Hang What You Love. Let the Room Catch Up.

Art is an intimate expression of who we are. While designing our living spaces, it is easy to get caught up in rules, trends, and what looks good on social media. However, the key to truly beautiful and harmonious interiors lies in prioritizing what brings you joy—hanging what you love first and letting the room catch up naturally around those pieces. In this blog post, we will explore how to trust your instincts in decorating with art, allowing your space to respond organically to what you cherish.

Art Comes First

Design rules follow emotion, not the other way around. When it comes to decorating, most people tend to choose a color palette or a style first, often neglecting their personal connection to the artwork. This approach can lead to sterile spaces that lack personality. Instead, make your artwork the focal point.

Begin by selecting pieces that speak to you, whether they are paintings, photographs, or mixed media. When you hang what you love, it infuses life into your walls and establishes a grounding influence for the rest of the room's decor.

Here's a straightforward approach to kick things off:

1. Choose Key Pieces: Select a few artworks that resonate with you emotionally or aesthetically. Consider their colors, subjects, and the feelings they evoke.

2. Create a Gallery Wall: If you have multiple pieces, consider a gallery wall. This can be as simple as hanging different sized frames in a coherent layout that allows for visual variety without excessive uniformity.

   
   

3. Prioritize Visibility: Hang your favorite pieces at eye level to showcase them prominently. This means that when you enter the room, these beautiful works catch your attention immediately.

   
   

Gallery wall of art pieces in cozy living room setting.

Trust the Long View

Rooms evolve. Art anchors them. As life changes, so will your decor needs and tastes. The trick is to let your environment adapt to your personal journey without forcing a stylistic agenda.

1. Embrace Change: Understand that your artwork might inspire modifications in your furnishings or color choices over time. It’s beneficial to observe how your space naturally adjusts to incorporate your art over the long term.

   
   

2. Rotate Art Pieces: Don’t hesitate to change your artwork from time to time. This can keep your space fresh and also reflect your evolving tastes or life stages.

   
   

3. Be Patient: It may take some time for the rest of the room to find its flow with your artwork. Allow this process to unfold organically; don’t rush to fill every corner of a room with decorative items or furniture.

   
   

Comfy reading nook highlighting art integration in home design.

Find Balance in Chaos

Art does not need to be the only focus in the room. It should coexist with other elements, creating a balanced aesthetic. For a serene home environment, it is essential to integrate art harmoniously with furniture, colors, and textures.

1. Consider Scale: Larger artworks can serve as statement pieces, while smaller ones can complement existing décor. Be aware of the proportions of both the art and the surrounding space.

   
   

2. Select Compliant Colors: Choose artwork that loosely incorporates colors from other elements in the room. This can create a cohesive look without overwhelming the senses.

   
   

3. Create Visual Anchors: Be mindful of where to place your artworks. A substantial painting can act as an anchor for a room's design, supporting the arrangement of other elements like a couch or coffee table.

   
   

Art piece above modern sofa contributing to room balance.

Embrace Imperfection

The organic approach to decorating with art offers room for mistakes and triumphs along the way. Embracing imperfection can breathe life into a home, making it feel more authentic.

1. Let Go of Perfectionism: Rather than trying to curate a ‘perfectly’ styled room straight out of a magazine, embrace the uniqueness of your choices. This may mean opting for thrift store art or showcasing your own creations.

   
   

2. Highlight Personal Stories: Select art that has a backstory or significance to you. Instead of worrying about how it looks on a wall, appreciate the memories attached to it.

   
   

3. Mix and Match: Feel free to combine different styles, eras, or types of art. This can create visual interest and eloquently display your journey through art.

   
   

Trust Your Instincts

Choosing to decorate your home with art can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options available. But the most important rule is to trust your instincts. Your home should tell your story.

1. Follow Your Internal Compass: Rely on what draws your eye and resonates within you rather than adhering solely to community opinions or current trends.

   
   

2. Install First, Decorate Later: It can be beneficial to hang your art before you set out to decorate the rest of the room. This allows you to develop a decor scheme inspired by your favorites, rather than vice versa.

   
   

3. Use Art to Define Spaces: In open-concept homes, art can define and separate areas. A bold piece can create a visual boundary between a dining room and a living room.

   
   

Embrace Your Journey

Decorating doesn’t have to be a stressful process. The best results come from embracing the journey rather than adhering strictly to design rules. Allow your personal style and preferences to guide you.

When you begin with what you love, you can create a calm home aesthetic that nurtures both you and your guests. As you hang art that speaks to you, let the room develop naturally and trust that it will find its rhythm in time.

Creating a space where art and decor flourish together is not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating an environment that soothes you, welcomes you, and invites you to come in, relax, and be yourself.

Let your home be a canvas that showcases your unique identity, one piece of art at a time. Over time, every artistic addition will fit together to form a tranquil and personal atmosphere that feels like home.