Last Updated on November 22, 2024 by Tanya Janse van Rensburg
In terms of incorporating the beautiful feeling that comes from having artwork, there’s nothing quite as impactful as yourself putting it up in your home.
Artwork can make you famous, or famous artwork can bring culture, history, and a beautiful aesthetic to your space.
Bring classic pieces and modern icons into your decor if you want to convert any space.
Whether you’re a fan of modern art or traditional classic art, here’s a guide to adding iconic artwork to your home and some pointers on how to choose and display art that suits your style.
Works of art are famous for being able to say something in any space.
From the bold brush strokes of Van Gogh’s 'Starry Night' to the soft beauty of da Vinci’s 'Mona Lisa,' these pieces can elicit a roller coaster of emotions while starting a discussion.
Fitting famous pictures in your house gives you cultural significance.
It brings guests a bouquet of their opinions encompassing your preferences and makes their decor more eye-catching and ageless.
The first step is choosing the artwork that adds to and completes the atmosphere.
Here are a few things to consider:
Artwork is best decided upon in line with the room's design style.
Botticelli’s 'The Birth of Venus' is a classic that goes well in traditional or vintage-inspired interiors, and abstracts by Kandinsky and Picasso may be suitable for modern spaces.
Choose art that matches the sound of your space: serene, energized, or a bit edgy.
Famous artworks exist in a wide range of color palettes, from Monet’s ‘Water Lilies’ in muted palettes to Matisse’s ‘The Red Room’ in vivid palettes.
Choose pieces that work along with the color scheme of the room.
A bright piece will almost always add a stunning focal point. However, if your room is neutral-toned, artwork with some subtler hues will work well, though it could be an asset for a colorful room.
Select artwork that is of the same size as the wall and furniture.
You may have a small print of 'The Persistence of Memory' lost above several-sized sofas or one more significant piece of art, like 'The Kiss' by Gustav Klimt, to fill a big wall.
As a good rule of thumb, the artwork's width should be no more than two–thirds the width of the furniture above which it is placed.
In most homes, the living room is a gathering place, an excellent place to display a label of epic art.
Placing a well-known piece, such as Edvard Munch's ' The Scream ' or Vermeer's ' Girl with a Pearl Earring, above the couch can be a good conversation starter and a focal point for the room.
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Artwork in the bedroom is a choice for establishing a peaceful, personalized place. Claude Monet’s 'Impression, Sunrise' and Georgia O'Keeffe’s floral works are among the better pieces, especially those painted in soothing tones.
The artwork looks best placed above the headboard for a unified, elegant feel or in smaller framed prints on either side of the bed to maintain symmetry.
Artwork that’s elegant and adds depth without stretching the ticker is a winner for dining rooms.
Go more classic and choose artworks with rich colors that create striking compositions, like Caravaggio's ‘Basket of Fruit’ or Vermeer’s ‘The Milkmaid.’
Warhol’s bright pop art series and Lichtenstein’s comic-inspired works are good choices if you love modern art.
Artwork that would inspire focus and creativity is welcome in your home office.
For the abstract or modern art aficionado, a piece from Kandinsky or Pollock can get the juices flowing and help keep you inspired throughout the workday.
Da Vinci’s 'Lady with an Ermine' or Michelangelo’s sketches are historical portraits that lend a studious, productive ambiance to the office, similar to what you’d have in a classroom.
Famous beach artwork is a beautiful way to make hallways and entryways inviting.
These are high-traffic areas, so go for pieces that will grab people’s attention.
Try anything by Van Gogh—like his ‘Sunflowers’—or Rousseau’s ‘The Dream.’
A gallery-style arrangement of several smaller pieces of art by famous artists works nicely in hallways, with plenty of wall space to spare for one to enjoy a walk through the space and view the assorted pieces.
Famous artwork should be incorporated into your home balance, as the pieces are visually striking and can easily be the focal point of a room.
Here’s how to harmonize the artwork with your decor:
It’s essential to be careful, as famous artwork tends to be striking. You don’t want to overcrowd the space with too many decor items.
Minimize the decoration around the art and let it breathe.
To match the room, use one or two colors from the artwork in pillows, rugs, or curtains.
In this case, it ensures the room is united and neat.
Make sure that the scale of the artwork is suitable for the wall space and the furniture beneath it.
A big piece can spill a small room’s sense of scale, while a small piece can be overwhelmed by a large wall.
Directional lighting that is soft and hangs over without causing glare or distraction lights up famous artwork in an intimate, beautiful way.
Focusing on the details of the piece, wall-mounted lights or track lighting is used.
Putting famous artwork on your home decor gives your home space timeless beauty and sophistication.
When used thoughtfully and carefully selected, these works can be the centerpiece of your design, defining each room’s personality.
Beautiful, historical, conversational pieces and famous artworks from the classics to modern masterpieces grace your home.
Whatever you desire, whether a strong statement or a soft echo of culture, these aged pieces will inspire and add to your living space.
