Does the idea of buying artwork seem intimidating to you? Maybe you know what you like, but you’re not sure what will work well in your home? Or where to hang pieces?

If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then the good news is you’re not alone. At AHG Interiors we’re breaking down how to select artwork and where to place it in your home.

Think About Artwork Style

Before you start shopping think about what style (or styles) of artwork you’re drawn towards. You can get ideas by browsing design publications and images on Houzz, Pinterest, and Instagram.

However it’s not as simple as picking a style you like, you’ll also have to think about what coordinates with the style of your home. Do you have a more traditional home or a more modern space? The artwork you choose doesn’t have to match exactly but should complement your interiors.

This means you can mix and match styles as long as they’re cohesive. Like modern art can work well in more traditional spaces and more traditional artwork can also work well in modern spaces. But there has to be cohesion, for example, bold street-inspired artwork wouldn’t work well in a Catskills farmhouse, but that doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate some modern pieces.

For more on this subject, check out How to Select Artwork for Your Design Style.

Statement Art vs. Accent Art

Next, you’ll want to consider if you’re looking for artwork to be the focal point of a space or for pieces that are accents to the room design. If you’re buying artwork for multiple rooms, maybe you’re looking for both types?

Artwork can serve as the inspiration for the design of a room if you’re designing a space from scratch. It can set the tone for a room not just with the style and color scheme but also with the mood of the piece. Ask yourself, how do you want to feel in this room? Depending on your answer you may realize you need something bold and bright or softer and muted. If you have a piece of artwork that is the main focal point of a space, then the rest of the design elements should balance it.

But artwork doesn’t always need to be the main event. In many cases, you’ll want to find pieces that round out the design of a space. So you’re looking to match and coordinate with existing colors in the space.

Buy Artwork You Love

First and foremost you should invest in artwork that you love.

Don’t get too worried about figuring out who’s going to be the next Andy Warhol, as even art experts can’t guarantee what’s going to skyrocket in value. Also, it usually takes decades if not generations for artwork to increase in value significantly.

Rather than focusing on the monetary value of a piece think about the emotional investment you’re making. You’re investing a lifetime of enjoyment in a piece and something special you can pass down to your family.

Buy pieces that have meaning. Learning more about the artist can deepen your connection and understanding of a piece. Otherwise associating an artwork with a special occasion or memory is another way it can have significance to you. View artwork as an extension of your style and personality – a way to share your unique story through design.

If you’re worried about getting tired of a piece after a while, it's good to note that if you really love it, it will be timeless.

At the same time don’t overthink it or put too much pressure on it. You don’t need to fall madly in love with every single piece of art in your home, some can just aesthetically coordinate with the space, like a great side table or accent chair.

Pay Attention to Scale and Placement of Artwork

When you’re looking for artwork to hang in a specific space, think about how the piece should fit within the design of the room. The factors you should consider are the size of the wall and the space available. Also, the color scheme, style, and lighting in the current space.

One big mistake homeowners make when hanging artwork in their homes is picking art that is not the right size for the space.

To avoid this, here are tips you should keep in mind:

Measure carefully, focusing on the empty wall space
Artwork should cover ⅔ to ¾ of the available wall space
Artwork should span ⅔ to ¾ of the width of the furniture it’s placed over

As a general rule of thumb, it’s better to go bigger than smaller. A piece that’s too small for a wall will look off. Also, the same guidelines apply for groupings of artwork, like a gallery wall. Consider the scale of the grouping as one piece.

If you’re having trouble with size, Franklin Arts has a handy wall art calculator to help guide the size of your artwork selections.

When thinking about art placement, don’t forget about protecting your artwork. This means framing it with UV protective and antireflective glass (or plexiglass). Also, be mindful of natural light, too much direct sunlight can cause artwork to fade. Significant temperature changes can also cause damage and warping to art so keep your home at a regular temperature and be mindful of hanging artwork near vents.

When you’re ready to hang art the center of the piece should be at eye level which is about 60 inches. This can vary though based on the height of the wall and if you’re hanging artwork around furnishings. Obviously, if you’re leaning artwork on shelves and filling a space with high ceilings that the 60-inch rule doesn’t always apply. Just keep the space as a whole in mind.

Consider What Artwork Suits Different Rooms in Your Home

Once you know what styles and sizes of art you’re looking for and where you’ll need to fill spaces in your home. You’ll also want to think about what types of work will work in each space. To start, think about the function of each room and how you want the space to feel and that’ll help inform the types of works for each space.

If you like statement artwork, think about placing them in your entryway, living room, and/or dining area. This is where you’ll want to include pieces that act as the focal point of the space and a conversation starter. The size, color, medium, and subject are all factors that can make a dramatic piece. Whether it’s bright or deep colors, something sculptural and intricate, large scale, or a striking theme.

When buying artwork for the kitchen, think about what will coordinate with the materials and color pallet in that space. You might already have a focal point like a large kitchen island with pendant lights, so you don’t want to choose artwork that’ll compete. Instead, go for accent pieces that’ll complement the space.

