The basic idea should be to create a contrast between the dominant colours of your walls and those of your new painting. While a white wall will work well with almost any colour, wallpapers and stronger colours need to be complemented more carefully. The most important rule is to avoid different shades of the same colour.
This is a common mistake: people think green will match green, blue will match blue etc.
The result in most cases is an over striking effect that eclipses any details. Try first to determine your room’s dominant colour and the one in the oil painting you like. Try to imagine them next to each other. If you cannot imagine it, experiment by putting two items or pieces of cloth of these colours next to each other and see how they fit.
A great feature we’ve added to our website is the option to browse by warm or cold colours. This feature can help you filter the right artworks for your space.
3. Match your current interior’s style
Don’t forget, your new painting must work with your current furniture and its style. A classical oil on canvas portrait may look out of place in a minimalist Japanese style living room. Your furniture already creates a decorative statement. Make sure your new painting works well with it. To make things easier for you, we have made sure you can also browse our site by style of painting. This way, all you have to do is to select the artistic style that best defines your space and you are half way there.
4. Create a theme
Creating a theme, through the use of colours or subjects can maximize an oil painting’s effect on your interior design. When creating a theme you must think like a gallery owner. Try to tell a story. Make your audience look for the clues and the missing parts of the story you have imagined for them. Don’t over do it though.
A good theme consists of no more than 3 or 4 paintings. Pushing it further you may enter a dark place called vulgar!
5. Choose the right size
A common mistake is to acquire an oil painting that fits an empty space exactly. Remember, an oil painting needs space to be appreciated. Here is a rule of thumb: try to keep the size of the space that surrounds your painting as relative as you can to its size. For example, if your new painting is 20”X24” make sure there at least 20” wall space around it. These are but a few suggestions. If you still find it hard to choose the right one please do contact us, one of our experts will gladly assist you with tips and professional advice. You can transform any interior by decorating your home or office with a handmade oil painting. The lively and bright colours of the fine oil paints and the texture of the brushstrokes are bound to make an impression. But how to make sure it is the right effect for you?
6. How to frame and hang your artwork
Some canvas artwork can be hung with no frame and can be a good solution for interior walls that can't carry a great deal of weight. Landlords and developers often use this option in show homes and in rental properties for this reason. If you do select a frame, tie it in to the location where the artwork is to be hung, as well as in to the artwork itself. The frame should be a continuation of the picture rather than a contrast.
Style is another consideration when selecting a frame for your art. If your house is filled with antiques, for example, you'll want to use antique-style frames on the paintings you hang there. If you have contemporary furniture in large rooms with high ceilings, you'll want to hang large, contemporary paintings.
As a rule, paintings should be hung so that the centre of the painting is at eye level and hung the right way up. On abstract pieces this can be confusing. Check for a signature (usually bottom right) or with the gallery you bought it from.
7. How to create an art-friendly room
When you walk into a gallery or museum, what do they all have in common? White walls and plenty of light. If a room has wallpaper, patterns or is quite dark, there will be too much interference for you to appreciate the piece. Simple, plain and neutral colour schemes work best to show off your art.
If you want to make art the centre attraction, play down the other elements of the room such as window coverings, carpeting, wall coverings, and even furniture.
A room crowded with other colours, textures and objects will take the spotlight away from the art.
You may like to select one room in your house to focus on art. Paint the walls white or off-white. Lay hardwood floors or a neutral carpet. Install window coverings with clean simple lines and neutral colours (or no window coverings at all). Put up directional spot lights that can be adjusted to focus on the art, or use individual picture lighting for each piece.
Quick Tips
· Whether it's £500 or £5,000 - choose a budget and stick to it
· Keep the colours of your décor in mind, but there's no need for an exact colour match
· Frames should suit both the art and the environment
· Hang your paintings so the centre is at eye-level
· Think about how you plan to light the art
· Keep paintings away from direct sunlight
For the furniture, follow the principle that less is more. This is not the room to display your collectibles. Let the art be the star. Then relax and enjoy it.
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