How To Choose Art Pairings For Every Room In Your Home (Plus Expert Tips On Art Care And Storage)

One of the best ways to infuse personality and add substance to any room is through art. A captivating work of art has the power to transform the ambiance of a room and add to the story of the person living in that space.

However, choosing art for your home can pose a challenge. While it’s essential to choose pieces that speak to you personally, it’s equally important to consider the room’s purpose and how the chosen art aligns with your overall interior design.

To expertly guide you in how to choose art for your home, as well as to care for it, we’ve consulted art enthusiasts and interior designers who weigh in with some helpful tips.

Moreover, since being a custodian of art also comes with the responsibility of ensuring its proper care, we’ve included insights on safeguarding your art during a move and the benefits of keeping your collection in a climate-controlled storage facility(opens in new tab).

Turn your bedroom into a sanctuary with bold pieces of art

The bedroom is a sanctuary, a place where we rejuvenate and replenish our energy. Therefore, choosing art for your bedroom is a deeply personal process. The pieces you select should resonate with you personally and instill the desired atmosphere in your bedroom. Do you need a serene and calming environment for sleep, or would you wake up in a better mood if your room were vibrant and energizing?

Keep in mind that artworks can be the soul of a space, and the bedroom often serves as the canvas for showcasing art that holds emotional significance. This could include custom bedroom artwork like silhouettes of your loved ones, framed wedding vows or family portraits. This is not a space you should compromise, but instead you can ponder the value of investing in pieces that make a bold statement.

Art pieces that work well in your bedroom include abstract paintings and sculptures that add a modern and thought-provoking touch, botanical illustrations, fine art photography that evokes a sense of nostalgia and framed personal photographs of loved ones.

Selecting art that complements the color scheme of your bedroom is crucial for establishing a stronger sense of harmony. This, in turn, makes the room more inviting, personal and creative.

Artist Tony Corbitt(opens in new tab) explains how color choices can impact the mood: “Your art should match the tone of the room. Be thoughtful about your color choices, as you don’t want to put crazy colors or chaotic patterns in a room where you go to relax and be calm. Interior designers can be immensely helpful with selecting and/or arranging your art collection.”

Sculptures made of materials like wood, metal or stone can add a tactile, three-dimensional element to your décor, while tapestries and quilts can introduce texture and color into your bedroom.

In addition, commissioning a piece of custom art(opens in new tab) that reflects your personal story or vision for the bedroom can be a unique choice that will enhance the appeal of the room for years to come.

Elevate your dining room with appetizing art

The dining room is a prime space for creative freedom and bold expression. Here, the boundaries of your artistic vision can expand, allowing for the possibilities of oversized paintings, vivid color palettes and a variety of artistic mediums.

It’s a space where art can transcend its visual appeal and become a conversation piece in its own right. So, why not add some intrigue into your dining experience? Surprise your guests at your next dinner party with art that sparks lively discussions and adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the meal.

Large, eye-catching art pieces for the living room can serve as a focal point for the room, while abstract paintings or sculptures add an element of dynamism to the dining area.

Traditional or modern still-life paintings featuring food, flowers or other dining-related subjects are particularly fitting as family room wall art, while art that celebrates culinary traditions can be an appetizing choice as well.

You might also consider creating a dining room wall canvas with art that is meaningful, like family portraits or photos you took on vacation. Sentimental art will always create a feel-good atmosphere in any space.

When considering where to place your artwork, make sure that the ambient conditions won’t damage the pieces, as Lindsey Bourret from Mearto(opens in new tab) suggests: “Hang artwork high above the heat of your fireplace and keep your most precious pieces out of narrow corridors, where they may be brushed against or knocked off the wall.”

Select deliciously stylish art for your kitchen

When it comes to choosing artwork for your kitchen, it’s crucial to keep practical considerations at the forefront of your decision. So, how do you choose wall art for the kitchen? Since the kitchen is the home’s bustling hub of culinary activity, materials like paper and glass can be susceptible to damage from factors like heat, humidity and grease.

Additionally, kitchen wall space is often limited, given the presence of cabinets, oven hoods, spice racks and hanging pots and pans. Instead of thinking how to choose wall art, you can opt to place picture frames on countertops or arrange them on dedicated art shelves.

Remember that time spent in the kitchen should be fun and inspiring. This is the perfect space to experiment with playful and lively art choices.

Here, you have the opportunity to showcase cheerful vintage prints, sleek typography, custom posters(opens in new tab) of your favorite food and cocktail recipes from around the world, paintings of fruit and vegetables, or those appetizing photos you took in the food market during your last holiday.

Whimsical art for the children’s room

A child’s room holds the potential to be a vivid reflection of their evolving personality and interests. Just as children grow and their hobbies shift, the ambiance of their room should also adapt. It’s a collaborative journey for parents and their young ones to select the perfect artwork. This shared effort contributes to a sense of connection between the child and their surroundings, fostering an environment where they can truly be themselves.

The goal is to adorn the room with art that resonates with the child’s age and their unique, youthful spirit. Seek out age-appropriate artwork that inspires cheerfulness and creativity.

