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Interiors Can Come Alive With Works Of Art — But How Do You Select Pieces That Best Serve The Space? Or Is It Vice Versa? Lifestyle Has the Answers

For those in the throes of designing their first home, or even for those with experience reimagining their interiors, selecting artwork can be one of the most daunting tasks. Yes, there an opportunity to make a significant impact and change the ambience of a home. However, it’s also easy to get caught up in the endless options with little to no sense of clarity. Throw in the fact that price points of quality pieces run the gamut, and there’s plenty to consider. All of which raises the question: Where do you begin? Here is a room-by-room guide to get you started on choosing art that can make your home look and feel more complete. At a minimum, this can help point you in the right direction—because when are our homes ever complete?

The Entryway

Although it’s usually just an area for throwing off your shoes and depositing your keys, a home entryway offers an opportunity. With the right artwork and accompanying decor, it can make a dynamic first impression. For example, if your space allows, hang a substantial piece of artwork above a bench or a trio of smaller pieces above a console table. You can then personalize this hypothetical vignette by topping the console with a modern lamp and a few coffee table books.

The Living Room

As one of the spaces where homeowners likely spend considerable time, the artwork here should evoke joy. If you’re drawn to smaller, meaningful pieces in varying shapes and sizes, consider organizing a gallery wall. But if you prefer larger-scale pieces, select one impressive work that makes a statement, or hang two coordinating pieces to create a diptych.

The Dining Room

When choosing art for the dining room, start by thinking about the feeling you’d like to elicit when entertaining guests in your home. For instance, a framed photo of the sea will immediately conjure a sense of calm; on the other hand, a vibrant work of pop art signals an uplifting energy. No matter what style you select, it’s important to reflect about how the art will work in harmony with the other pieces that are on display in the other shared areas of the home.

The Bedroom

When it comes to the bedroom—the place where you begin and end your day—the artwork that you choose should be personal. As guests enter this sanctuary on a very rare basis, you should focus on choosing pieces that make you feel at ease. Therefore, go with a color palette that is soothing. To create a tranquil vibe in one of her projects, Eloise Kubli of Collective Construction & Design in Plantation (whose team also designed the family room on the previous page) employed soft blues and coppery tones, and commissioned a nature-inspired painting that hangs above the bed.