How to Select Abstract Art Like an Interior Designer

A lot of people feel a bit out of their depth when it comes to buying abstract art for their home or office. While interior designers and art advisors can be valuable resources to help with this, I want you to feel empowered to select abstract art for your space and enjoy the process of collecting. Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for abstract art to add to a space:

Mood

No matter the style of decor of the home or room, the mood of that decor is the most important thing that the abstract art must match. For example, an office featuring dark wood, dark colors, and textures like leather and wood create what many might call a “masculine” and studious mood. One gets the sense that the people in this space want to feel comfortable but not distracted by their surroundings. They also want the decor to look sophisticated and somewhat traditional. Abstract art can certainly fit this mood! I’d suggest artwork with deep neutral tones like my Butterscotch Burdino collection, or a black and white abstract piece.

Whether the mood is bright and airy, soft and dainty, playful and energetic, or elegant, abstract art can fit that mood—that’s one of the things I love about it!

Size

When selecting artwork, it’s critically important for you to keep in mind the size of the room and the size of the space you want the artwork to inhabit. If the art will be part of a grouping in a gallery wall format, a small piece like my Costa Brava Promenade will fit in without overpowering the group or seeming too small in a large open space. If you have a large space to fill such as above a sofa or behind a desk, you’ll need a large piece like my Fairyland Loop Finding (or commissioning) art to fit the size of the space is key to success!

Fitting In Doesn’t Mean Matching the Style

You may think that all of the artwork in a home or office has to match the same style. It doesn’t! For example, a home decorated in a traditional style or farmhouse style can still include some abstract art—but in these cases, the abstract art would serve as a pop of variation (that still matches the mood and/or color scheme). Smaller works like my Earl Grey can be welcome additions to traditionally decorated environments if they match the mood. 

If your home or office is in a contemporary style, abstract art can take a starring role, and you can include multiple pieces and large works.

Curating Your Collection is Fun and Rewarding!

You’ll find that by following these tips, you can enjoy the process of adding a little—or a lot—of abstract art to your home or office. What a great way to express your creativity! I’m always happy to speak with clients about commissions or to help them select which one of my paintings will best fit their needs. You can shop my current available work (and keep checking back as I regularly add new works of art to the site) or contact me to discuss a commission.

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Art Tip: Color Gets All the Credit, but Value Does All the Work