The Artful Home: Why Displaying Artwork and Photos Matters
Interior project by me.
Essencia means “essence”. Your home is a canvas waiting for you to add your own personal touch - your unique essence. That’s what we are all about at Essencia interiors!
Let’s explore why you should put thought into art when putting a room together. Art is a powerful ingredient to include when giving your home a makeover. Read below about how putting up meaningful pieces can transform your living space - and your life - in more ways than you might imagine.
And you don’t have to be an interior designer, artist or professional art critic. I’ll share some easy tips to help you display it like a pro.
1. Personalisation: It will make it uniquely yours
Some of the most beautiful homes I have seen were not the ones with the most grand and tall ceilings… or the ones with a theatre or a pool. The homes I have loved stepping in the most are the ones that have a personal touch in them from the people who matter most in that space - the people who live there. Seeing a couple’s personality shine through makes a house a home - one that is achieving its potential. Your home is a reflection of who you are, and there's no better way to make it uniquely yours than through the art and photos. These show your personality, your interests, the ones you love and the stories you choose to tell.
Choose pieces that resonate with you. And then your living space becomes a true extension of your identity, an artful expression of your individuality. After all, there is only one you.
2. Aesthetic Appeal: Adding Visual Delight
A well-chosen piece of art can change the entire vibe of a room. It brings visual delight to your space, making it come alive with color and texture. It brings colour, texture, and visual interest. Artwork transforms walls into eye-catching features, making your home aesthetically appealing. It can enhance even the plainest of spaces. One piece can set the tone for an entire room, turning it from ordinary to extraordinary. Artwork, whether it's a classic painting, a child’s blotchy painting or a photo of you and your best friend, introduces layers of depth to space that's hard to achieve any other way.
3. Emotional Connection: Bringing Memories to Life
Every piece of artwork or family photo you hang on your walls is a portal to the past. These are captured moments, relationships, and experiences that have shaped your life. As you walk through your home, these images are like old friends, always there to remind you of the beauty of the journey you've traveled. They infuse your living space with an emotional warmth that's as comforting as a favourite childhood blanket. They bring up joyful memories, creating an atmosphere of warmth and nostalgia that's hard to replicate with anything else.
4. Focal Points: Guiding the Eye
Artwork and photos naturally draw the eye, acting as focal points in a room. They bring depth and dimension to the space by leading the viewer's gaze and establishing a sense of balance and harmony.
5. Storytelling: Art That Speaks
Art has a way of telling stories. The art you choose becomes a part of your unique story. Each piece you select has its own tale to tell, whether the artist or photographer meant it that way or not. It can people who have been a special part of your life or experiences you have had. It can show your likes, interests and passions - and even places you’d like to visit one day. As you put your collection of artworks together to display, you're putting together a past and present story that will captivate both you and your guests.
6. Psychological Comfort: Art for Well-Being
Art isn't just about aesthetics; it has the power to influence your well-being. The right piece can be soothing, inspiring, or invigorating. It sets the mood, creating an environment that promotes mental and emotional comfort. PS and it can be cheaper than therapy! ;)
Your home is the place where you spend the most time, so it makes sense to transform it into a place that lifts your soul every time you walk in the door.
7. Versatile: Easily Refreshed
Perhaps one of the most practical aspects of displaying artwork and photos is its versatility. You can easily change or reposition pieces, allowing your space to evolve with your changing tastes, moods, or design trends without huge cost or effort. Not everything should be displayed at once. Just bring out a few at a time and experiment with what other decor they may go well with. This can give you a whole new fresh look.
Your space can evolve as you do, and art can easily change with you. If you're feeling a shift in your style, mood, or interests, simply rearrange or swap out your pieces. This versatility allows your home to stay fresh and appealing, ensuring that it's a reflection of your current self… or the values you are wanting to reflect.
TIPS for displaying artwork
Start by gathering art and items that really resonate with you, whether they bring back great memories or just match your style. These are your creative tools to spruce up your space.
When you're ready to display them, think about how you want to arrange them. Whether you go for an even lineup, or a more spontaneous and uneven design, the idea here is to make the biggest impact while keeping things neat.
Achieving balance: create a harmonious arrangement that distributes visual weight evenly, ensuring no single piece overpowers the others and the composition feels pleasing to your eye.
When hanging them on a wall, you can go for a regular or irregular arrangement, with your items forming a line either at the top or bottom of the wall. It's all about mixing big and small pieces to create an overall organized look. One smart approach is to begin with the largest piece - it's like the main star - and then hang the smaller ones around it. This way, you'll create a wall that tells a beautiful story. This method ensures that your wall becomes a captivating showcase of your unique style and tells a story that's both interesting and personal.
Remember to play with different sizes and shapes. Don't be afraid to mix things up - that's where the real fun begins. Let the various items in your collection interact and connect with each other. The key is to find the right balance between pieces of different sizes.
In Conclusion
Interior project by me. An example of balance and composition.
Artwork: “Pearl Beauty 1” in natural timber frame from our store Home By Essencia.
The art and photos you hang on your walls are more than decorations; they're a reflection of your identity. Think of it like a canvas - the choices you make when you put up art pieces or photos speak volumes about who you are and what you value. So, let your walls tell your story and make your living space truly yours. And they enhance the visual appeal of your space. Sound lifechanging? It is. Giving your space a makeover in this way can literally lift your well-being.
Start exploring the vast world of artwork and photos and let your walls come alive with creativity and meaning.
Need help improving your space? To find out how I can help you transform your space, check out my interior styling services here.