Transform Your Space: 7 Unique & Exciting Ways to Style Framed Art Room
Whether you’re decorating a brand-new room or looking to refresh and revive one you’ve grown tired of, we believe framed artwork is the key to making any space feel instantly more exciting, more stylish, and more personal to you. From impactful, hand-painted canvases that fill an entire wall to carefully curated gallery walls that define your personality and decor style in one, we’ve put together the definitive list of all the most creative ways to incorporate framed artwork into every room of your home.
Why Choose Framed Art?
First things first, let’s talk about why framed artwork is such a crucial part of any room design. Firstly, you can pick out the most beautiful paint color or wallpaper, but if the walls are left blank after that, rooms can often feel cold and impersonal. After all, anyone can slick paint on the walls and there are only so many colors to choose from. Plus, most of us end up with similar shades on the walls throughout our homes. It’s the artwork we add to it afterward that makes the space feel unique and like a home.
And why specifically framed artwork? Well, prints without a frame can look a little too dorm-room-esque for a grown-up space. Photographs belong in an album or a frame unless, maybe they’re on the fridge. And canvases sans frames can appear unfinished but look instantly elevated and more expensive when housed in the perfect frame.
Always Pay Attention To The Frame
Understandably, when choosing pieces for your home, you’ll be focusing on the artwork itself. Are you looking for a wall-sized canvas to add impact to a large sitting room or entryway? Are you putting together a gallery wall of artsy photographs to give ambiance to your bedroom? Is your kitchen in need of playful word art to accessorize and uplift the space? The decision is yours but we have a simple tip that will make your chosen artwork look ten times more impressive. Don’t neglect the frame.
Yes, your artwork might look okay in any old frame you have lying around, and if it’s between that and no frame at all, we certainly encourage you to use what you have. However, if you want to help your pieces truly shine, the right frame, chosen especially for the artwork in question will make a world of difference.
How To Pick The Right Color Frame
Start by looking at the colors within the piece. Are they vibrant neon shades? Are they softer hints of pastel? Or, is the artwork made up of black and white tones only? Once you’ve identified that, try to, not necessarily match, but compliment the artwork with the frame.
Black and white pieces look incredible in coordinating black or white frames. It gives the piece purpose and retains the integrity of its simplicity. However, if you’re looking to make it look and feel more expensive or elevated, a gold or silver frame is an excellent choice. Simple styles are great for modern homes and apartments with contemporary decor, whereas traditional homes often suit frames with elaborate baroque detailing or an antiqued finish.
Meanwhile, colorful artwork can be a little harder to master when it comes to frames. You want the frame to work in harmony with the piece without drawing attention away from the colors and patterns within it. Luckily you have multiple options.
First of all, when you want the piece to draw focus and add energy to a room, consider a colorful frame. Identify one of the shades within the piece and track down a frame to match.
If you want the art to do all the talking but need a frame to ground it, wooden finishes are our go-to. Think about which type of wood will compliment the vibe of the artwork best. Earthy-toned work looks great in dark wood finishes like walnut. Especially for cozy living room spaces with a dark and moody color palette. Meanwhile, lighter woods like oak will perfectly complement lighter pieces. They also thrive in spaces where you want to hone a lighter and brighter atmosphere such as the bathroom or kitchen.
So, consider the piece, the existing room decor and color palette, and what you want the artwork to convey. This should provide you with a great jumping-off point for choosing the right color and finish for your fame.
How Important Is The Thickness Of The Frame?
A seemingly complicated question with a simple answer – very.
Remember, you want to enhance the artwork not take over it. A frame that’s too thick can detract from the intricacies of the pieces. Alternatively, if you opt for a frame that’s too thin, you might as well not have one at all.
So what do you do? It’s all about finding balance. Look at the size and style of the piece and find a frame that doesn’t detract but instead showcases the work.
All that said, the size of the art doesn’t always determine the ‘correct’ thickness of the frame. Sometimes, frames are used to intentionally contrast the artwork inside and become part of the piece itself. For example, a delicate metal heart on a canvas backing will look much more impactful and intentionally styled if it’s housed within a thick, black wooden box frame instead of a thin metal one.
Consider multiple thicknesses and colorways before deciding on the frame that works best. Not only for the artwork but also for the space where it’s going to hang. There’s no rush, and when you get it right, the frame will be the finishing touch that makes the artwork sing.
How To Choose Framed Art For Each Room In Your Home
From the number of rooms we have to how we choose to decorate, it’s safe to say that every residence is different. For some, home is a cozy studio apartment, for others, it’s a three-story ten-bed mansion.
