I’m finally getting rid of all those empty walls and getting some art on the walls. Here are some suggestions for how to choose wall art for your home…
Struggling to choose wall art for your home? Come on in…
For so long, wall art was so low down on the list of priorities for my flat. There’s always been other, bigger things to fix before now, like a hole in the ceiling or a fireplace so ugly it annoyed me every time I saw it.
Finally, my focus has moved to the walls, all those vacant, empty walls that have been staring at me for the past three years. But how do do you choose wall art for your home? Here’s what I’ve learned so far…
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Go big or go home!
Creating a gallery wall is expensive and it can take some time to get right, which I’ll talk on more below.
For that reason I’m a big fan of adding a statement piece into the mix. A statement piece of art is a potential game changer and can have a transformative effect on a space. Let me give you an example from my own home… I recently ordered a huge XXL jungle wall tapestry that I’d been umming and ahhing over for ages – see below.
I didn’t even really know exactly where it would go in the flat, but I knew it would create a statement wherever it was. It started off in the kitchen, then on the stairs, and then we ended up moving it to above our bed.
I absolutely love it there – it completely transforms the space and creates a sense of atmosphere that wasn’t there before. So definitely hunt out that statement piece, whether that’s a neon wall sign, bespoke print, or even a mural painted directly onto the wall if you’re brave enough.
Create a gallery wall for your home
When it comes to the modern home, gallery walls are very much the thing to have. However, I’ve found that the best way to create a gallery wall is NOT to create a gallery wall – at least not in a hurry.
I’ll explain: when I first started decorating my flat I wanted to it done really quickly, so I chose a bunch of cheap prints and convinced myself that if didn’t matter if I didn’t LOVE them as long as they all looked good collectively.
Yeah… that didn’t really work out. Half of them never made it onto the walls and the ones that did are really just there until something better comes along. For me, the hardest part has definitely been not rushing and, instead, collecting prints that are a bit more meaningful over a period of time.
So my biggest tip would be to take your time… which I appreciate is TOUGH!
Don’t feel like you have to hang everything
One of my favourite pieces in this Completely Devoted print by Soo-uk. I knew it had to go in the bathroom as it would look lush next the and charcoal hex tiles and grey walls.
I think it looks great casually propped up against the wall – it feels a little bit more undone, which I like. You really don’t have to frame everything when it comes to art. A bit of washi tape used on smaller prints surrounding a larger piece looks cool and is less ‘done’ than a frame.
Find art that’s personal to you
There’s so much amazing wall art out there, and frequently I’ll see something on someone else’s Instagram account that looks gorgeous… but doesn’t really mean anything to me. There are lots of cute dancing-themed typography posters out there (this kitchen is for dancing, for example) but I don’t like dancing, so having one in my house would feel totally insincere.
It sounds obvious but art is super personal and you have to make sure it really speaks to you, because otherwise what’s the point?
I recently framed a bunch of my favourite albums in Ikea box frames and spaced them out for a minimalist take on a gallery wall.
I also love Scottish artist Ross Muir, who repaints classics with a Scottish twist.
Use your art to create memories
I saw a story on Ed Sheeran recently where he said that each of his tattoos served as a memento of a particular moment in his life. I might not have any tattoos but I like to apply the same principle to my prints.
One of my favourite pieces I have is a print from an Amy Winehouse exhibition in London that my sister and I went along to shortly after Amy tragically died.
I bought a poster but it sat in my wardrobe for a good few years as I didn’t even have a flat at that time. Now though, every time I look at it I remember being there – and for someone with a terrible memory that’s a nice thing to have.
Where should you buy wall art?
As I’ve mentioned, art is super personal and should reflect your own taste, but here are some of my favourite websites for buying art work for my home…
Gayle Mansfield – clean typography pieces with on-point slogans
Desenio – you know it! Affordable, contemporary art prints in a mix of styles
Soo-uk – minimalist typography pieces with a Scandi vibe
King and McGaw – the place for THOSE Andy Warhol quote prints
Ross Muir – classic paintings reimagined with a Scottish twist #squaregogh
Those are my tips for how to choose wall art for your home!
thepooks.co.uk 