How to Choose Art For Each Room of Your Home

By
SARAH LYON

Updated on 12/07/22
Fact checked by
EMILY ESTEP

The Spruce / Marty Baldwin

A well-styled, welcoming home is one that is full of art in
each and every room. However, we completely
understand that choosing pieces to display throughout
your house can be a major undertaking.
To guide you through the process of selecting art for
every space in your home—from the dining room to the
bathroom—we turned to pro designers, who weigh in
below with tips and tricks. You'll have a home for
everything from that large abstract piece to those small
landscapes in no time!
Bedroom
Your bedroom is your sanctuary and therefore is the place
to get personal with art selections, designer Kendra
Nash says. "In a primary bedroom, I find clients have
strong emotional connections to their selections, and so
they are willing to invest," she notes. "Sometimes I even
commission an artist to do something special in a
bedroom."
Feel like thinking big here? Go for it, Nash encourages.
"Art is the soul of a space, so it’s not the place to cut
corners. Invest in large scale, one of a kind pieces that
make a statement."
But because the bedroom is primarily a space to relax and
unwind, pieces featured there shouldn't be too
overwhelming in design or hue. "Most people want the
bedroom to be a calm and nurturing space, so we bring
in art that has blue tones, natural colors—something that
makes you want to take a breath and curl up in bed," says
Whitney Forstner, founder of Art for the Home.
"Landscapes and soft abstracts are great in bedrooms. We
always suggest staying away from reds and oranges in a
calming space because these colors are full of energy."
Keep pillow and bedding hues top of mind when choosing
art, too, designer Diana Rose notes. "Make sure the colors
go well with your bedding and accent pillows to create a
harmonious atmosphere in the space."
Key Takeaways
 Invest in bedroom art
 Choose relaxing pieces
 Match to the colors of your bed linens and pillows

Cathie Hong Interiors

Living Room
Designer Stephanie Waskins is all about a gallery wall in
the living room and offers a few styling tips. "Consider
varying subjects such as figurative works with still lives
and landscapes," she says. "Also, be sure to vary mediums
—oils, watercolors, collage, and photography—in
different types of frames. Mixing different sizes is a key
component, but no one piece should take center stage.
Each piece should take equal importance."
The area above the sofa is an excellent place to hang a
singular, oversized piece, according to designer Paige
Gray. "Get creative with a pop of color or keep things
neutral but explore intense texture," she suggests. "High-
gloss pieces, so glass covered prints, or coated canvas for
the dining or living room really let the dimmed light
bounce around in a creative way."
Key Takeaways
 Create a gallery wall
 Think about texture

The Spruce / Marty Baldwin

Kitchen
When it comes to artwork that will be displayed in
the kitchen, keeping practical considerations top of mind
is key. "The kitchen is where you will be cooking, so stay
away from any type of glass framed art that will get
greasy," Nash states. "Canvas paintings of fruit or
landscapes are always nice in a kitchen." Waskins agrees.
"I love a framed canvas hanging adjacent to a range
hood," she says. "The juxtaposition of the hard surfaces
such as the stainless range and tile, alongside a framed oil
or watercolor painting creates just the right amount of
visual tension."
Kitchen artwork certainly doesn't need to be second tier,
though. "Fine art does not need to be confined to formal
or off-limits rooms," designer Chad Graci notes. "The
point of art, for me, is to live with it so that the pieces
enhance and elevate your day to day." So if you love a
piece and want to ensure it receives the attention it
deserves, placing it in your dining nook may be the way
to go. "One of my most important pieces simply hangs in
my kitchen, across from the island where I have coffee
and breakfast each morning," Graci shares. "I love seeing
it in the morning light."
Rose offers one more key tip when it comes to kitchen
artwork. "Range hoods usually are the main focal points
in kitchens, so don’t choose loud art that will compete
with yours," she comments. "Choose small frames with
muted colors and abstract painting that complement the
overall palette of the kitchen."
Key Takeaways
  Be practical about mess
 Go for playful
 Choose small frames and muted colors

Jane Beiles for JK Interior Living

Dining Room
Whether you use your dining room every day or once a
month doesn't matter; this is the space in which to really
get loud and colorful, according to Nash. "A dining room
is always my favorite room to design because you can go
bold there, with furnishings and art," she explains. "It's
typically contained and can act as the jewel box of the
home. I like to take risks in a dining area with oversized
art, striking colors, bold graphics, and various mediums of
art."
Rose agrees. "Pieces hould be interesting enough as a
conversation-starter, such as 3D art or something
handmade, elaborate, and magical! The frame of
the art piece is also quite important, and should not be
plain."
And if you wish to have some fun with sculptural pieces,
by all means, go for it, Gray shares. "Sculptural pieces are
so fun. Get beyond the traditional framing styles and mix
it up with beautiful 3D sculptures on your walls," she
suggests. "These really bring the eye in and create lovely
dialogue for those dinner parties."
Key Takeaways
 Go bold
 Pick conversation starters
 Make sculptural choices

