Choosing a painting for the interior is not an easy task. What should be your focus, what should be considered, and how to choose “just the one” among the variety?
What should you consider when choosing a painting?
The following criteria should be taken into account when choosing a painting:
- Style. A painting that does not fit the overall style of the interior will look alien.
- Color palette. A painting can become a living accent in the interior or, conversely, it can dilute the color palette of a room with additional colors.
- Size. The length and width of a painting directly affect the visual perception of a room.
Style
The general rule is: when choosing a painting and its style, you should be guided by the style of the interior of a room. It should blend in with the interior, become its extension.
It sure helps to look at 10–20 examples of paintings in interiors similar to yours on the web. So you can catch the difference in styles and understand what suits your interior.
The general recommendations are as follows:
- abstract paintings go well with minimalist design;
- paintings with urban themes are appropriate for an urban interior;
- pop art, minimalism, graphic paintings go well with the Scandinavian interiors.
Tip! If you like a painting, but it does not fit the interior according to the “general rules”, do not be afraid of contrasts and take it anyway. First of all, it should please your eyes.
Color
When choosing a painting color, focus on its role—it will be the main accent in the interior, or it will complement it. If it is going to be the main accent, then the color design should be bright, noticeable, and stand out in contrast to the overall color palette of a room: the color of curtains, ceiling, walls. If it is going to complement a room, choose a painting with colors similar to the overall color palette.
Tip! Our eyes are always drawn to the most contrasting point in the interior. If you put a dark painting on a dark background, it will get lost. But if a background is white, it will immediately attract attention.
Size
You should consider a few key factors in advance to avoid making a mistake with the size of a painting or you will regret the purchase:
- Room area. A large painting will visually shrink a small room, and a small painting will simply get lost in a large room. Also consider the size of an object you plan to place a painting over. For example, if you want to hang a painting over a 200 cm (6′ 6″) wide sofa, its size should be 150 cm (4′ 11″) (2 to 3 rule).
Tip! For a small room with low ceilings, it is better to choose a vertical painting, and for a large room with high ceilings—a horizontal painting. If you like a large painting and want to place it in a small room, do not hang it on the wall, just put it on the floor or lean it against the wall.
- The space around a painting. There should be enough space around a painting, i. e. there should be an indentation on all sides. Interior designers like to say that the wall is an extra frame for a painting. They do not recommend placing a painting very close to cabinets, shelves, other furniture. A painting should “breathe” freely.
Tip! Some galleries offer a “painting for trial” service, i. e. several favorite paintings of different sizes are brought to your home so you can try them on and see the best way to fit into the interior of a room.
Tips for choosing a painting according to the room purpose
Kitchen
Interior designers recommend placing paintings with still life or tranquil landscapes in the kitchen, which would not only fill the room with comfort but also dispose to eating. Paintings with images of appetizing dishes, vegetables, fruits, coffee beans look beautiful.
Bedroom
For bedrooms, it is better to choose quiet paintings, not irritating to the eye, with beautiful, soothing scenery, such as forest or sea. As an option, the bedroom can be decorated with a modular painting depicting a colorful sunset.
Tip! When choosing a painting for your bedroom, ask yourself these questions: What would you like to see every morning? What will cheer you up and put you in a good mood?
Living room
Live and dynamic paintings, like a panoramic view of the city, and the seascapes go well with the living room.
Tip! When choosing a painting for your living room, ask yourself: What kind of atmosphere would you like to fill your living room with? What mood do you plan to set for the interior?
Hallway
Here you should give preference to neutral paintings: floral compositions, landscapes, still-life paintings. Abstract and geometry paintings look good in hallways. When choosing a painting for the hallway, remember that it is the first thing guests see and it should impress them, it should emphasize your taste.
How to choose a painting as a gift?
When choosing a painting as a gift, you need to answer 2 questions:
- Who do you give it to, what are their tastes or hobbies? Try to find a connection between a painting and the person you plan to give it to. For example, you can give a painting of a landscape associated with pleasant memories to a girl. A painting, symbolizing success or money, prosperity, and career growth will be an appropriate gift for a businessman.
- Where to? The living room or, for example, the office? It is important to consider in advance that the style and color of a painting harmoniously fit the interior.
