Decorating
10 Ways to Style With Abstract Art
Discover how to uplift and energise your home with abstract art, whatever its style or size
Abstract artworks are the perfect accompaniment to an array of interior styles and décor schemes. Whether you wish to coordinate with the contemporary or clash with the classical, a bright and bold abstract piece will complete your space and add energy to your home.
Fill the space
Hanging a triptych of works by one artist is a great way to fill a large wall and create a statement. Large panel pieces like these are ideal for properties with high ceilings. Their sheer height will elongate the space, while a dark, rich colour scheme works to create a closeness by drawing the focal point of the room inwards.
Abstract art is characterised by its lack of recognisable figuration, making it a strong style for large pieces in particular. Whether the work is textural and expressive, or minimal like this, the use of bold colour and shape will easily cohere with a range of interior styles. The smooth flow of paint bridges the gaps between these panels, creating a statement that has room to breathe and doesn’t overwhelm the room.
Depending on the size of space you’re looking to fill, it might be worth getting in contact with an artist whose work you’re drawn to and asking whether he or she would be willing to create a commissioned work.
See 12 inventive ways to display your art
Hanging a triptych of works by one artist is a great way to fill a large wall and create a statement. Large panel pieces like these are ideal for properties with high ceilings. Their sheer height will elongate the space, while a dark, rich colour scheme works to create a closeness by drawing the focal point of the room inwards.
Abstract art is characterised by its lack of recognisable figuration, making it a strong style for large pieces in particular. Whether the work is textural and expressive, or minimal like this, the use of bold colour and shape will easily cohere with a range of interior styles. The smooth flow of paint bridges the gaps between these panels, creating a statement that has room to breathe and doesn’t overwhelm the room.
Depending on the size of space you’re looking to fill, it might be worth getting in contact with an artist whose work you’re drawn to and asking whether he or she would be willing to create a commissioned work.
See 12 inventive ways to display your art
Frame for emphasis
A clever way to fill the space while still allowing a loud and colourful artwork to breathe is to select a diptych or triptych of similar works and frame them identically.
Abstract paintings are often purchased unframed, offering you as a collector the choice of which style of hang would be best suited to your home. Artworks with lowlights or dark undertones are well suited to a strong border and, here, the use of black frames helps to create a flow within the space. These works have been hung to sit close to the top of the sofa, which adds a neat and assembled feel to the space.
When hanging in this style, always measure the entire space and don’t forget to include the width of the frame before deciding how much of a gap you’d like to leave between the works. Don’t be tempted to fill the space widthways by leaving plenty of space between a series of pieces, as they may dissolve into the negative space and lose impact.
A clever way to fill the space while still allowing a loud and colourful artwork to breathe is to select a diptych or triptych of similar works and frame them identically.
Abstract paintings are often purchased unframed, offering you as a collector the choice of which style of hang would be best suited to your home. Artworks with lowlights or dark undertones are well suited to a strong border and, here, the use of black frames helps to create a flow within the space. These works have been hung to sit close to the top of the sofa, which adds a neat and assembled feel to the space.
When hanging in this style, always measure the entire space and don’t forget to include the width of the frame before deciding how much of a gap you’d like to leave between the works. Don’t be tempted to fill the space widthways by leaving plenty of space between a series of pieces, as they may dissolve into the negative space and lose impact.
Unify the unconventional
Abstract artworks are bold by nature, allowing you to be especially creative with your arrangement. Don’t be tempted simply to hang a bright artwork on a white wall.
As this interior demonstrates, a colourful and expressive piece is often even more impactful when placed on a dark backdrop, be it patterned wallpaper or paint. Here the colour scheme has been carefully considered, as the deep blue of the wall syncs with the blue accents in each artwork.
Bright, statement pieces will easily burst out against a dark interior colour palette and elaborate the drama of the space, ensuring your prized piece is not lost among neutrals. Justify your intention further by playing with the scale and alignment. Despite having similar colour palettes, these works differ in subject, orientation and size, creating a playful pairing.
Abstract artworks are bold by nature, allowing you to be especially creative with your arrangement. Don’t be tempted simply to hang a bright artwork on a white wall.
As this interior demonstrates, a colourful and expressive piece is often even more impactful when placed on a dark backdrop, be it patterned wallpaper or paint. Here the colour scheme has been carefully considered, as the deep blue of the wall syncs with the blue accents in each artwork.