Calimia Design
Bathroom
The bathroom is more than just a utilitarian space; it
should also be aesthetically pleasing! When it comes to
the bathroom, selecting imagery with relaxing qualities is
key, Nash notes. "I encourage my clients to pick
something soothing and tranquil," she says. "Personally I
love a good tub soak, I want to feel like I am at a spa.
Overall serene tones and motifs are pleasing for that
peaceful moment."
A bathroom can be a great place for works that are special
but on the smaller end, designer Kim Armstrong notes.
"Art is truly appropriate for any room in your house!"
But if you feel like thinking a bit outside the box that's ok,
too. "Bathrooms are a place to get quirky, guests love to
snoop artwork in bathrooms," Gray explains. "Find
unique statement pieces that reflect your personal style,
antiques that have been shadow-boxed, collected pieces
from your travels, or artwork that makes your head tilt in
thought a bit." Abstract works can be wonderful, too,
designer Lauren Lerner notes. "Generally, a 24 inch piece
of art fits perfectly over the toilet space and balances a
wall where you have a vanity and a toilet on the same
wall."
Key Takeaways
 Go for soothing pieces
  A good spot for small art
 Quirky pieces welcome

The Spruce / Marty Baldwin

Workspace
Have a home office that you utilize every day? You're
most definitely not alone; the function of the study has
changed greatly in recent years, with more and more
employees working from home. "Office spaces are
usually where family photographs reside," Waskins notes.
"But, now that so many people are working from home
we have been asked to help curate art that will appeal to
viewers during [video] meetings, essentially de-
personalizing the areas that are visible."
Need a dose of motivation while you work? Bring it on,
Waskins says. "In general, the office is a place to display
inspirational pieces. We have even customized favorite
quotes in the front of wall mounted neon signs!"
And because work can no doubt be stressful, opting for
images that bring in a sense of calm can also be
beneficial, Gray notes. "Think of pieces that really give
your mind space to rest: large prints of outdoor spaces,
seascapes, or abstracts with naturally occurring
colors found in nature," she suggests. Rose adds that large
black and white photographs are also a smart choice for
the home office. "Think photos of architecture or bridges,
or strong animals, such as horses or lions," she says.
"They look striking and formal at the same time."
Key Takeaways
 Let your art represent you well
 Motivate yourself
 Pieces that give you a sense of calm and power

INDUSTRY INSIGHT: Art in hotels – an accessory or a

necessity?

As the industry prepares to makes its grand return,

there’s a debate forming around art’s vital role in
meaningful interior design in hospitality. Hotel
Designs asks the consultants at Portobello Art to
investigate…
Art has always been present in hotels, but the role of art
has evolved hugely over the last 20 years, possibly more
so than any other element of hotel design.

