Hiring an art consultant or an interior designer can be costly. While nothing can compare to a professionally-designed home, there’s always space to explore your inner designer. And you can start with a wall, a corner of a room, or even a small room to avoid being overwhelmed with a project.
It can start with a cut-and-paste design board. Or bookmarking living room art that you feel might fit your space. If you currently have artwork, but would like to switch it out with a new one, finding a place with affordable art is important.
Understanding the Role of Art in Interior Design
People often forget about art’s role beyond beauty. Living room art is not just something that looks good. Gather artwork mirroring your spirit and seek pieces you adore.
- It adds depth, character, and enhances the overall aesthetic.
- It serves as a medium for storytelling.
- It reflects cultural themes and your personal values.
There are a multitude of options to enhance the room, including poster art prints, canvas prints, small sculptures, pottery, porcelain, rugs, tapestries, and more.
Setting a Vision for Your Space
Consider your intent. Do you like a vibrant or moody interior? Here is where a vision board can assist you in the process.
Define Your Style
Wander through art galleries to find things you really like. Let that spark creativity with different styles and artists.
For uncluttered, useful spaces, consider artwork leaning towards simplicity, maybe even starkness.
Consider a mix of vintage and contemporary prints. These combine classic charm with modern flair. You can also layer in geometric patterns to give character and sophistication. For a bit of feminine touch, consider Art Deco style with earthy or pastel colors.
Consider the Room’s Function
Understand the function of your space. The best living room art pieces are those that can spark conversations. Expressionist paintings or abstract posters show subjective themes and emotions.
Consider calm artwork in intimate spaces like the bedroom. This will add to the serene and peaceful atmosphere. Still life paintings and nature-themed artworks bring abundance to the dining area.
Budget-Friendly Strategies for Curating Living Room Art
You don’t need to go over your budget to achieve aesthetic living room art. There are alternative art sources online that are affordable and stylish.
Mix High and Low
Rotate your collection with various art forms at different price points. Blend paintings, photos, and prints. Having both splurge items alongside budget finds makes a gallery wall seem thoughtfully chosen.
Another option is to choose opulent works as your statement pieces or focal points. A well-chosen artwork defines the essence of your room.
Explore Accessible Sources
Browse online marketplaces that offer affordable art like Hive Artes. Score great deals for a low price with the same high-end quality as original works. Limited edition prints are also exclusive to you at an affordable price.
Placement and Composition Tips
Most designers prefer art displayed 57 inches from the floor. No one wants to tilt their head back and forth to view the art. It should always be at eye level.
Scale and Proportion
Interior designers play with scale and proportions, depending on their vision for the space. For example, a large-scale living room art has the power to capture attention. Avoid placing small pieces on huge walls. They will just appear lost with a lack of visual impact. Go big with one striking artwork, then sprinkle in smaller pieces to keep things interesting.
Generally, pictures ought to fill roughly two-thirds of the wall over sofas or tables. Artwork sized incorrectly, either massive or tiny, tends to throw off a room’s balance, making it seem boxed in or messy. Instead, try arranging multiple prints together for a unified effect.
Create a Gallery Wall
Every space needs a wow factor with a gallery wall. A focal point allows the eye to focus on the living room art that you want to highlight. Whether you want to keep it minimal or adorn every wall with decor, always make sure that there is harmony and visual balance.
When choosing which wall to decorate, interior designers prefer the one with a prominent feature, like behind a sofa. The main seating area naturally draws the eye to the gallery wall above it. Hanging art pieces together adds visual interest to your living room.
Color and Theme Coordination
Choosing a specific color palette and theme reflects your personal taste. It doesn’t have to match perfectly. Contrast helps other elements stand out.
For instance, a bold painting with rich reds and yellows can still become a focal point in a neutral or muted room.
Cozy up your space with nature-themed prints to achieve a peaceful atmosphere. Abstract paintings are also open to interpretation and can be a perfect conversation starter.
Layering with Decor and Lighting
Proper lighting makes your gallery wall stand out. Paint your wall with a lacquer finish to reflect natural light.
In darker rooms, choose LED picture lights, rather than lighting the whole gallery wall for a dramatic effect. You can mount these above or beside your living room art collection. Accent lighting also brings drama and focus.
Light layering helps achieve visual harmony. Simply balance large statement pieces with smaller fixtures like wall sconces. For contemporary rooms, install pendant lights in matte black or brass. This will add elegance to your space.
Personalize Your Living Room Art With What You Love
You don’t have to break the bank decorating with living room art. Designers share simple ways to refresh your place.
Let your artwork speak volumes. Show who you are, not merely what looks good. A room should work well while making you feel truly like this is a beautiful, comfortable space that helps you relax, spark your creativity, or create an inviting feel for your guests.
