There are many considerations when choosing and using artwork in your home. Let’s assume you have no financial limitations, access to a variety of artworks, no size restrictions for the piece, and your home is spacious with plenty of spots to display art; in this case, your options for selecting any type of artwork and incorporating it into your interior decor are virtually unlimited. But the question is: Have you placed the artwork correctly within your decor?
Yes. Another important issue that Art Yaar addresses is how to use artwork effectively and the subtle architectural principles involved. This article will help you gain better insight into purchasing and utilizing artwork for your home or office.
Architectural Tips for Using Artwork in the Home
1- Composition of Paintings in Space and in Relation to Furniture
Composition refers to the correct arrangement of elements relative to each other. Composition exists in all forms of art. Perhaps in more general terms, you might call it arrangement, but composition is not just placement. It follows Gestalt principles. That is, the elements in your home space should be arranged based on design principles.
The first rule you should consider when purchasing and placing a painting as artwork in your home is this: pay attention to its size, orientation, colors, lines, and main patterns.
Architectural tip: Stand facing the space where you want to hang the painting. Visualize the artwork and remember it in your mind. Now, consider its proportions relative to the floor or furniture, the distance from other elements, and try to evaluate it based on Gestalt principles.
2- Distance (Margin) Between Artwork and Other Space Elements
One of the most common mistakes we Iranians make when using artworks in interior decor is treating them like a garden. We all recognize the Iranian garden by its intertwined trees, but this planting method is actually harmful to the trees. Similarly, you might have seen in your friend’s house one or more artworks placed close together and near each other.
In reality, architects refer to this as “suffocating” or “lack of breathing space” when it comes to using artworks in decor. Additionally, there is a concept called margin or clearance. Margin means the distance to other elements in a way that the artwork is not harmed or overwhelmed. For example, your personal privacy distance as a human is less than 1 meter. If someone stands within this distance, you feel uncomfortable unless you have a close relationship with that person.
Every piece of artwork also has its own margin, which should not be encroached upon by other decor elements.
Architectural tip: Look at the space where you plan to display the artwork. Blur your vision slightly and imagine an imaginary border around the artwork. Within this border, the artwork should feel comfortable, and its composition should not be disturbed by other elements. Visualize this border as if nothing else surrounds the artwork. Then, return to reality and check whether other decor elements have entered this margin or not.
3- How the Artwork is Viewed from Different Points in the Interior
The next point is simple and straightforward. It doesn’t matter whether your home is large or small. When using artwork in your home, walk around to other spots in the room and imagine how the artwork appears from those vantage points. You’ve probably done this when choosing wallpaper with 3D effects. The way the third dimension, vibrant colors, and velvet textures are perceived depends on your viewing angle and location.
Architectural tip: Your skill lies in turning your home into a gallery. Walk around and see which spot naturally draws your eye. That’s the ideal place to display artwork in your home.
4- Lighting the Artwork
Simply put, don’t neglect lighting when displaying artwork. Purchasing a piece is one thing, but showcasing it effectively is another. Art Yaar recommends consulting specialists for this, as there is a wide range of lighting accessories available online or in Tehran’s Lalehzar area. However, not all of these match your decor style or the composition of your space. After ensuring proper lighting for your artwork, you’ll see it integrated seamlessly into your home decor!
5- How to Display Artwork in Your Home
Finally, the last architectural trick for using artwork in your home comes down to how you display it. There are various ways to showcase a piece, and some of them are listed below. Art Yaar suggests being creative and stepping away from conventional methods. If your home doesn’t allow for new approaches, that’s perfectly fine—you’ve already accomplished a lot!
- Hanging from the ceiling
- Placing on a stand
- Placing on the floor
- Attaching to the wall
- Inside shelves
- On a console
- Above a console, mounted on the wall
- On an edge, such as the edge of a bed or window