Framed paintings have been part of home designs since the Italian Renaissance. And centuries before that, humans had an innate desire to decorate their living spaces: ‘cavemen’ painted the walls of caves; and later the ancient Egyptians decorated the Dendera by mixing oil or fat with lead, animal blood, and stones.
Today’s artists use rather different materials, of course. But regardless of the material, how can you choose a suitable framed artwork or canvas that fits your home?
Mood and Color of the Room
If your living room is painted a calming blue, you might look for similar colors and some peaceful imagery. If you’re looking for more energizing artworks, choose bolder and contrasting colors and shapes. You might like a subject that inspires conversations, such as a certain scene from your favorite film, or a landscape of a European city you’ve visited.
Perhaps your kitchen is full of reminders of your family, with framed photographs on shelves, or drawings from children or grandchildren. In this case, you might choose a painting from a city you visited together on vacation, or something that reminds you of your own childhood. In short, try to match the art with how you want the room to feel.
Go With Your Gut
No one can tell you exactly how a room should look like, or what artwork should fit in it. You have your own taste in art. If you look at something and it makes you pause, or your heart skips a beat, or you instantly feel calmer, that’s a good sign that it means something to you. Perhaps you don’t want that – perhaps you want something that simply complements the choices of paint and the style of the decorations. That’s alright too.
There may be pieces of art that mean more to you because it reminds you of a friend or relative or something they’ve said. Then there’s art dedicated to certain faiths; this might be the best choice if you want something that reminds you of your worship or culture. Jewish families, for example, often choose artworks depicting Jerusalem or the Kotel. Some paintings, such as those that are on view at the Israeli Center of Judaica (https://israelicenterofjudaica.com/), are available to buy from Israel.
Make the Artwork the Focal Point of the Room – or Don’t
Decide if you want the piece to be the focal point of the room. Some artwork can take over (whether it’s bold, clashing colors or a striking image). Naturally large pieces are harder to ignore. Try to consider whether you want you and your family, and guests, to see the painting or photograph every time you walk into the room, or only from a certain seat or corner.
You might fall in love with something that the decision is made for you: this piece is amazing and unignorable, you might think, and it simply has to be the focal point of the room.
In any case, enjoy choosing your artwork. More than any other object, it might be the thing that makes your home truly feel like a home.
