The Rules of Thumb for Buying Home Artwork – Which Should You Follow?

Have you ever wondered why heading to the, say, perfume shelf to pick a gift for a beloved one is ten times easier than carrying out the same task with a piece of artwork as the object of purchase? If so, you may be among the art admirers who take such undertakings a bit too seriously to allow themselves to enjoy what artists seek to offer to the world.

People encounter a general and common self-inflicted feeling of pressure and intimidation when the thought of buying artwork emerges. Why is getting some brushstrokes on a canvas so overwhelming? After all, isn’t art supposed to make you happy? If so, what makes emotions difficult to identify and what’s standing in people’s way of going with a piece they clearly feel enthusiastic about?

Despite widespread and tacit endorsements that buying art should imply zero rules, some rules of thumb are demonstrated to help ease the selection process and increase the chances of nailing the task. Ready to commence the quest to find those that work for you?

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Take emotions seriously, but only a bit

People encounter a common feeling of pressure when going art shopping, be it in galleries, thrift shops, or on the website of choice, to name three of the most common suppliers. Truth is, this activity isn’t that tall of an order. The main idea of what you’re buying is to convey the feelings you want your room to exude and help create the ambient intended. Art is a very powerful tool for transmitting emotions and can completely change the mood of an environment, not to add people’s emotions and the room’s style.

Do you want your canvas or sculpture to inspire you to be more self-reflective and profound? Or do you want your chosen artwork to remind you that sunshine comes after every rain and inflicts optimism and positivity? Possibly, you want your purchase to command the room’s attention and emphasize your fondness for visual beauty in the form of still mediums. There are as many ways artwork can talk to you as many paintings or drawings are there. From the Renaissance to expressionism to romance, each movement and style has a set of unwritten rules that define it, each expressing different things. This is why you see The Starry Night and other famous paintings serving as inspiration for some great movies out there.

Possibly, the world makes a tall order of something that should bring more enjoyment than stress. The one thing you should consider is how the artwork in front of your eyes makes you feel, for happiness and boredom can be easily confounded if you make a big deal of your art picking.

Assess your space

You may be inclined to think that the more blank space you have, the more art you can hang. Similarly, a nearly empty shelf could trick you into believing it can stand to accommodate numerous pieces of artwork. The truth is that many homeowners rush to agglomerate art on their walls or furniture and fail to consider something as important as the space that remains uncovered. For the large walls that may border your living area or bedroom, it’s safe to say that the 60%-75% rule can be your best guiding light.

The space that should be filled with art shouldn’t exceed 75% in order to make it look organized and not kitschy. Similarly, it’s important to choose colors from the same palettes if you’ll go with different styles or hues when you opt for one or two styles on a wall.

Use the power of three-dimensional art representations that go beyond the limitations of traditional flat items. Dare to make it bold with massive lighting installations, glimmering accents, textures, and so on. You can introduce pieces that fit your aesthetic and feel personal to you, so command attention if you want an outstanding room. It should all be a breeze as long as you don’t overdo your walls to the point where you barely identify the underlying paint.

Could you give it a personal touch?

Whether it’s your pet’s paw print art, holiday tidbits, or a lovely compilation of pics with your friends, a personal contribution to your art exhibition can take many forms. There are things that people hold dear, often representing their personalities and priorities, and all these can make the perfect object of art. With the white-hot arts and crafts movement that took over the world and was identified to be more satisfactory than work, it’s safe to say that running out of ideas, inspiration, resources, tips, and tricks is almost impossible. Making your space speak for you can go a long way in terms of how you embellish your rooms and improve their aesthetics.

You may include paintings created by friends and loved ones, supporting aspiring artists and ensuring your room is unmatched. Sentimental items, holiday souvenirs, family heirlooms, and other items can create a beautiful combination that simply “feels you.”  

Nail the lighting

Lastly, after you’ve gathered the artwork pieces you deem inspirational enough to be exhibited in your room, ensure you get the lighting properly. A piece of art can be intrinsically sublime, but if the lighting doesn’t emphasize its beauty and unicity, one can barely take it for what it’s worth. Dare to let the depth of emotions surface and the staggering particularities of your art items by putting them in the right light for better focus and visibility.

You can replace traditional lighting fixtures with adjustable ones for more flexibility regarding which elements and areas receive more lighting. Have a statement art piece? Then let it shine in the right light!

Cold color temperatures work for contemporary, state-of-the-art pieces, whereas warmer ones can perfectly elevate conventional artworks’ classical subjects. Striking a balance between natural and auxiliary light can help you make the most of your art exhibition at home, maintaining your pieces illuminated even in the coldest hours.

Now you know all these artist-endorsed aspects, are you ready to begin your artwork selection journey more confidently?

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