by fluid, sculptural table lamps.
Don’t be afraid to obscure your artworks, or to hang them close to furnishings, as it can be a great way to create a cohesion between artwork and furnishings, forming a curated and conversational space.
Create an atmosphere
This is a delightfully eclectic space featuring a range of patterns, colours, textures and furnishings, all tied together with a large-scale abstract artwork. The room is filled with natural light, lending itself well to bright colours.
When styling a room, be guided by the atmosphere you want to create, and be aspirational with your décor. Are you aiming for a calm and tranquil space, or an eclectic and inspiring environment? Let your choice of work lead your décor and don’t be afraid to clash patterns and colours. Be confident with your styling and your artwork will take pride of place.
How has your choice of artwork influenced your decorating choices? Share your tips in the Comments below.
This is a delightfully eclectic space featuring a range of patterns, colours, textures and furnishings, all tied together with a large-scale abstract artwork. The room is filled with natural light, lending itself well to bright colours.
When styling a room, be guided by the atmosphere you want to create, and be aspirational with your décor. Are you aiming for a calm and tranquil space, or an eclectic and inspiring environment? Let your choice of work lead your décor and don’t be afraid to clash patterns and colours. Be confident with your styling and your artwork will take pride of place.
How has your choice of artwork influenced your decorating choices? Share your tips in the Comments below.
Leading with colour is a fundamental and foolproof approach to interior design, and a technique that can easily be accentuated through the use of art. Regardless of which comes first – the decoration and furnishings or the artwork – try to select just one colour and echo it in both elements.
The predominant use of blue in this living room is spread across the space in varying shades, creating harmony and strengthening the overall design of the room. A cool-toned artwork takes pride of place, strategically hung equidistant from both the ceiling and sofa to draw the eye upwards and further cement the tranquil mood.
10 ways to style with abstract art