Design Bolt: 10 Ways Artworks Can Bring Your Walls to Life
Discover how paintings and prints can create an eye-catching focal point, turning your space into something special
Artwork is one of the most invaluable assets in the world of interior design, adding colour and pattern in a unique way. It’s a chance to show creative flair and express your taste and individuality, so don’t play safe by choosing works that will recede into your design scheme – make your art choices an extension of your personality. Browse these 10 examples to see how statement art can truly transform a space.
Dabble with shape
Unconventional in format, panoramic pieces can fill all manner of spaces and draw the eye across your room. You could hang one above a mantelpiece, or over the headboard of a bed, or use it to adorn a long corridor or to create a feature wall in a living room. However when you use it, a panorama will complement any feature furnishing and really set your room apart.
When considering what medium to choose, bear in mind that photography works particularly well in this orientation, as images are often produced in wide formats.
Framing a panoramic piece can be an expensive task, often requiring a bespoke frame, but it will give maximum impact. Or to emulate the effect without the expense of framing one large image, you could hang a series of works in a row.
Unconventional in format, panoramic pieces can fill all manner of spaces and draw the eye across your room. You could hang one above a mantelpiece, or over the headboard of a bed, or use it to adorn a long corridor or to create a feature wall in a living room. However when you use it, a panorama will complement any feature furnishing and really set your room apart.
When considering what medium to choose, bear in mind that photography works particularly well in this orientation, as images are often produced in wide formats.
Framing a panoramic piece can be an expensive task, often requiring a bespoke frame, but it will give maximum impact. Or to emulate the effect without the expense of framing one large image, you could hang a series of works in a row.
Frame it with furniture
Every room should have a key focal point, and a statement artwork is the perfect tool to achieve this. A strategically placed work will help to balance your space by creating one centrepiece among multiple points of interest.
Find a place for your work where it will be ‘framed’ by furnishings, as in this example, where the bold abstract painting is surrounded by busy yet uncluttered bookshelves, ensuring that the art remains a key asset within the room. The secret is to hang your piece close to furnishings so it becomes part of the scheme in a structural way. Here, the strong colours featured within the work are echoed around the room in the furniture and accessories, giving a sense of harmony.
Every room should have a key focal point, and a statement artwork is the perfect tool to achieve this. A strategically placed work will help to balance your space by creating one centrepiece among multiple points of interest.
Find a place for your work where it will be ‘framed’ by furnishings, as in this example, where the bold abstract painting is surrounded by busy yet uncluttered bookshelves, ensuring that the art remains a key asset within the room. The secret is to hang your piece close to furnishings so it becomes part of the scheme in a structural way. Here, the strong colours featured within the work are echoed around the room in the furniture and accessories, giving a sense of harmony.
Let monochrome meet colour
Creating stark contrast through colour is a foolproof way to make a one-off impact. These inverted monochrome artworks are a contemporary take on traditional landscapes, creating an intriguing dialogue with the traditional floral motifs on the soft furnishings.
Hanging black and white artworks among an interior brimming with colour will draw attention to your design scheme and your artworks in equal measure. A triptych or diptych of works by the same artist, or a split-panel piece like this, will create instant impact, filling the space and creating an impressive backdrop for other design elements.
Creating stark contrast through colour is a foolproof way to make a one-off impact. These inverted monochrome artworks are a contemporary take on traditional landscapes, creating an intriguing dialogue with the traditional floral motifs on the soft furnishings.
Hanging black and white artworks among an interior brimming with colour will draw attention to your design scheme and your artworks in equal measure. A triptych or diptych of works by the same artist, or a split-panel piece like this, will create instant impact, filling the space and creating an impressive backdrop for other design elements.
Hang for effect
Always think carefully about your choice of frame and your approach to hanging when styling with art at home. It’s commonplace to conceal any fixtures, and while this will achieve a clean and sleek look and won’t detract from the work, if you have plenty of space, why not take a creative approach to hanging and make it a feature in itself. For example, the high ceiling of this dining room lends itself perfectly to a structural, tactile hanging feature.
If you decide to go bold with your hanging technique, try to extend a common theme within the room by echoing materials or colours, for ultimate cohesion. Consider the impact that a structural hanging will have within the space, and speak to your framer about options, as once it’s framed, your piece could be rather heavy, requiring a load-bearing wall.
Always think carefully about your choice of frame and your approach to hanging when styling with art at home. It’s commonplace to conceal any fixtures, and while this will achieve a clean and sleek look and won’t detract from the work, if you have plenty of space, why not take a creative approach to hanging and make it a feature in itself. For example, the high ceiling of this dining room lends itself perfectly to a structural, tactile hanging feature.
If you decide to go bold with your hanging technique, try to extend a common theme within the room by echoing materials or colours, for ultimate cohesion. Consider the impact that a structural hanging will have within the space, and speak to your framer about options, as once it’s framed, your piece could be rather heavy, requiring a load-bearing wall.
Combine contemporary with traditional
If you want to emphasise your artwork or make a bolder statement, try introducing thematic contrasts within your space by juxtaposing different styles. The traditional material features of this room – a classic marble mantel, panelling and wooden beams – are kindred with a central Renaissance-style portrait painting, while a contemporary rug and ceramics add a modern dynamic to the space. The ornate gold frame also elevates the muted artwork, catching the natural light and providing another contrast. What might seem to be a whimsical space in fact achieves a very edited look, as each element is carefully thought out.
