Using art thoughtfully is one of the most effective ways to elevate your home and make it feel truly personal. But knowing how to incorporate art like a designer can be tricky - from choosing the right scale to mixing styles and mediums. Drawing on my experience as an interior stylist and designer, I’m sharing five practical tips to help you create an artfully edited home.
1. GO BIG & BOLD
Styling a room with an oversized artwork, whether above a sofa or on a large empty wall, creates an instant focal point and balanced your furniture arrangement. Large-scale pieces often feel more intentional and impactful than art that’s too small for the space. And it doesn’t have to be a traditional painting; materials like metal or tapestry can pack just as much punch when used thoughtfully.
2. MIX STYLES & MEDIUMS
Incorporating different art forms, such as paintings, prints, textiles and photography, add depth and interest to your walls. Gallery walls are a great way to showcase this approach. When curated with a mix of frame styles, sizes, and mediums, they become dynamic, personal displays of treasured pieces.
3. THINK BEYOND THE OBVIOUS
Art isn’t just for living rooms and bedrooms. Bathrooms, kitchens and hallways are perfect spots to introduce art and objects that add warmth and personality. A cluster of small prints in a bathroom or a ceramic piece on a kitchen shelf can soften spaces and make them feel uniquely yours.
4. INCORPORATE SCULPTURAL ELEMENTS
Not all art needs to hang on the wall. Sculptural touches, like uniquely shaped ceramics, sculptures, lighting or furniture, can act as functional artworks in your home. These pieces add depth, dimension and character, creating a curated aesthetic which wall art can't achieve alone.
5. CREATE ARTFUL VIGNETTES
Small groupings of art alongside books, ceramics, and personal, meaningful objects create intimate, layered vignettes. Styling shelves, mantels, or side tables with a thoughtful mix of art and collectibles turns everyday surfaces into curated moments that invite discovery.
Art is one of the most powerful tools to express your personality and bring character into your home. Whether it’s a bold oversized piece, a thoughtfully curated mix of mediums, or an unexpected sculptural element, the way you incorporate art should feel intentional and reflective of you.
For more styling and design tips, you can sign up to my newsletter or order my new book CURATED STYLE: Artfully Edited Homes here.
Image credits:
Kerrie-Ann Jones, OME Dezin, Shade Degges, Montana Labelle, Patrick Biller, CLO Studios, Alicia Taylor, Tigmi Trading, Parker Studio and Jacqui Turk.
