As interior designers we are often asked: “How do I choose the right art for my home?”. Nothing enhances your space like a collection of art that you love, but finding the right piece can be a daunting process. At Epic, we understand the importance of artwork in our design and the role it plays in elevating a room. In this guide, we walk you through everything you need to know, from finding artists and incorporating pieces into your decor, to budgeting and arranging artwork around your home.

Expert tips on choosing artwork for any space

1. Discover your art personality

Before investing in any art, it’s important to think about your favourite style. Do you love bright colors? Are you a nature lover? Are you passionate about travel? Choosing pieces that reflect your personality is a great way to add unique character into your space. Other popular styles include:

• Pop art

• Watercolor

• Abstract

• Landscape

• Contemporary

If you are just starting out or are not quite sure of your art personality, don’t worry. All you have to do is start looking. We recommend searching for different styles online (Pinterest is a great tool for this) or visiting local art galleries to begin with. As your exposure to art increases, you’ll notice your eye will be drawn to some styles over others.

Some of our favorite go-tos for artwork inspiration are Saatchi Art and Artsy. You can join sites like these for free and save artwork that you find intriguing. Not only do they allow you to track your interests, they also can help your interior designer in choosing the perfect art selection for your home.

Professional tip when choosing styles:

At this stage of the game, don’t worry about pricing. Simply save the works you love and we can help you from there as part of our Custom Design or Virtual Design packages.

2. Displaying and arranging art

When you walk into your space, is your eye automatically drawn to a particular wall or feature? Making the most of these focal points in your home is essential when it comes to displaying art. Ideally, every room in your home should have one focal point whether that be a rug, frame or piece of furniture.

Popular locations for wall art will often include over a fireplace or a feature wall in your living room. But that’s not to say that other areas in your home (think kitchen, powder room and corridors) can’t be improved with beautiful artwork too. In other words, there are really no spaces that are off limits when it comes to art (well, except maybe the garage).

We suggest designating the primary and secondary areas of your home before spending most of your resources in the primary areas. This is where an interior designer can be indispensable in helping to prioritize what areas are best suited for artworks and their level of importance.

3. Consider Mixing it Up

Your art needn’t be limited to the walls. When planning your collection, we suggest looking at a variety of materials to add interest and texture to your space. While original paintings can anchor your collection, other pieces such as prints, freestanding sculptures, textiles and mixed media works can give depth and interest. The great thing about art is that you can mix it up and get creative, even with family photos, quotes and frames. Here at Epic, we are huge fans of the salon style wall. Why not cover an entire wall in your home and make a statement?

4. Art first, space second

When thinking about your overall design, we recommend considering the art first. Use the visual information to inform the rest of your design choices including palette, materials, and finishes. While most think that art is a ‘finishing touch’, we believe that using creativity first is key to transforming a space.

How do interior designers choose art?

Here at Epic, we select decor and artworks from a variety of local and international emerging artists. When choosing art for a client’s home, we consider the budget, color and functionality of the piece, as well as art personality. If you’re having trouble finding the perfect artwork, we can even commission a custom work to enhance your space.

5. Be original

The art in your home should represent you and your life. Don’t be afraid to go with art that boosts your mental well-being or makes you feel a certain way (relaxed, inspired, energized etc.) When you design your space, you want that collection to stand the test of time so make it personal. If you naturally gravitate towards a certain genre of art, explore it and see what different variations you can find. Within those parameters we can help you find the best possible examples from working artists that share your vision and passions.

6. Lastly, determine your budget

Anyone can buy art regardless of their budget but it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with what original works may cost. Artwork pricing can run an infinite range depending on a number of factors including:

• Type of art

• Scale

• Materials

• The artist

• Media (for instance, paintings tend to cost more than works on paper)

We suggest strategies that allow you to collect works over time. If you have a lower budget, we can work with emerging artists who tend to have more affordable price points. Remember, there is nothing wrong with decorating using reproduction art if that is what your budget allows. That being said, we can also help guide you if you’d like to invest in art.

Get inspired

Not sure where to start or still have questions about choosing artwork for your home? Get in touch with the Epic Interiors team for your Custom Design service including everything from identifying and resourcing art, to delivery and installation. Let’s start beautifying your space through art today.

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