Some popular choices include cute animal illustrations, nature-inspired scenes, whimsical spots and patterns, playful depictions of games and sports, captivating images of automobiles, and dreamy visions of outer space.

The chosen art can also be an educational tool, presenting maps or celestial formations to keep the flame of curiosity and wonder burning brightly in a child’s heart.

How to choose artwork the bathroom

Bathrooms, typically among the smallest rooms of our homes, can regrettably be overlooked when it comes to art. Yet, the selection of a few discreet pieces can infuse your bathroom with charm, creating an oasis for relaxation.

According to Lindsey Bourret from Mearto, it’s important to “make sure that your bathroom is well-ventilated and opt for a piece in a metal frame to avoid issues with mold and moisture.”

In the realm of artistic possibilities, you might explore fine art photography or modern plant-themed art prints. Each, in its own way, contributes to the bathroom’s decorative appeal. If the walls are tiled and you can’t nail art into them, consider stick-on hooks or a floating shelf to display small artworks.

Now, regarding where to place your artistic gems, a position opposite the bathroom mirror is a clever choice. This strategic placement allows you to savor the artworks not only directly but also indirectly, as they are beautifully reflected, enhancing the room’s overall ambiance.

Choosing artwork for your office

As a significant number of people continue to embrace a remote or hybrid work lifestyle(opens in new tab), the home office becomes a dedicated environment for unleashing productivity. Here, your surroundings play a vital role in keeping you focused, so it’s essential to know how to pick artwork that serves as motivation and inspiration.

Daily tasks can occasionally stir up stress, so choosing artwork for your office space takes on a purposeful dimension. Opting for images that bring a sense of calm and give your mind a chance to rest can be a good idea. If you thrive in a clutter-free environment, consider minimalist art with clean lines and monochrome schemes.

If you are the creative type, figurative art or a contemporary abstract painting featuring organic shapes may stimulate creativity while having a calming effect at the same time.

Nature-inspired art, with its soothing landscapes or botanical motifs, can infuse your workspace with a sense of the outdoors, evoking harmony and peace. Equally, a gallery wall of your favorite quotes or typographic art may serve as a daily source of motivation and reflection.

Your workspace should echo your aspirations, and choosing art pieces that are meaningful to you will give you a soothing sense of privacy. A work environment that stimulates your mind and sparks your imagination ultimately has a positive impact on well-being and productivity.

How to tend to your art when moving

Moving is a time of excitement and anticipation, but concerning your cherished art pieces, it’s essential to tread with care. Art, whether it’s a sentimental family heirloom or a real masterpiece, requires special attention during the transition.

To ensure the safety of your artwork, you should first secure appropriate packing materials. You will need materials such as acid-free paper, bubble wrap, cardboard corner protectors, packing tape and sturdy cardboard boxes.

Carefully wrap your art and add layers of protective bubble wrap to create soft cushioning. Pay attention to protecting corners and edges, as they are prone to damage while moving.

Use packing materials like foam peanuts to create a cushioned layer at the bottom of the box. Label each box with the artwork name and its destination in your new home. Documenting your art inventory can be useful for insurance purposes.

It’s recommended to store your artwork upright to reduce the contact surface that might damage your art while in it is transition.

Moreover, consider the option of a climate-controlled self-storage unit during your move, which provides a stable environment to shield your art from shifts in temperature and humidity. In these controlled spaces, your art can be safely stored while you settle into your new space. It’s a seamless way to protect your investments, ensuring that your artwork will continue to be a source of inspiration in your new home.

When moving art yourself, handle it with utmost care and avoid placing heavy objects on top of the boxes it is being transported in. If you have valuable or particularly delicate artworks, consider hiring professional movers who have experience in handling and transporting art.

Self storage for art collectors and artists

Self storage can be of great help when trying to find a good place for storing paintings(opens in new tab) or other pieces of art, whether you’re switching homes or you curate works of art. Chris Laverty, design expert at elementalspot.com(opens in new tab) and avid art collector, suggested that self storage “ensures the longevity of the pieces over time. Moreover, having a dedicated storage space allows collectors and artists to organize their collections systematically, ensuring easy access and preventing accidental damage. Keeping everything in one place also aids in inventory management and ensures that pieces aren’t misplaced or forgotten.”

Many self storage facilities offer climate-controlled units(opens in new tab), which provide a stable environment that will protect delicate artwork from extremes of temperature and humidity. In addition, self storage units often have advanced security measures, such as surveillance cameras and individually alarmed units, providing peace of mind for art collectors.

24/7 accessibility is another great advantage. Frequently, art enthusiasts may discover that they own a greater collection of art than they can showcase. Self storage provides collectors with the freedom to acquire and store valuable artworks, periodically retrieving them so that they can rotate the pieces they exhibit in their homes. This grants them the privilege to refresh their walls and living spaces in tune with the changing seasons or their current moods.

For artists, self storage offers the essential room required to engage in larger creative endeavors, as well as to store art materials and finished pieces. It serves as an effective method for organizing and protecting artwork outside the home or studio.

Enjoy your art!