Bright, statement pieces will easily burst out against a dark interior colour palette and elaborate the drama of the space, ensuring your prized piece is not lost among neutrals. Justify your intention further by playing with the scale and alignment. Despite having similar colour palettes, these works differ in subject, orientation and size, creating a playful pairing.
Dare to go small
When styling with abstract art, bigger isn’t necessarily always better. Petite works can be just as high-impact and can also be a great way of filling small or overlooked spaces. The temptation may be to hang one large work above a mantelpiece or headboard, but here a collection of small, similar works demand attention without competing with the main feature of the room: the bed.
Subtly textured wallpaper in a neutral tone is a great backdrop for small works with heavy frames and strong geometry. Hanging a series of pieces vertically also helps to draw the eye up and elongate the height of a space.
When selecting a collection of works like this, it’s worth finding an artist who paints in a style you love, be it geometric, expressive or minimal, and sourcing a series that works particularly well together. Before hanging, lay the works out on the floor to decide which look strongest together and in what order, and to determine how to space them.
When styling with abstract art, bigger isn’t necessarily always better. Petite works can be just as high-impact and can also be a great way of filling small or overlooked spaces. The temptation may be to hang one large work above a mantelpiece or headboard, but here a collection of small, similar works demand attention without competing with the main feature of the room: the bed.
Subtly textured wallpaper in a neutral tone is a great backdrop for small works with heavy frames and strong geometry. Hanging a series of pieces vertically also helps to draw the eye up and elongate the height of a space.
When selecting a collection of works like this, it’s worth finding an artist who paints in a style you love, be it geometric, expressive or minimal, and sourcing a series that works particularly well together. Before hanging, lay the works out on the floor to decide which look strongest together and in what order, and to determine how to space them.
Mix it up
Art can stand out amid a wonderfully eclectic mix of furniture, décor, ornaments and objects. Be bold, mix it up and bring it all together with your artworks. Several styles of pictures are hung here, from abstract to figurative and landscape, all in different frames suited to each individual piece.
This boldly styled scheme is a perfect example of how an abstract artwork can tie a space together. The layout of the room ensures that, despite the large scale of this abstract piece, it doesn’t monopolise one’s attention. Bold and diverse ornaments in the opposite corner help to balance the strong primary colours and create harmony within the space.
Art can stand out amid a wonderfully eclectic mix of furniture, décor, ornaments and objects. Be bold, mix it up and bring it all together with your artworks. Several styles of pictures are hung here, from abstract to figurative and landscape, all in different frames suited to each individual piece.
This boldly styled scheme is a perfect example of how an abstract artwork can tie a space together. The layout of the room ensures that, despite the large scale of this abstract piece, it doesn’t monopolise one’s attention. Bold and diverse ornaments in the opposite corner help to balance the strong primary colours and create harmony within the space.
Contrast with your furnishings
When selecting an artwork for a specific space, consider its aesthetic and how it might coordinate with your furnishings. Here, a stark and minimal geometric display table provides a strong backdrop for a nebulous abstract painting. Works consisting of undulating lines and blended colours will often work surprisingly well within a strong, sharp, geometric space.
Considering how you hang your artwork is crucial, as it can help to further unify the space. The thin black metal frame used here perfectly mimics the body of the table, while its closeness to the tabletop helps to coalesce the two separate features.
This style of hang is highly suitable for a hallway, setting the tone of the home by combining an original artwork with elegant, modern furnishings in a deliberate way.
When selecting an artwork for a specific space, consider its aesthetic and how it might coordinate with your furnishings. Here, a stark and minimal geometric display table provides a strong backdrop for a nebulous abstract painting. Works consisting of undulating lines and blended colours will often work surprisingly well within a strong, sharp, geometric space.
Considering how you hang your artwork is crucial, as it can help to further unify the space. The thin black metal frame used here perfectly mimics the body of the table, while its closeness to the tabletop helps to coalesce the two separate features.
This style of hang is highly suitable for a hallway, setting the tone of the home by combining an original artwork with elegant, modern furnishings in a deliberate way.
Colour coordinate
Art can often be used to expand upon the colour palette that already exists in your space. When browsing for a piece, assess the most prominent colours in your chosen room and delve through your favourite artists’ portfolios to see which works may match.
