Want To Bring Art Into Your Home? Here's How!

Art is an expression of human creativity! It can be anything. 

Hanging a bike frame on a wall, or dangling a propeller from a ceiling could be considered art. When visiting museums, you may have noticed that art is displayed according to country of origin, era, medium used, and theme. But, how does that translate when decorating your home?

Art should be an extension of who you are, as well as, the people with whom you share your space with. Everyone's tastes are different, but there are some very basic guidelines to follow to help bring it all together.

When choosing pieces of art for your home, consider color theory. There are three basic categories of color theory that can help you make logical decisions: the color wheel, color harmony, and context. 

The color wheel is a great tool, invented by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666, based on the primary colors; red, yellow, and blue. It is particularly helpful when trying to figure out which colors will play well together in your space, or harmony. 

A good rule of thumb is that colors which lie next to each other, or are directly positioned diagonally on the color wheel, will work well together in your space. And any color combination found in nature will be a winner!

Be mindful that certain colors will behave differently when paired with others. This is called context. Your art can either be the center of attention or blend into the background. Decide which features should get the most attention in the room and choose art that complements those features. If the artwork is the focal point, then make sure to accessorize the room with pops of color from the art piece, for the sake of continuity.

When hanging art or installing a sculpture, make sure they are positioned at eye level. Aim for eight - 16 inches higher than the nearest furniture piece. You may use picture hangers, shelves, or cables. Large pieces can be leaned against the wall. Just be sure to secure everything safely! 

And no room is off limits! Just do things that make sense or have special meaning. Try to avoid being too literal. Pictures of fruit don't make much sense in the bedroom or the bathroom. Rooms with high activity should be adorned with art pieces that evoke movement, warmth, and energy. Bedroom artwork should be sensual, calming, and soothing. Use hallways and staircases as a gallery that tells a story about your family, a wedding, or a vacation.

If you have an eclectic taste, embrace mixing frames, metals, styles, patterns, and colors. You art is an expression of what motivates and inspires you. There are really no right or wrong answers here. Do what feels good and enjoy your space!