Why Art Should Be Part Of Interior Design
When it comes to interior design, art matters. And I don’t just mean that picking the perfect painting is an essential finishing touch to bring a room together. All too often relegated to an afterthought, a flourish, or an added touch, art is far more important than that. It should be a fundamental part of any design and decor decisions, at the heart of how a room looks and feels.
Great art can make the imagination soar and the heart race. Art is an inspiration, food for the soul, and should always take pride of place in a home. Great design should also spark the imagination and inspire, so placing emphasis on art when conceptualizing your space just makes sense.
Color
The color palette of any room is one of the most important design choices you have to make (and one of the most daunting). With so many pigments at one’s dispense, choosing the perfect shade can feel overwhelming, so why not let your wall art take the lead? I find that starting a design journey with a painting or a wall hanging sets the tone for the rest of the room. I allow its rich, dominant colors and lighter, more ethereal accents to inspire the interior decor. The result is always harmonious, always striking, and always perfectly composed.
Narrative
Your home’s design tells a story about who you are, your personality, and your hopes and dreams. Art can be uniquely expressive, speaking directly to our emotional and spiritual sides. This makes it a great tool to guide and shape the narrative of your interior - the story you want to tell to your guests.
Focus
Great art draws the eye. Paintings and sculptures have a magnetic, mesmerizing quality that commands attention. So ensuring that your art is the focus of your room rather than an afterthought is imperative. Minimizing the striking visuals of your favorite pieces to ‘something that pulls the room together’ risks disrupting the delicate balance of your design scheme.
Creativity
Of course, artwork doesn’t have to be famous to hold sentimental value, and the inclusion of your most beloved pieces can allow your creativity to take flight. Your choice of artwork shines a light on your tastes, artistic preferences, and creativity, allowing you to integrate your personality into your home.
Philosophy
As well as telling a compelling story and providing deep insights into your personal tastes and creative expression, art can demonstrate your philosophy and way of life. Fill your home with abstract expressionist works or classic Old Master prints, and you’ll be injecting a sense of who you are and how you think. But philosophy should be coherent, and a design scheme that jars against the art you like can create confusion and chaos! For this reason, start with your art, and the rest will follow suit.
Whenever I begin a design project, I always follow this trajectory. It shapes the way I think, inspiring the color and theme of every room. Integrating your art with your interior design allows you to add another dimension to your home aesthetics, adding pure heart and soul to every room.