Don’t be afraid to select a piece that contains colours that work with your interior, but perhaps has another tone or contrasting colour shining through. This is an easy way to introduce additional shades to the space.
This Bruce McLean monoprint contains earthy, darker tones and bold geometry that help to guide the eye over every aspect of the room, from the soft furnishings to the hearth, while a white mount and frame blends the piece well with the hard furnishings.
Art can often be used to expand upon the colour palette that already exists in your space. When browsing for a piece, assess the most prominent colours in your chosen room and delve through your favourite artists’ portfolios to see which works may match.
Don’t be afraid to select a piece that contains colours that work with your interior, but perhaps has another tone or contrasting colour shining through. This is an easy way to introduce additional shades to the space.
This Bruce McLean monoprint contains earthy, darker tones and bold geometry that help to guide the eye over every aspect of the room, from the soft furnishings to the hearth, while a white mount and frame blends the piece well with the hard furnishings.
Bracket a feature
Abstract art is a highly popular medium primarily because it’s able to tick so many boxes in one piece, displaying colour, form, texture and expressive paintwork. Artworks come in varying degrees of abstraction, and whether the hint of a landscape lingers within the brushwork and colour palette, or no conceivable concept can be found, the choice is yours entirely and personal preference should always prevail.
Strong, warm colours and the hint of a horizon characterise the works in this space. Bracketing a main feature of the room – be it a fireplace or a TV – with two artworks from the same artist in a similar style will ensure the space is tied together without the works stealing focus.
Deep tray frames have been used here, subtly hiding any rough edges of the canvas without covering the work in glass and creating a glare that may detract from the texture of the brushwork.
Abstract art is a highly popular medium primarily because it’s able to tick so many boxes in one piece, displaying colour, form, texture and expressive paintwork. Artworks come in varying degrees of abstraction, and whether the hint of a landscape lingers within the brushwork and colour palette, or no conceivable concept can be found, the choice is yours entirely and personal preference should always prevail.
Strong, warm colours and the hint of a horizon characterise the works in this space. Bracketing a main feature of the room – be it a fireplace or a TV – with two artworks from the same artist in a similar style will ensure the space is tied together without the works stealing focus.
Deep tray frames have been used here, subtly hiding any rough edges of the canvas without covering the work in glass and creating a glare that may detract from the texture of the brushwork.
Mirror for effect
If you have a large room to fill and scale is on your side, bold pieces are the way forwards. Don’t be afraid to use all of the space available to you, or risk forever trying to make an impact with mid-sized pieces that could get lost on an expansive white wall.
When styling with large-scale statement works, it’s often worth selecting pieces you can’t live without and coordinating your furnishings around this feature. That way, there won’t be any conflict and, no matter how bold your artworks are, there will be a premeditated feel to the space.
Two identical yet mirrored pieces are hung here, perfectly filling the space, while a glass tabletop subtly reflects the blue beautifully among a palette of neutrals.
How have you hung treasured artworks in your home? Tell us in the Comments below.
If you have a large room to fill and scale is on your side, bold pieces are the way forwards. Don’t be afraid to use all of the space available to you, or risk forever trying to make an impact with mid-sized pieces that could get lost on an expansive white wall.
When styling with large-scale statement works, it’s often worth selecting pieces you can’t live without and coordinating your furnishings around this feature. That way, there won’t be any conflict and, no matter how bold your artworks are, there will be a premeditated feel to the space.
Two identical yet mirrored pieces are hung here, perfectly filling the space, while a glass tabletop subtly reflects the blue beautifully among a palette of neutrals.
How have you hung treasured artworks in your home? Tell us in the Comments below.
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Abstract artworks needn’t be a multi-coloured mass of movement. Many artists stick to neutral or earthy colour palettes that will bring warmth and elegance to a room.
This particular work is richly textural, drawing the eye away from the smooth-edged, modern furnishings and creating a new focal point.
When styling with abstract art, don’t feel obliged to prioritise bright colours. Instead, try identifying the key tones in your chosen room and coordinate a specific piece or series of works accordingly.
Gold and white feature in this statement piece, lucidly creating a cohesion within the room while still allowing a creative and colourful choice of accessories.
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