In the 1990s and early 2000s hotel guests would see the
same uninspired art of flower paintings and landscapes
again and again in hotels all over the country. But the
main reason for this wasn’t just the brands – it was also
the technology.
It was poster artwork, where everything was on paper and
what you saw is exactly what you got. The sole
technology available 20 years ago was to buy cheap,
mass-produced art from poster catalogues which were
printed using offset lithography. Designers, chains and
franchises would literally have to choose their images
from the dozens of catalogues that were available to
everybody, then hang them in nondescript frames.
But now, thanks to the digital revolution, printing pictures
and customising them, is now so much more accessible.
You can create any image in any colour, any size and you
can print them on to a wide variety of materials. This has
given hoteliers far more options for choosing artwork and
tailoring it to fit their brand and location.
Art is no longer used as an accessory, nor as a way of
following protocol for typical hotel design, but as a way
of evoking emotion, playing a significant role in
promoting the unique identity of a hotel and is recognised
as being a key component of creating the feel and
atmosphere and bringing colour, vitality and inspiration to
all environments.
Something Angela Rawson, Director of AJ&Co Interior
Design, with whom we’ve worked on several projects,
wholeheartedly agrees. “The trend for personalisation,
authenticity and a unique experience within hotel interior
design is here to stay,” she says. “Hotels strive to create a
sense of place for their guests to immerse themselves in
local history, culture, and heritage. Visual art and curated
pieces not only play a huge part in conveying this
personalisation through the interior design but can add
statement and talking point – whether it is literal or
abstracted interpretation.
“Considered artwork enriches the personality and
ambiance of a space and ties together the design narrative
and interior design.”
So what kind of artwork can we expect to see?
Framed Prints are still very popular but with the help of
digital enhancement even a group of framed images can
mean so much more than a couple of pictures hanging on
a wall as they used to be years ago. The framed images
above were all created from different sized local images
(of Edinburgh), enlarged, then close up details were
cropped out, all resized to the same size and framed in the
same simple style to create an interesting but uniform
collection of prints.
At Portobello, almost every hotel project is for bespoke
products and the style is different every time. Usually
hoteliers or hotel designers will have a concept in mind
with a particular theme, but it varies greatly depending on
the hotel size, style and location. Generally we will
advise on what sort of artwork would work best to create
the right look and ambience in that particular hotel,
whether it be for framed or canvas prints, mirrors, digital
wallpaper or bric-a-brac.
There will usually be either a theme or colour scheme that
would need to be adhered to and as art consultants,
Portobello have access to literally millions of images from
online image banks and we are happy to source these for
you and with our technical expertise and in-house design
capabilities we can then adapt any image to fit your
individual requirements.
A prime example of this was a project for the Cigar room
at 10 Manchester Street, London, where the designer
wanted a gallery wall of cigar smoking celebrities which
we suggested should be oil paintings rather than framed
prints. So we asked our in-house artists for their own
interpretation and were delighted with the overall effect.
Image credit: Bespoke Hotels – No. Ten Manchester
Street/Portobello Art
Artwork must not only have relevance to the hotel’s
design and location but must also be fun and memorable,
tell a story and therefore make their hotel stand out from
the crowd.
Digitally printed wallpaper has been popular for years for
feature walls in open spaces, but one-piece wallpaper has
gone a step further. This eradicates any previous issues,
such as joining intrinsic designs seamlessly, as the ‘One
Piece’ covers expansive areas eliminating the need for
seams. There have always been some limitations with
certain designs and images (like maps and faces) where
the joins are notoriously difficult to match up but with one
piece wallpaper the image is printed seamlessly up to five
metres high and almost any width imaginable! This has
now given us the ability to create enormous collages
made up of numerous individual images which was not
previously possible with normal digitally printed
wallpaper.
One example which illustrates this is the Holiday Inn in
Liverpool where they wanted to add some interest to a
huge blank wall in the restaurant. This was great fun to
create, first sourcing all the separate images, in a
Liverpudlian theme of course, and then merging them all
together to create a dramatic collage.

Image credit: Holiday Inn/Portobello Art

Visual art in hotels and their public spaces influences a
visitor’s first impressions, and sets the tone for the rest of
the hotel. Artwork isn’t just what hangs on the walls but
also the Bric-a-brac (decorative accessories) displayed
around the open spaces. One of the biggest trends over the
last few years has been in hotel lobbies where it is no
longer just a place for arrivals and departures. IHG’s
introduction in 2013 of the Open Lobby Concept has
created a flexible environment were guests can eat, drink,
work, meet, relax, socialise and have fun in one integrated
space.
Portobello is delighted to have been involved in IHG’s
concept from the beginning and have provided artwork
and bric-a-brac for many Holiday Inns over the last few
years and indeed, as this trend has taken hold, to other
hotel chains who are also embracing the concept as well.

Image credit: Holiday Inn/Portobello Art

Can a hotel be updated / refurbished by changing the
artwork alone?
As a hotel owner or manager, you might dread the idea of
going through a renovation. After all, it’s a huge expense
— one that often requires you to scale back operations for
a period of time and all of the work can be an
inconvenience to your guests, which in turn can have an
impact on future business.
However, simply avoiding renovations isn’t a wise
choice, since it can diminish the attraction and value of
your property.
So updating the artwork every 2 or 3 years, with a new
coat of paint on the walls, could definitely give a
refreshing lift to a hotel without going through the
upheaval of a full renovation and replacing all the
furniture, carpets and wallcoverings etc.
Certainly for bedrooms or corridors this is entirely
possible. Normally the standard bedroom artwork will be
fairly understated so designers often have one large piece
of artwork above the bed, and these could easily be
changed every few years.
Image credit: Holiday Inn/Portobello Art
It would be a bit more challenging in the lobby and
reception areas where something more dramatic and
memorable is needed to create that real WOW factor but
as long as existing artwork can be replaced with a new
image that compliments the existing décor.
This can be seen in the images below where we provided
artwork for two very different hotels. The ultra-modern
Holiday Inn in the centre of Bristol wanted a local image
so we suggested having a black and white image of
Brunel’s S.S. Great Britain, and created it as a huge
picture on multiple tiled canvas prints. It certainly
brought some drama to the contemporary reception area.
And for The Langley, a luxurious 18th century manor
house in Buckinghamshire, it had to be original paintings
showing the opulence and timeless luxury of elegant
country living.

