THE ART OF CHOOSING ART
5 STEPS TO KNOWING WHAT ART IS RIGHT FOR YOUR HOME
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Though I was only about eight years old and too short to get a full glimpse above the huge crowd…
I couldn't help but wonder what all the fuss was really about.
Hundreds of people. Cameras raised. Everyone craning to catch a glimpse of this tiny painting behind bulletproof glass...
Looking at the Mona Lisa in the Louvre is one of my earliest memories of art—at least one that's really stuck with me.
And sure, I was probably way too young to grasp its full significance.
But it taught me something I still believe today:
Art is by no means universal. It's deeply personal.
And it just doesn't speak to everyone the same way.
What feels profound to one person might feel pretentious to someone else.
What one person treasures, another might walk right past.
Maybe you've felt it too? Standing in a museum or gallery, eyes on a famous work, waiting for something to click—and it just doesn’t.
As cliché as it might sound, it's safe to say that the beauty in art really is in the eye of the beholder.
But that's exactly what makes it so powerful!
Because when we bring art into our homes, we're not just filling empty wall space.
We're adding more personality, connection, and meaning!
But to get there, we have to begin with one key question:
What actually speaks to you?
And while it's easy to know what's trending or what you should like...
It's something else entirely to figure out what resonates on a deeper level.
Plus, when it comes to interiors, art doesn't exist in a vacuum—it needs to align with the overall style, colors, proportions, and everything else that surrounds it.
It has to feel like it belongs—while still standing out.
So where do you start?
Let's walk through five steps to uncover what kind of art truly fits you.
THE 5 STEPS TO KNOWING WHAT ART IS RIGHT FOR YOUR HOME
Step 01: The Emotional Impact ✨
First things first—art isn't just about what you see. Just like interior design as a whole, it's also about what you feel.
Some pieces soothe: soft landscapes, gentle abstracts, muted tones, flowing shapes. Others energize: bold colors, high contrast, dynamic lines, striking compositions.
So, start by noticing what you naturally gravitate toward—and consider how you want your home to feel. The more you lean into emotion, the easier it is to know what pieces truly resonate.
Step 02: The Style 🎨
Style is where things can get overwhelming—because art spans countless looks and categories.
To simplify, I like breaking it down into four key contrasts:
- Photo Art vs. Painted Works: Photography captures reality as it is—a misty morning, a quiet street. A painting reinterprets that same scene through feeling, perspective, and texture.
- Abstract vs. Representational: Representational art shows you what's familiar—figures, landscapes, flowers. Abstract art speaks through color, shape, and rhythm. It's less about what you see and more about how it makes you feel.
- Realistic vs. Surrealistic: Realism stays true to form and proportion. Surrealism stretches those rules—think dreamlike, imaginative, unexpected.
- Finer Lines vs. Bolder Strokes: On one end, there's precise detail, clear edges, delicate control. On the other, bold brushstrokes, texture, movement, and expressive energy.
Once you begin noticing these patterns in art, your preferences will naturally start to emerge!
Step 03: The Era 🕰️
Art has changed and evolved a lot throughout history—so paying attention to eras can help narrow the field too.
In general, traditional works bring lots of depth, detail, and a sense of history, while more modern and contemporary pieces often lean into minimalism, abstraction, or a bolder look and feel.
And in between? A plethora of options that blend classic influences with a new twist.
Step 04: The Scale 📐
Both the size of motifs and the overall dimensions of art greatly influences how it's perceived.
Naturally, oversized art or large-scale motifs command attention and create impact, while smaller artwork or intricate details feel more intimate and invite a closer look.
And the key here is to find what proportions feel right both in terms of personal taste and the kind of presence you want art to have in your home.
Step 05: The Context 🖼️
Where and how art is displayed shifts everything!
From lighting and ceiling height to the scale of furniture and the shape of a room—context has a huge impact on how art comes across in a specific setting.
So before settling on your choices, make sure to consider where the piece will live and whether it will be perceived the way you envision.
And don't overlook the power of framing! It's not just an accent—it's also a bridge between your art and the rest of the room.
AND DON’T FORGET!
The best art for your home isn't necessarily what's trending or what's considered sophisticated or "right".
It's what speaks to you, what brings you joy, and what shapes the feeling you want to live with every single day.
And once you start noticing what you're genuinely drawn to, art becomes something so much more than decoration. It becomes a powerful tool to make your house feel like home ✨
