By Alexandra Guglielmino
Moving is an adventure, whether you’re settling into your first apartment or finally unlocking the door to your dream home. But after the excitement fades, you might be left staring at a series of bare walls, and wondering how to turn them into something that feels like home.
Fortunately, there are plenty of creative ways to use art to personalise your home and turn empty spaces into eye-catching features that show off your tastes and make your space more inviting.
From large-scale pieces to gallery hangs, art is an effective way to inject colour and texture to your space. And after the expense of moving, the best part is that there are ways to incorporate it without breaking the bank.
Here are some valuable tips on how art can be a fresh start for a blank space in a new home.
Create a focal point
Opting to go big with your art makes a bold statement. Hang a large painting, photograph, or sculpture on one of the walls to draw the eye and add visual interest to your space.
Pairing your artwork with a feature pendant light that creates mood lighting will help centre the room while adding to its style elevation. This approach works beautifully in living rooms, dining areas, or even bedrooms, where art and lighting come together to create a balanced and stylish environment that reflects your personal taste.
Build a gallery wall
Curating a gallery wall is a great way to personalise your new space. It brings an element of flexibility to your home styling. You can add to or update your gallery wall as your tastes evolve over time and it allows you to reflect a broad range of interests. It’s also a great conversation starter with guests.
Selecting the right pieces for your gallery wall can take time. What resonates with you and reflects aspects of your personality? Paintings, prints, and photographs work well for gallery hangs – don’t be afraid to mix and match different styles and mediums for a dynamic look.
Create a display area
Another way to decorate a space is by adding new surfaces and creating dedicated display areas for smaller art pieces, sculptures and collectibles. You can get creative by using fireplace mantles, bookcases, buffet tables, or open shelving and wall cabinets (these offer the added benefit of extra storage).
Shelves are also a perfect solution when a favourite artwork is too small or heavy for a renter-friendly wall mount. You can curate your art alongside decorative items like dishes, vases, and plants, creating an arrangement that achieves a beautifully styled look.
Utilise existing decor
When choosing artwork for your new walls, it’s also important to consider the theme and style of the overall space.
If you are focused on creating a particular interior look, use this to guide your artwork choices, ensuring they are in harmony with your existing decor. For example, if you’re after a modern, minimalist look, browse online galleries like Bluethumb for monochromatic artwork with clean lines and well-balanced negative space. Use the style as a base, accentuating it with well-chosen artwork and other styling pieces.
Display art temporarily
If you’re a renter, don’t be put off displaying art for fear of upsetting the landlord. There are plenty of simple tricks and hacks to inject life into a new space without leaving a permanent mark.
Display lightweight artwork with command strips and lean heavier works against walls or shelves – this means they can also be easily moved when you redecorate or reorganise your space. Similarly, sculptures and ceramics work well for bare shelves and entryway tables needing character. Sculptures can often be repurposed as vases, making them a particularly appealing decor choice.
Another way to mimic a gallery installation in your new space is to suspend framed pieces with wire, rope, or ribbon from existing hooks or railings.
Alexandra Guglielmino is Head of Art Advisory for online gallery Bluethumb.
