Artwork in the home is something that can truly reflect the personality and style of you and your family. When it comes to choosing just the right artwork for you, there are many factors to take into consideration, to ensure that your chosen piece(s) are the perfect addition for you and your family.
To help along your decision making journey, we’ve collated our best do’s and don’ts for when it comes to purchasing the right artwork, how to place it in the home, and how to best look after your pieces.
DO: Let it spark joy!
In the words of now world-renowned ‘Kon-Marie’ creator, Marie Kondo, the items you choose to invite into your home should spark joy! Especially when it comes to your art selections. This is the golden rule to apply to any art piece you bring into your home.
Does it make you happy when you look at it? Does it reflect a beautiful moment or memory? Does it simply make you feel good, knowing it’s in your home? If you answered ‘yes’ to all of the above, then your choice may just be one to spark joy!
DO: Choose artwork that reflects your personality.
Choosing artwork is about so much more than selecting a piece that suits the decor or space itself. It’s about emotional resonance and connection. It’s personal.
According to an article published in the Spruce earlier this year: ‘One of the most frequently asked questions designers get is, “How do I choose the right artwork?”. Artwork is what helps define the personality of the homeowner and their space. It’s useful in tying certain pieces together and creating character in a home. The best thing about art is that it’s an investment you can take with you as you move…’
Think about the type of story you want to tell with your art. Do you want a collection of images that each reflect the personalities of members in your family? One single image that has a powerful resonance and presence? These questions will be a great starting point.
DON’T: Put small pieces alone on large walls.
When you are investing in a beautiful, customised artwork, you want the art to be the showcase piece, something that immediately draws your attention.
According to Emma Beryl of Beryl design, small artwork on large blank walls means your artwork will not be the focal point of the room that it deserves to be. She says:
“No matter how beautiful your artwork is, it will not be showcased to its full potential if it’s getting lost on your big blank walls…As a good rule of thumb, artwork should be between two thirds to three quarters of the size of a piece of furniture that it’s being hung above (think the width of a sofa or a bed).” Beryl continues: “Alternatively, if you want to use smaller art pieces on a wall you can use multiple pieces to create a gallery wall.”
When it comes to choosing a collection of smaller pieces to hang together, Beryl advises:
“A gallery wall is a good way to make a statement without committing to (just) one piece of art. In this case, the same proportions apply — you’ll just want to reach this width with multiple pieces instead of one. If you are hanging art on a wall that doesn’t have furniture against it you should make sure that the art takes up just over half of the wall.”
DO: Ensure your artwork ties in with your decor.
When selecting your verve art piece, take into consideration existing artwork, decor details and/or wallpaper in your home, as this will all affect the overall aesthetic of your artwork once it is hung on the wall. Is your decor a clean, Scandinavian, minimalist style for example? You may want to look at light coloured or floating frames such as The Botanica or The Arctic. In your design consult prior to your session, our stylists will also take you through all of your artwork options, and how we can further customise your portrait session to suit your wants and needs.
DON’T: ‘Match’ artwork to your interior style and furniture (Coordinate instead).
When selecting the perfect piece for a room, it can be an overwhelming decision figuring out what will look best. Designer Lauren Flanagan says contrast is important to utilise here, to create layers of visual interest.
She says:
“Contrast is what keeps a room exciting, and art can play a big part in creating that excitement. …Create a robust and compelling collection. In a traditional room, a piece of modern art can create a striking focal point, just like classic pieces can lend some tradition to more contemporary spaces. And when used together in the same room old and new pieces can complement each other in wonderful and unexpected ways. It can also be a lot of fun to mix colors and themes, so when choosing art don’t get stuck in a rut—mix it up…. Consider leaning artworks and positioning artworks opposite mirrored areas to reflect and echo the work, this enlarges your perceived living space.”
DO: Consider the preparation stage: what to wear for the photographs.
The ultimate style and aesthetic of your art pieces will come down to what you as the subjects of the portrait choose to wear on the day.
Have a look through your house, and figure out which areas of the home you would ideally like to hang or display your artwork. You can even take photos of your space, to show the photographer during your session. Take in the colour palette, and any other details of the room, as well as what fashion choices would tie in with your existing furnishings and details.
For an even more detailed run-down of our clothing and style recommendations, see one of our latest blog pieces here.
DON’T: Hang your artwork in dark or direct sunlight areas of the home.
DON’T Clean your artwork with water or a damp cloth
DO: Enjoy and treasure your beautiful art!
Our final, most important tip, is to enjoy your stunning new piece (or pieces) of art.
We hope they bring you joy in the everyday, as the purpose and motivation behind what we do is to build happiness through these moments of true human connection.
If you have any questions or comments on choosing or looking after your artwork, feel free to leave a comment in the section below.
To take a look through our full range of artwork, you can browse through our full collection here.
Team verve x
