Styling Your Space with Wall Art

Choosing art for your walls can be an intimidating experience. How much to spend? What's the right size? How do you pick the right frame for a painting or photograph?

Over my career in interior design, I've helped clients select all types of art--from expensive original works to art prints at a more accessible price point. And it all works! Read on for some tips for styling your walls with art!

Art as a Personal Expression: Tell Your Story

If you’re starting with a blank canvas, think about art that reflects your family heritage, your birthplace--even your favorite sport team. The bull depicted in this painted canvas is an homage to the client's home state of Texas.

Speaking of sports teams, I love to see clients get creative and frame a treasured artifact, whether that's a signed jersey, a vintage baseball card collection, or a family heirloom.

Consider Multi-Dimensional Art

Don't limit your search for art to paintings and photography. Get creative by exploring various mediums and dimensions.

Art made from wood, metal, paper, fabric and glass all add texture and dimension. In the image below, the metal basketry of the wall sculpture over the fireplace is juxtaposed with the rough-hewn ceramic tile surrounding the firebox.

Try Oversized Art for a Strong Focal Point

For the adjacent wall of the living room/dining room above, we found an original canvas in the client's favorite chartreuse that didn't break the bank at South Loop Loft. The bright block of color is a great counterpoint to the black and white and wood tones in the rest of the room.

We also put a large modern abstract painting on this client's wall (below), flanked by antiqued mirrors. We used the colors in the painting as a jumping-off point for the accent colors in the room.

Bring Your Travels Home with You

Chicago offers a plethora of art galleries and festivals where you can browse for art.

For something more out of the ordinary, many people enjoy picking up art when traveling. It's a great way to explore art culture and to keep memorable experiences with you everyday.

This painting from Morocco (above) found a perfect place in this client's sunny breakfast room. Note how black and white can be paired with nearly any color.

Black & Whites: Classic & Versatile

The black and white abstract ink works on paper by artist Carlyn Janus below are versatile pieces that can be used almost anywhere.

We framed these Janus originals with a wide matte and hung them across the master headboard in this client’s bedroom. The simple black frame keeps this look affordable.

For another client, we grouped four similar abstracts in a rectangle for a dining room wall. You can see this artist's work at Art Post Gallery in Northbrook.

Put Art Anywhere!

Art can elevate a space and most rooms can benefit from a spot of color, a sparkle, or some intrigue.

We added the original work below to an unexpected place--a first-floor powder room, where the bright colors in the oil painting come to life against an elegant grasscloth wallcovering. Paired with a sheepskin bench and silk and burnished velvet pillows, it helps creates a mood!

Now, get going and get creative with your walls! And don’t forget to post your work—and artwork--to @yaminidesigns #wallstyle