Image credit: Holiday Inn/Portobello Art and The

Langley, Marriott/Portobello Art
There has always been artwork on display in hotels but in
the last 10 years art has become very on trend and in some
cases is almost used as therapy; it can help inspire,
console, comfort and reawaken us, and is necessary to
create these emotions and lure the guest into the whole
experience. Various scientific studies show that when
looking at a beautiful art piece, you feel better, so it helps
in uplifting the mood of the guests and making them feel
at ease in that perfectly designed space.
Another designer we’ve done work for, Joanna Knight of
J K Interiors, reinforces this. “The use of artwork in
hospitality interiors is absolutely integral to the interior
scheme,” she explains. “It can pull a whole scheme
together, convey a deeper meaning to the guest, and
invoke an emotional response that comforts, excites or
stirs the inquisitive mind.
“Whatever feeling the designer is trying to elicit, can be
reinforced or enhanced by the use of appropriate artwork.
Conversely, poorly thought through and executed artwork
can leave the guest feeling ‘flat’ and underwhelmed –
which in turn can colour their judgement of the hospitality
space and the time they want to spend in it.”
From boutique hotels to international chains all hotels will
usually remain faithful to their brand image, simply
because brand matters more than anything else in the
hospitality industry. Guests will often choose the same
hotel chain because they like the “feel” of it. Every aspect
of the decor, including the art, needs to provide that
comforting familiarity.
While artwork may not always be the first thing guests
notice when they walk into a hotel, it can certainly make a
big impact on the overall design and feel. When done
right, artwork can be the focal point of any hotel lobby or
guestroom,
Art for Healing in Hospitals
Today, the most common ailment faced by any normal
human being is stess. Lifestyle disorders has become
more predominant than any other form of illness, which
in turn has led to major life-threatening illness. Most
common prescription remains de-stressing oneself. The
topic that follows shall focus on some simpler ways of
de-stressing. The subject being vast, we shall restrict it to
healthcare environment.
De-stressing being the focus, the art of healing has taken
the center-stage in every healthcare facility. In which so
ever the format and quantum, every healthcare facility
attempts an ambience that adds to the healing factor.
The stay of patients in given healthcare facility is usually
associated with anxiety and insecurity. These are further
linked with physical, psychological and social aspects of
the patient. Addressing these issues can positively
contribute to the recovery and healing of the patient. Not
only will it reduce the stress but also stimulate the self-
recovering ability of the patient.
An architectural ambience can be created with many
elements – use of light (natural or artificial), color
scheme of adjacencies, use of the material, use of
accessories such as art and artifacts, sculptures etc.
besides the basic dimension of the given space. All this
remain as visual elements if and when gets
complemented with audial elements, it creates a serene
environment within the given space.
AMBIENCE

Every patient that enters any healthcare environment

holds some anxiety and/or preconceived fear that
converts their experience depressingly unforgettable. To
avoid this and reduce stress levels experienced by an
already ailing patient, a good ambience can help the
patient forget their fears and anxieties. Normally, the
patient spends more time outside or with others than
actually meeting the doctor; this necessitates that the
ambience of the rest of the spaces need to soothing and
calm.
LIGHT

Nothing can challenge the healing potential of Natural

Light within a given space. It not only controls the
biological clock of every individual but also enhances the
positive energy from the space. A naturally well-lit space
can be a boon and should be made mandatory that every
patient touch-point within a given healthcare facility
should have generous amount of natural light as looking
at nature and natural elements calms the anxiety levels
within the individual.
COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT

Comfortable environment within any healthcare facility

from a patient perspective can be divided into
psychological as well as physical facet. As the topic
relates to the physical facet for the healing environment,
we focus on the following
MATERIALS

Softer materials are advised to avoid major injuries in

case of accidental fall within the facility. Every material
on the vertical surfaces should be void of sharp edges.
Brittle material should be avoided to protect patient
safety.
COLOR