If you want to emphasise your artwork or make a bolder statement, try introducing thematic contrasts within your space by juxtaposing different styles. The traditional material features of this room – a classic marble mantel, panelling and wooden beams – are kindred with a central Renaissance-style portrait painting, while a contemporary rug and ceramics add a modern dynamic to the space. The ornate gold frame also elevates the muted artwork, catching the natural light and providing another contrast. What might seem to be a whimsical space in fact achieves a very edited look, as each element is carefully thought out.
Pick a statement subject
Never forget that the subject of an artwork will often make a statement of its own accord, regardless of its framing device. While this striking painting blends beautifully with the space – owing to its refined colour palette and frameless hanging – its illustrative, figurative nature demands our attention. The work’s placement strengthens its impact, too – hung high on the wall to bridge the gap between furniture and ceiling, and illuminated by statement lighting. It’s a perfect example of how artworks should reflect your personality and taste, and tell a story.
Never forget that the subject of an artwork will often make a statement of its own accord, regardless of its framing device. While this striking painting blends beautifully with the space – owing to its refined colour palette and frameless hanging – its illustrative, figurative nature demands our attention. The work’s placement strengthens its impact, too – hung high on the wall to bridge the gap between furniture and ceiling, and illuminated by statement lighting. It’s a perfect example of how artworks should reflect your personality and taste, and tell a story.
Achieve colour balance
Using a large work of art to tie together other colours within the room will achieve a balance, ensuring the work doesn’t overpower the rest of the space. Here, yellows and lowlight blues are scattered across the room in key furnishings, perfectly suited to the sunny aura of the room.
This painting has a tray frame, which helps to further integrate the work with the room by mirroring the natural wooden furnishings, and has the added benefit of hiding any potentially messy edges on the canvas. A narrow gap between the frame and the canvas also creates a shadow to give the art further depth.
Using a large work of art to tie together other colours within the room will achieve a balance, ensuring the work doesn’t overpower the rest of the space. Here, yellows and lowlight blues are scattered across the room in key furnishings, perfectly suited to the sunny aura of the room.
This painting has a tray frame, which helps to further integrate the work with the room by mirroring the natural wooden furnishings, and has the added benefit of hiding any potentially messy edges on the canvas. A narrow gap between the frame and the canvas also creates a shadow to give the art further depth.
Create asymmetry
Hanging a gallery-style composition is a great way to flaunt a few of your favourite works and create a dialogue. Select and curate a series of pieces, measure your desired wall space and lay the works out on the floor to finalise your arrangement. Lead with the largest or boldest artwork and work from the centre outwards to ensure that you achieve balance and symmetry.
You want the effect to be harmonious, so stick to one theme or colour palette. Strong black frames and a focus on monochrome works well in this dining room. But do consider the spacing between your artworks, too, and leave enough room to ensure that each piece will have individual impact.
Read an insider’s guide to creating the perfect gallery wall
Hanging a gallery-style composition is a great way to flaunt a few of your favourite works and create a dialogue. Select and curate a series of pieces, measure your desired wall space and lay the works out on the floor to finalise your arrangement. Lead with the largest or boldest artwork and work from the centre outwards to ensure that you achieve balance and symmetry.
You want the effect to be harmonious, so stick to one theme or colour palette. Strong black frames and a focus on monochrome works well in this dining room. But do consider the spacing between your artworks, too, and leave enough room to ensure that each piece will have individual impact.
Read an insider’s guide to creating the perfect gallery wall
Scale it up
With size on your side, making a statement is easy. Large-scale artworks hung singly can help to keep walls visually clean, while creating an impressive backdrop for your room scheme.
Consider the style and genre of your piece and how it will affect the atmosphere of your space. While an abstract work will bring colour and expression into the room without becoming overpowering, a large figurative work will often demand our attention and could be better suited to a minimal space with less to compete with for attention.
Read more:
Houzz Tour: Art Takes Centre-Stage in This South Mumbai Home
How to Display and Dazzle With Your Curios and Antiques
Tell us:
Do you have a piece of statement artwork in your home? Share photos of it on the Comments below to show how you have creatively placed it.
With size on your side, making a statement is easy. Large-scale artworks hung singly can help to keep walls visually clean, while creating an impressive backdrop for your room scheme.
Consider the style and genre of your piece and how it will affect the atmosphere of your space. While an abstract work will bring colour and expression into the room without becoming overpowering, a large figurative work will often demand our attention and could be better suited to a minimal space with less to compete with for attention.
Read more:
Houzz Tour: Art Takes Centre-Stage in This South Mumbai Home
How to Display and Dazzle With Your Curios and Antiques
Tell us:
Do you have a piece of statement artwork in your home? Share photos of it on the Comments below to show how you have creatively placed it.
Abstract art has great impact by its very nature, characterised by bold gestures and striking colour. In this interior, functionality and creativity blend together, as the pared-back furnishings help to offset the expressive energy of the canvas, so they don’t compete for attention.
A playful abstract like this can bring your space to life, while showing off your personal taste, so give it centre stage and let it set the tone for the room.
Learn more about how to style with abstract art