If you need artwork for bedrooms in your home, think about cool tones and calming themes. Since bedrooms are where you, your family, and guests sleep you’ll want to choose artwork that reflects that mood. This means staying away from anything that is too bright or energizing.

You can go one of two ways when hanging art in the bathroom. Bathrooms are great spots for calming and soothing pieces, especially if you want home spa vibes. Or you can also hang fun eclectic pieces, or works that you might have a hard time finding a spot for – anything that your guests may enjoy discovering while they visit.

For the home office consider works that either invoke a sense of calm or that you find motivating. Themes that work well are cityscapes and architectural-inspired work, or landscapes and nature-inspired pieces. Especially if it’s visible from your desk, think about what would be inspiring to look at while you’re working.

Also, don’t forget about other types of artwork. Most commonly people think of paintings or prints, but there are so many types of mediums out there to consider, from works on paper to textiles to sculptures and ceramics.

Get Professional Guidance From an Interior Designer

If you’re feeling stuck and want professional guidance to find the right artwork for your home, then AHG Interiors can help!

Each project starts with you. We’ll help you find artwork that reflects your unique personality while complimenting the design and style of your home.

Not to mention, we’ll make the whole process as seamless as possible. We’ll narrow down the selection for you, so you don’t have to worry about sifting through a sea of options. Once your pieces are selected we’ll manage the ordering and delivery process, organize custom framing, and will install the work in your home. All stress-free!

Maybe you found a piece you love but it’s already sold, or it’s not the right size or color for a specific space. Not to worry, we can work with the artist or gallery directly to commission a custom artwork for you.

How to Select Artwork and Where to Place It in Your Home

Does the idea of buying artwork seem intimidating to you? Maybe you know what you like, but you’re not sure what will work well in your home? Or where to hang pieces?

If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then the good news is you’re not alone. At AHG Interiors we’re breaking down how to select artwork and where to place it in your home.

Think About Artwork Style

Before you start shopping think about what style (or styles) of artwork you’re drawn towards. You can get ideas by browsing design publications and images on Houzz, Pinterest, and Instagram.

However it’s not as simple as picking a style you like, you’ll also have to think about what coordinates with the style of your home. Do you have a more traditional home or a more modern space? The artwork you choose doesn’t have to match exactly but should complement your interiors.

For more on this subject, check out How to Select Artwork for Your Design Style.

Statement Art vs. Accent Art

Next, you’ll want to consider if you’re looking for artwork to be the focal point of a space or for pieces that are accents to the room design. If you’re buying artwork for multiple rooms, maybe you’re looking for both types?

But artwork doesn’t always need to be the main event. In many cases, you’ll want to find pieces that round out the design of a space. So you’re looking to match and coordinate with existing colors in the space.

Buy Artwork You Love

First and foremost you should invest in artwork that you love.

Don’t get too worried about figuring out who’s going to be the next Andy Warhol, as even art experts can’t guarantee what’s going to skyrocket in value. Also, it usually takes decades if not generations for artwork to increase in value significantly.

Rather than focusing on the monetary value of a piece think about the emotional investment you’re making. You’re investing a lifetime of enjoyment in a piece and something special you can pass down to your family.

If you’re worried about getting tired of a piece after a while, it's good to note that if you really love it, it will be timeless.

At the same time don’t overthink it or put too much pressure on it. You don’t need to fall madly in love with every single piece of art in your home, some can just aesthetically coordinate with the space, like a great side table or accent chair.

Pay Attention to Scale and Placement of Artwork

When you’re looking for artwork to hang in a specific space, think about how the piece should fit within the design of the room. The factors you should consider are the size of the wall and the space available. Also, the color scheme, style, and lighting in the current space.

One big mistake homeowners make when hanging artwork in their homes is picking art that is not the right size for the space.

To avoid this, here are tips you should keep in mind:

Measure carefully, focusing on the empty wall space

Artwork should cover ⅔ to ¾ of the available wall space

Artwork should span ⅔ to ¾ of the width of the furniture it’s placed over

As a general rule of thumb, it’s better to go bigger than smaller. A piece that’s too small for a wall will look off. Also, the same guidelines apply for groupings of artwork, like a gallery wall. Consider the scale of the grouping as one piece.

If you’re having trouble with size, Franklin Arts has a handy wall art calculator to help guide the size of your artwork selections.

Consider What Artwork Suits Different Rooms in Your Home

If you need artwork for bedrooms in your home, think about cool tones and calming themes. Since bedrooms are where you, your family, and guests sleep you’ll want to choose artwork that reflects that mood. This means staying away from anything that is too bright or energizing.

Also, don’t forget about other types of artwork. Most commonly people think of paintings or prints, but there are so many types of mediums out there to consider, from works on paper to textiles to sculptures and ceramics.

Get Professional Guidance From an Interior Designer

If you’re feeling stuck and want professional guidance to find the right artwork for your home, then AHG Interiors can help!

Each project starts with you. We’ll help you find artwork that reflects your unique personality while complimenting the design and style of your home.

Maybe you found a piece you love but it’s already sold, or it’s not the right size or color for a specific space. Not to worry, we can work with the artist or gallery directly to commission a custom artwork for you.

Ready to get started? Contact us today to talk about your project!