Color plays the most important role in building up the

ambience of every space and healthcare facility is no
exception to this rule. Colors have strong impact on
every individual’s emotions and hence the application of
color must be designed taking into account its context.
Colors should also be selected keeping in mind the use of
the space. For example, red is a strong color but if used
in right proportions shall boost motivation and
confidence and can help in treating depression and
introversion but has to be avoided in the areas of where
patient could aggravate anger and irritability. Similarly,
yellow if used in right proportions can help in mental
stimulation and uplifting of mood hence could be used
for treating depression and fatigue but should be avoided
in case of treating insomnia or hyperactivity. Blue and
Green are associated with nature to their maximum (Blue
symbolizes Water and Green symbolizes plants) and
hence are considered safer colors, as they tend to
generate balance and harmony, stimulate calmness and
relaxation hence can be used for de-stressing to the
maximum. There are many more colors in the palate and
all have their own significance, strengths and weakness
that influence the human mind. Every mind differs and
hence the emotions associated with colors differ per
gender, age, culture, religion, geographical conditions
etc.
ARTWORKS

Nothing is more sickening than watching a blank wall

and wait for a doctor. Hence creating a healing
environment extends beyond the elimination of boredom.
Multiple evidence shares the secret of accelerated patient
healing with introduction of artworks in the healthcare
environment.
It is important to strike a chord that shall balance the
expenditure on aesthetics especially when healthcare
expenses are already high. Yet, many have adopted this
and have transformed the once considered cold sterile
spaces into contemporary art destination.
While it is becoming increasingly common to use
artworks to distract patients from their pain or stress,
selecting and installing an artwork is equally important to
impart positive effects. Installing an artwork involving
nature has always occupied a premium place while
selecting the artworks. Patient respond to nature very
easily compared to any urban environment, people,
architectural, abstract or wild life images.
It is important to strike a chord that shall balance the
expenditure on aesthetics especially when healthcare
expenses are already high. Yet, many have adopted this
and have transformed the once considered cold sterile
spaces into contemporary art destination.
While it is becoming increasingly common to use
artworks to distract patients from their pain or stress,
selecting and installing an artwork is equally important to
impart positive effects. Installing an artwork involving
nature has always occupied a premium place while
selecting the artworks. Patient respond to nature very
easily compared to any urban environment, people,
architectural, abstract or wild life images.
Further to this, non-turbulent waterscapes, garden
landscape with open foreground, trees with broader
canopies, fresh, familiar and healthy flowers, Figurative
art (be it human or animals) should be in leisure mode
with emotionally positive faces.
Size, placement and spatial relationships of the artwork
too need to follow certain guidelines
 Appropriate location of installation to be within the
sight of patient. For example, Diagnostic procedures
like MRI and CT Scan on a patient lying on their
back for prolonged period; art on the ceiling to fill
the patient’s view is advisable.
  The emotions of the patient within the given area
should be taken into consideration; for example,
gender, age, and ethnicity.
 Evaluating the unique needs of the kind of patients
who will view the artwork. For example, art for
pediatric care may differ from art for palliative care.
 It is risky to place in a hospital art that has negative
suggestions, as patients being already in a negative
emotional state, are likely to respond in a negative
manner to art that they cannot understand or that
contains negative images or icons.
 Similarly, it would be inappropriate to use images of
water where many procedures warrant patient’s
bladder full or using any sketchy images in areas
where patients experience visual challenge or food
images in an area where patient could possibly be
fasting.
 All of the above do not require any study but only
sensitivity towards the specific patient needs.
An art program has to be devised targeting the following
goals
Encouraging positive changes in clinical outcome of the
patient. Relieve stresses associated within the healthcare
environment. Accommodate needs of special patient
populations Reflect overall standard of excellence.
MUSIC

The sense of hearing is the only sense not muted even in

an anaesthetized patient.

Common sound experienced in the healthcare facility is

either of some clinical emergency announcements,
movement of trolleys or beeps of the machines. This adds
to the agonies of the already stressed patient. Hence it is
important to substitute these sounds with sound of live
music that shall accelerate the de-stressing potential
within the patient. The sound of flowing water or any
live instrument such as piano or violin being played, shall
elevate the ambience, and heal the pain by reducing
stress levels.
In a nutshell, art in any form, be it color, decorative
accessories in form of artworks and artifacts or non-
tangible yet healing sound of music can create positive
distractions in every healthcare environment. Artworks
can either be digital or in print. The target audience for
de-stressing is not restrictive to patients, but also their
attendants and the caregivers.
Role of Art in the Hospitality Industry
Art has always been leveraged across the hospitality sector as a sound marketing ..