Regardless of what the characteristics of a good artwork are and how much it influences our choices, we must pay attention to the principles of selecting artwork based on the architectural space and artistic foundations. This matter is as subtle and complex as the poetry of Saadi. We all know, for example, that we shouldn’t place a very large painting next to a mirror or a television; or that when the architectural style of our room is classical, an abstract Cubist painting might not look appropriate.
In this article, we aim to provide you with a checklist of principles for choosing artwork:
Principles for Choosing Artwork for the Home
1. The focal point of the home is where the artwork should be; find it.
Focal points in interior design are areas that attract the most attention and focus, and they are important in terms of arrangement and distribution within the space. Focal points can be a specific area, such as a designed space beside the kitchen, or an element of the house, like a window offering a view outside. Both of these are key nodes in the home, and you can consider good artworks for them.
2. Buy art that matches the size and proportions of your room.
The topic of size and proportions is so important that sometimes paying attention to this single point is enough for you to smile after selecting the artwork. The size of artworks should be in harmony with the room, furniture, ceiling height, other decorative elements, and windows. For example:
For a 12-square-meter room:
- The height at which the artwork is hung should be about 152 to 156 centimeters from the floor.
- If the ceiling is higher than 3.5 meters, you can hang the artwork at 165 centimeters.
- An approximate size of 152*156 cm can be suitable for such a room.
3. Understand the color palette—even if you’re not familiar with art.
Colors in interior design are compatible in various ways, and different rules apply to them. A simple search can help you find these. When choosing artwork, you should pay attention to this aspect; like other interior decor elements, but with the difference that in a piece of art, due to its content, you might face more challenges.
4. What is the content of the artwork?
Basically, artworks are created to convey a concept. Every piece of art has something to say. When selecting artwork, you need to be mindful of what it communicates! Some artworks make an ethical statement, while others are created to praise beauty. Some tell a new story of an old idea, and others aim to provoke thought so that you can interpret their meaning yourself. The content of the artwork reflects your personality.
5. In what style is the artwork designed?
Every artwork, like every interior design and architectural project, has a style that acts as its identity. When choosing artwork for your living room, first consider how you’ve selected the rug, furniture, and wall coverings, then make your choice accordingly. Sometimes, you might also use contrast techniques—such as placing a Cubist painting in a predominantly minimal space. Generally, these spaces are in contemporary or eclectic styles, which require careful attention.
6. Use a consistent pattern in selecting artworks.
Using a pattern in design means that all your choices follow an unspoken order. This pattern can be a color, geometric shape, or size. For example, you might order several paintings as artworks, all with a blue theme; however, one might be a painting, another calligraphy, and another a digital print. Patterns are mostly a matter of taste, and otherwise, they are the work of experienced individuals.
7. Where does the light fall on the artwork?
Another important issue is how the room’s lighting affects the artworks. You can’t place a sculpture in front of a window with silk curtains because the interior parts will appear dark, and details will be lost. Similarly, if you have a south-facing window with sunlight falling on the wall, it’s not suitable to hang a valuable or expensive artwork there.
Additionally, consider what type of artificial lighting you plan to use for your home’s artworks. An artwork placed at a focal point requires extra attention in lighting.
8. Where did the artwork come from?
It’s good to pay attention to this. It might not be very obvious at local exhibitions. When visiting an exhibition in London, for example, you see works from different cultures and histories. The environment, culture, and history carry patterns and concepts that directly influence the content of the artwork and, naturally, your choice.
9. Composition of small artworks
When it comes to gallery walls, composition plays a key role. A gallery wall is when you arrange several paintings of different sizes together or combine them with a mirror. Besides this arrangement, other factors also influence your choice of artwork. The shape and volume of sculptures and 3D objects should harmonize with the shape of the furniture and the space they occupy.
10. Who will see it?
The last point concerns the viewer. Choosing artwork for a hotel is very different from choosing for a home. Always consider who might see the artworks. In a holding company, for example, people with diverse tastes visit a beauty salon, so the artworks should reflect that diversity as well.