At first glance, the paintings are just interior decoration that does not play any special role in the setting. But with the help of a well-chosen image, you can change a lot: smooth out the excessive angularity of the furniture, mask wall defects, highlight the accent area that attracts attention, emphasize the stylistic concept, enliven the design, or, conversely, make it stricter and more solid.
Pictures with a perspective enlarge the space and make it deeper. The color scheme of the interior creates the mood of the room, and the images within the frames correct it, adding light notes and halftones. Let’s try to figure out how to choose the right picture for the interior and where to place it in the room.
How to choose a painting?
Painting size
The length and width of the canvas greatly affect our perception. It is very important to observe the proportionality of the picture and the interior.
If it is difficult for you to imagine the size of the picture, in reality, make a prototype of it from the plain paper of the appropriate size and stick it on the wall using special adhesive tape. Move the prototype, and look at it from a distance and from different angles.
Recently, triptych art have become popular paintings, as they can become an incredible decoration for a spacious room and an empty wall. For a minimalist interior – this is what is required. If you want to check out the possible options, you may find cool canvases here.
Also read: Everything About Winslow Homer’s Less Famous Paintings
Plot
Think about what kind of images you like – landscapes, portraits, still lifes, flowers, abstractions, or fauna. The plot should correspond to the functional purpose of the room. Appetizing, “delicious” still lifes or images of gastronomic delights are suitable for living rooms and kitchens: fragrant dishes with a crispy crust and smoking smoke, juicy fruits, fresh vegetables with moisture droplets on the peel, juices in misted jugs, sweet berries in wicker baskets with checkered napkins as a substrate. Also soft, calm compositions are chosen that are associated with peace and relaxation: forest edges, reeds near river banks, seascapes, and a starry sky over a sleepy city.
Color spectrum
Pay attention to the color scheme of your interior and highlight the color that prevails. Think about which shades will complement it, and which ones will reveal it in a new light.
To avoid being mistaken, use the color wheel and the contrast point rule: find the most contrasting point in the interior – it will become the main accent. For example, navy blue wall art fit into interiors dominated by white, gray, yellow, beige or brown colors.
The form
Rectangle, square, circle, oval — depending on the shape of the picture, our perception changes: soft and smooth shapes smooth the image and space, while sharp corners lengthen it. The form of the picture may overlap with the forms of other objects in the interior.
Where can I find a perfect painting for me?
In independent contemporary galleries. The best works of contemporary artists are selected here, and high-quality editions of graphics and paintings are produced. Some galleries even offer a “painting for fitting” service: the canvas is brought to your home so that you can “try it on” for the interior.
Artists on social media. Send them a private message or email. They will help with the choice, give advice on the size and shape of the picture, and you will carefully study the portfolio and understand whether you like their work.
Markets, festivals, fairs. This is convenient – in one place you can see and compare the work of different artists.
The art stores. For example, in TexelPrintArt you can find the picture for any taste, size, and plot of the high-quality. The best source of artwork is presented on the net.
Traveling. Walking, for example, along the streets of Palermo, you can see a wonderful seascape that will sink into your soul. The picture is a personal perception of the feeling of beauty, so it doesn’t matter what its price and origin are.
Where and how to place it?
Before drilling a hole in the wall, think about where to place the painting.
You can hang a picture not only on a nail but also on double-sided tape, and organize a special shelf or hanging system.
There are many options for hanging a picture: above a chest of drawers or a sofa, above the bed, or opposite it. You can place a small picture on a bedside table or shelf, above the dining table. If you have chosen only one piece, it will become an accent, and if there are several, you will have to work with them as a whole and create a whole composition.
If you have chosen a large picture, please note the distance from which it will be convenient for you to view it should be at least two meters.
Consider the width of the object over which the picture will be located. For example, the width of the picture above the sofa should be at least a third of its length.
Does interior style matter?
Yes! Your style will help you find exactly the picture you need. For example, a natural palette and classic plots suit a classic interior. And abstractions, street style, and posters will easily fit into the modern environment.
At the same time, the work can both support the overall style of the interior, and go against it, giving it a new sound. For example, by placing a classic still life in a minimalist interior, you will make the setting more modern. And if you add abstraction – more sharp and defiant. Try playing with contrasts.
Framing pictures
The frame is selected first of all to the picture itself. Its compatibility with the interior fades into the background. The frame is the clothing of the canvas, which can look good or completely ridiculous. Traditionally, the frame is made from a baguette. This is a classic version of the relief frame. Framing is divided into three types: flat, beveled inward/outward. It can have a different color, shape, and additional decor. A gilded frame with numerous curls or carvings fits the classic canvases. For modern paintings choose glass and metal frames. Alternatively, the image can generally be hung “without anything.” According to the above analogy, the picture will be “naked”, which is only suitable for bold interiors.
Sometimes it is very difficult to find the right picture. Painting, as you know, not only “stops time”, but also endows images with a soul. If the spiritual component of the picture does not resonate with a person, then the canvas has not yet found its owner. The rules for selecting images for the interior must be taken into account, but the aesthetics of the canvas must, first of all, correspond to the tastes of the buyer. If the picture fits the interior perfectly, but the owner doesn’t like something, the necessary aura will not form in the room.