Art casts such a very big shadow for such a small word. It encompasses so many things and is felt in so many ways. There are few adjectives that you can’t use to describe different kinds of art and all the feelings they evoke.
Attempting to write an article about art and the connection it has to your home can become quite a project in itself. There are just so many directions I could take this little piece of advice. Let’s begin by reminding ourselves of a short and sweet definition of art.
If we’re using the definition from Britannica.com, then art is “a visual object or experience consciously created through an expression of skill or imagination.” So, you can see art and feel it, it’s done on purpose, and it uses skills, some natural and some acquired, and a pinch to a scoop of imagination.
Because art has the ability to make you feel, to set moods, and to speak without words, it is an important tool in creating the perfect space for you and your family. Choosing art that moves you and that means something to you is the ONLY way to choose art.
Art can add interest and life to a room or it can be the focal point. It can connect your family and remind you of all you’ve been through or experiences you’ve had. You should not only love the way specific pieces look but they should represent your spirit and values . If you aren’t one that thinks along the lines of art having meaning, I challenge you to go deeper. Be thoughtful and consciously choose the items you surround yourself with. You won’t be sorry.
The only exception to choosing art that is meaningful is choosing art you absolutely love. If you are a creator your art should be in your home. If you find art that you are strongly drawn to then that’s the art you hang. While I have been guilty of this myself in the past, I truly feel that you shouldn’t hang something just to take up space.
We live in a world of fast and quick and it can easily spill into every crevice of our lives. Fight that. If art is consciously created, it should also be consciously chosen. So, you have an empty wall for a while. I would rather have a missing piece than a piece that just doesn’t fit. I know that there are differing views on this, but I do think that allowing the blank space makes it even sweeter when you find the right item or artwork to fill it. Spend your time, effort, and funds on something that adds to your life instead of using your resources on placeholders.
My sister, for example, has collected original art from her artist friends and family members for her home. It’s an awesome thing to have original art in your house and it’s even better when you know and love the artists.
My mom is another example. She is a lifelong stitcher. Cross stitch is her passion and has been since I can remember. There was even a span where she worked part time in addition to her full time job just to fund her love of all things cross stitch. Her home, or at least much of it, is a cross stitch gallery celebrating the joy it brings her and the designers who she admires.
The meaning behind the wall art you choose doesn’t need to be abundantly clear to anyone but you and your family. I suggest and live by not having much word art, if any. To me art is an abstract thing. It can have layers and depth in a way that something written in large font can’t. If I want words I read a book. Sorry, I’m trying not to be that person who is authoritatively pushing my opinion off as fact but I definitely have chosen a side in this fight. Moving on!
There are a few things to consider along with the actual images you want to add to a room.
First, size. Size matters when wanting to attain the “right” feel of the room. An 8” x 10” painting on 10 foot by 20 foot blank wall is wrong in almost all circumstances. The same goes for an 8 foot by 8 foot print on an 8 foot by 9 foot wall. Most of us want proportion as proportion translates into comfort. When deciding on the size of art for a particular spot consider negative space. That blank space around the art can play a big part in making the size of the art feel just right.
You can place an oversized or large scale piece of art as a focal point for the room as well. The focal point is the first thing that draws your eye when you look into a room. And being the first thing you see in a space you want it to complement and enhance the mood and sentiment you’re trying to achieve here.
Gallery walls can be very beautiful and useful when adding art to a large wall. I know some people say they’re out and some people say they’re in. If you take a little stroll through interior design history you will see gallery walls throughout. They are classic and in my opinion classic is always in style.
Don’t forget about lighting! Don’t hide that special artwork in a dark corner. Art is meant to be seen, remember. There are several ways to shine some light on those pieces without hardwiring nowadays so keep that in mind when making choices on location and size. A simple rechargeable sconce, besides adding a cozy factor, can draw attention to a piece of art you’d like to feature.
To sum it all up, hang art that means something to you, that moves you, and that you absolutely love. Chances are if you buy art just to fill a space, you will be refilling that space again soon. Go for art that screams about your passions, your values, your family, and leave the meaningless random flower art behind- unless, of course, those were the flowers your Grandma always brought you when you were sick.