Therefore, it’s no surprise that both the artwork we gravitate towards and what works functionally and aesthetically in our homes are completely different too. With that in mind, don’t be afraid to choose framed pieces that speak to you. You’ll be the one looking at them each day and only you know the vibe you want to create within each room of your home.
Once you’ve chosen the artwork itself, you’ll need to think about where and how to style it.
Unique Ways To Incorporate & Style Framed Art In Any Space
Now that you have the tools to choose your artwork and select the perfect frame, let’s take a look at all of the creative ways you can style framed art in any room. And yes, these ideas may be unique and sometimes playful, but they’re also incredibly chic and will make the rooms in your home feel instantly more special.
Go With An Unexpected Art Style
Everyone expects to see framed coffee slogans in the kitchen and black and white wedding snaps above the bed. There’s nothing wrong with these ideas and, of course, they can look quite beautiful. However, if you’re looking to make an impact in your home and do something a little different, try adding artwork to the space that doesn’t necessarily ‘go’.
Charming framed animal prints in the entryway, a vibrant canvas in the bathroom, or maybe even a stylized black and white movie poster framed in the kitchen. The opportunities are endless, and having fun with framed artwork and expressing yourself is what makes it so exciting and worthwhile. It’s also what makes your home and design style feel uniquely yours.
Keep Things Symmetrical
If you’re more about clean lines and classically calm spaces, symmetrically placed artwork can have a truly soothing effect on the decor and your mood. For example, try a pair of coordinating prints framed a small distance apart in the hallway or a set of three images equally spaced along the wall in your living room. The symmetry of the frames and the images themselves will work beautifully with traditional and timeless decor in a way that feels intentional and calm.
Mix and Match Your Frames
On the flip side, mixing up the sizes and colors of the frames you use to display your art can be an expressive way to create texture and intrigue within any given space. If the room can take it, brightly colored frames and equally vibrant artwork can be truly uplifting. This works especially well in playrooms, children’s bedrooms, and powder rooms. Alternatively, when you have a color palette to stick to, try frames all in the same colorway but in different sizes, finishes, and thicknesses. This will add dimension and character to your walls without feeling too out there.
Create A Gallery Wall
When you have all the artwork but can’t decide where to display it, consider styling a gallery wall. Lay the framed pieces out on the floor to get an idea of how they fit together best, then hang multiple pieces in your chosen configuration. It’s not exactly a new idea, we know, but it is one that makes any room feel eternally welcoming and full of personality.
Picture Ledges
If you love the classic look, go ahead and hang your framed art right there on the walls. However, if you’re looking for a display technique with a more modern twist, try a picture ledge instead. This chic alternative not only looks incredibly stylish, but it also means you can switch out your artwork with ease as often as you like. Perfect for renters or those who simply have a hard time deciding on just one piece of art.
Hang Artwork In Unexpected Places
Much like the idea that certain styles of artwork usually end up in certain rooms, artwork is usually displayed in all the same places within our homes. Over the mantle, over the bed, diagonally down the stairs, we’ve seen it all before. So, why not try something new and unexpected? Need an example? Play with height and hang a picture a little lower on the wall than usual. It’ll create a visually interesting focal point and give the space a decidedly designer edge. Or, hang artwork behind a door that only gets opened every so often. It’s sure to draw a smile when discovered but will also make your space feel playful and alive when only you know what’s hidden there.
Don’t Hang It
No, we’re not suggesting you leave your prized framed artwork in the attic collecting dust. This tip is actually about displaying artwork without the need for nails and hooks. Try leaning a large framed painting on a console table or mantle piece, or, even on the floor near a standing lamp or large potted plant. This modern way of displaying framed pieces feels beautifully informal, and yet, never fails to look purposefully styled. Ideal for cozy homes and apartments and, once again, a game changer for renters who can’t or don’t wish to make holes in the walls to display their favorite pieces.
How To Choose Framed Art For Your Business
Whether you run a cafe, corporate office space, or a brick-and-mortar store, framed art can play a pivotal role in your business. Yes, it looks beautiful and will make the space more aesthetically pleasing, but we’re talking about something a little deeper than that.
Art speaks to people, it makes them feel something. If you can get somebody to walk into your cafe and feel cozy enough to grab a coffee and take a seat, framed artwork is worth choosing and choosing carefully, If the artwork on the walls of your office creates a feeling of aspiration and makes people feel inspired every day, they’ll work happier and more efficiently. So, much the same as choosing artwork for your home, think about how you want the space to feel and the atmosphere you’re trying to create. Do this and your framed pieces will practically choose themselves.
