8 Foundation Guidelines for choosing paintings for your home or office

When you are choosing original paintings for your home or office, take a look at some simple guidelines

Think about the size and layout of the room. Large walls may need a bigger statement piece, or a 'gallery wall' while smaller rooms might benefit from more intimate works. Always consider how the paintings will interact with any established décor and any other artworks. (Keep in mind that most of our extra-large statement paintings from our artistsare never even seen within the online galleries, as they are personalised commissions, custom created for the individual's specific walls, spaces and their own wishes.

Choose artwork that resonates with your personality or interests. Whether it’s abstract, figures, landscapes, modern, or classic styles, the artwork should feel like an extension of your own taste. What do you want to feel when you see the painting in your space?
If you are a part of a couple or a group with differing tastes, it can be helpful to decide on a room each and be free to choose with few compromises. Going for a theme that extends through out the entire home is not necessarily best or practical in this scenario. What would help is at least one element is agreed apon to act as a uniting thread. eg. one hue might be included somewhere in otherwise different style choices, a consistent form of framing can also help unite diverse pieces. (We use this principle when helping to curate a Gallery Wall or collection for a family or Body Corporate).

While it’s not necessary to matchy-match your painting to the room exactly 🙄ZZzzz, considering your general colour harmony can help tie the space together. Complementary or contrasting colours can either blend the artwork into the room or make it stand out more as a strong focal point.

Use a striking piece of art to draw attention and set the tone/feeling for a room or even a foyer or hallway. This could be a large, bold, statement painting or suite of works in the living room or a cool, serene seascape in a bedroom, to evoke a feeling of relaxation or calm. Little nooks and hallways can be all the more enjoyable to approach or pass by when a visual focal point adorns the wall.

Make sure the space has enough natural or artificial light to illuminate the artwork properly. Poor lighting can take away from the visual impact of a painting, while great lighting can enhance its effects on us and the ambience in general.

Don’t be afraid to mix painting styles—combine abstract with figurative art, or modern with more traditional pieces, or show different mediums/approaches. This adds dimension and character to your space. Just find a uniting element to bring them all together visually eg. different themes but one repeating colour throughout , same theme throughout with different artist/approach/frame . This idea works within a space and also within a 'Salon Hang' (or 'Gallery Hang')

Choose paintings that are in proportion with the room. Too small, and the art might get lost; too large, and it could overwhelm the space. Also, consider how multiple smaller works could be grouped to create a gallery wall.

Above all, choose paintings that evoke emotions or memories. Art is a highly subjective and personal experience, so select pieces that inspire you, bring you joy, or reflect moments in your life. Once again, communication and compromise can involve a slightly more 'room by room' approach when tastes vary significantly. Don't let varying tastes get in the way, there is often a part in the Ven diagram overlap where each can meet, and if not, divide and conquer. After all, it is our differences as unique humans that can open us up to new things, even new perspectves.

Let your art collection tell a story while harmonizing with your home’s ambience!

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