Many of us have hung up a picture to cover up cracked paint or bought a fun sculpture to add a splash of color to the room. Because art is fundamentally decorative, we might not have fully understood that adding art to a home provides numerous less direct advantages as well. Furthermore, art can range from much more than just paintings — we can use textiles, sculptures, and ceramic art to add visual variety to our spaces.
Why Is Art Essential?
In a time where much of our furniture is mass-produced and factory-made, a hand-crafted work of art can bring life and a sense of connection back into the room. Every piece of art is unique. Each brushstroke or bump conveys the inspiration, skill, and investment of their creator. There is an artist behind every piece of art and their art can help you to connect with their message or remind you of the creative world at large.
A home is an extension of the self and displaying art can help you to express yourself and make the space your own. Without having to put it into words, art around your home can convey your personality and what you value in life. When you surround yourself with art that speaks to you, you can lean into the emotions and feelings that make you feel happy, comforted, or encouraged.
Finally, art encourages dialogue. It provides an opportunity for you—and your visitors—to think openly and discuss your opposing ideas. At its simplest, art can be a casual and convenient talking point. And, at its most complex, it can lead to deep conversations that challenge your worldview. Art reminds us that there can be numerous ways to perceive an issue and many avenues to address a problem.
Walls That Speak
Paintings are the go-to artwork for people looking to embellish their homes. Wall art can immediately upgrade your interior design and add interest to your room. That said, while you may like the painting in the gallery or the catalog, it may not be the right fit for your room. A painting that is too big or too small can throw off the balance of a room. Hence, it is important to determine the ideal size before you go shopping.
The painting you choose should complement the color palette of your home. If you have light, empty walls, then a bright or vivid painting can bring color and life into the room. If you just want a quiet companion, then a painting that has similar shades to your interior elements will create a comfortable visual effect. Should you prefer art to be front and center, then placing a large painting in the middle of a huge empty wall will draw the eye and make your home feel like an art gallery.
With no shortage of oil paintings on the market, you can choose paintings that reflect your personal aesthetic. If your home décor is modern and minimalist, it may be strange to have an impressionist painting. Similarly, an abstract painting may feel out of place in a traditional country home. The framing of the painting is important as well because a quality frame can enhance the impact of a painting. For more contemporary pieces, stretched canvas is a great option.
Art From the Earth
Ceramics are another fantastic way to accessorize a room. Although they have been around for thousands of years, ceramics continue to be widely used due to being extremely functional as well as decorative. Ceramic art can range from porcelain plates to miniature animals, and bespoke teapots to colorful tiles. Ceramics are so versatile and can add to the décor of both the interior and exterior of your home.
The best thing about ceramic art is that you can be assured that most pieces are handmade. Rarely are two pieces of ceramics the same, and their individual flaws add to their authenticity and appeal. Ceramics can be very collectible with sought-after pieces selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Broken ceramics can be valuable too, with the rising popularity of Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics with gold.
Woven Stories
Another form of art gathering momentum in the collector’s circle is textiles. While they are only getting mass recognition now, textiles might have been the earliest collectible art form. Many ancient peoples used weaving to incorporate stories into textiles that were passed down through the generations. In the Western world, fabrics from far-flung lands and certain uncommon natural dyes were highly prized due to their rarity.
Today, textiles are a trendy way to incorporate history and culture into your living space. The vibrant and lively textiles of Africa will wake up any intrepid explorer’s home, and the ornate and luxuriant textiles of 18th century Europe will summon you to a different era. Light-weight textiles can be made into cushion covers and throws, while large pieces such as antique tapestries can be displayed as wall art.
Your home is not just a place to eat and sleep. It should be a nurturing environment that strengthens your spirit and releases your mind. Adding art to your home can help to nourish your soul and add that little spark of creativity that we need to make life interesting.