How to integrate art into Home Decor: a guide to choosing

Art is much more than mere decoration; it's the soul of a space, an expression of your personality, and a way to create an atmosphere that envelops you and makes you feel truly at home. Too often, art is perceived as something elitist, reserved for experts or collectors.

At Cadovani, we believe that art is for everyone and that anyone can enjoy its beauty and emotional impact. In this article, we'll guide you through the wonderful world of art in interior design, offering practical advice and inspiration to choose, enhance, and integrate artworks into your home, making it an authentic reflection of your style.

Choosing Art Based on Your Home's Style

The key to successfully integrating art into your decor is to create a harmonious dialogue between the artworks and the dominant style of your home. Here are some suggestions for matching art to different interior design styles:

Modern/Contemporary Style

This style, characterized by clean lines, open spaces, and materials like metal, glass, and concrete, pairs perfectly with abstract, minimalist, and geometric artworks. Contemporary photography, with its attention to composition and the use of light, is another excellent choice. Opt for bold, contrasting colors or a more neutral palette with accents of color. Large-scale works are ideal for creating a focal point in a modern setting.

Artists like Wassily Kandinsky, Piet Mondrian, and Mark Rothko, with their bold and innovative compositions, can be a great source of inspiration. Regarding materials, thin metal frames or the absence of a frame can emphasize the modern aesthetic.

Example of abstract art in a modern living room.

Classic Style

Figurative art, portraits, still lifes, and landscapes are perfect for enriching a classic setting, characterized by important furniture, rich fabrics, and ornamental details. Choose works that evoke the elegance and refinement of this style, with a preference for warm and enveloping tones. Gilded or intricately carved wooden frames add a touch of sumptuousness.

Think of the great masters of the past, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Claude Monet, for inspiration.

Shabby Chic/Provençal Style

This style, with its romantic and relaxed atmosphere, blends beautifully with botanical prints, watercolors, floral paintings, and small ceramic sculptures. Pastel colors, delicate patterns, and slightly worn finishes create a welcoming and refined atmosphere. Artworks that evoke nature and the countryside are particularly suitable.

Industrial Style

Urban art, black and white photography, and metal sculptures integrate perfectly into an industrial setting, characterized by exposed brick, exposed pipes, and furniture in metal and raw wood. Large-scale works with a strong visual impact are ideal for this style. Consider artists like Banksy or photographers like Ansel Adams for works that capture the essence of this style.

Black and white photographs in an industrial-style room.

Scandinavian Style

The simplicity and functionality of the Scandinavian style pair well with graphic prints, minimalist abstract art, and naturalistic photography. Light colors, natural materials, and clean lines create a bright and welcoming atmosphere. Opt for artworks that reflect these values, with a preference for neutral tones and geometric patterns. Artists like Hilma af Klint or photographers like Andreas Gursky can offer interesting inspiration.

Eclectic Style

This style celebrates diversity and personality, mixing elements from different eras and styles. Art, in this context, becomes a way to express your uniqueness. The important thing is to create a common thread, which can be a color, a theme, or an emotion. Don't be afraid to juxtapose an antique painting with a modern sculpture, or an abstract photograph with a vintage design object. Harmony arises from the dialogue between the works and your ability to create a coherent and meaningful whole.

Cadovani offers a selection of unique pieces that adapt perfectly to this style, helping you create an eclectic and personal environment. For example, a natural wood frame, like those offered by Cadovani, enhances the beauty of a botanical print in a shabby chic style, adding a touch of warmth and authenticity.

Choosing Art Based on the Room

In addition to the style of the home, it's important to consider the function and atmosphere of each individual room when choosing art.

Living Room

The living room is the heart of the home, a place for meeting and relaxing. In this environment, you can dare with large-scale works, statement pieces that capture attention and become the focal point of the room. You can also create a composition of different works, choosing paintings, sculptures, and photographs that dialogue with each other.

The bedroom is an oasis of tranquility and relaxation. Choose artworks that promote rest and relaxation, with soft colors and relaxing subjects. Landscapes, delicate abstract works, or intimate portraits are perfect for this environment.

Kitchen

The kitchen is a lively and convivial environment. You can decorate it with culinary-themed prints, colorful still lifes, or artworks that stimulate appetite and creativity.

Bathroom

The bathroom is an environment often overlooked, but which can be enhanced with the right artwork. Choose works that are resistant to humidity, such as framed prints with glass or small sculptures in materials like ceramics.

Entrance

The entrance is the calling card of your home. Choose works that welcome and reflect your style. A large decorative mirror, combined with an elegant print, can create a welcoming and bright atmosphere. Cadovani offers a selection of mirrors with a refined design that can become protagonists of your entrance.

Studio/Office

The studio is an environment dedicated to concentration and creativity. Choose artworks that inspire and motivate you, such as landscapes that open the mind or abstract works that stimulate the imagination.

Hallway

The hallway can become a true art gallery. Use works of different sizes and create a composition that accompanies the gaze along the space.

Placement and Arrangement

Once you've chosen the perfect artwork, it's essential to position and arrange it correctly to enhance it to the fullest and create a harmonious environment.

Height

The general rule is to hang paintings so that the center of the work is at eye level (about 150-160 cm from the ground).

Dimensions

The size of the work should be proportional to the wall and the furniture. A work that is too small risks getting lost in a large space, while a work that is too large can be overwhelming.

Compositions

Create original compositions by combining works of different sizes, shapes, and styles. You can create a gallery wall, align the works along a horizontal line, or arrange them asymmetrically for a more dynamic effect. Cadovani offers personalized consultations to help you create your gallery wall, choosing the works and the arrangement that best suits your space.

Example of a composition of paintings on a wall.

Lighting is essential to enhance artworks. Natural light is always the best, but if it's not enough, use directional spotlights or integrated lighting to illuminate the works evenly and without creating reflections.

Sculptures

Sculptures can be placed on pedestals, shelves, coffee tables, or directly on the ground, depending on the size and style of the work. Consider the perspective from which the sculpture will be admired and make sure it is well lit.

Photographs

Photographs can be displayed in single frames, in compositions of multiple shots, or printed on canvas for a more contemporary effect. The choice of frame is important to enhance the photograph and integrate it into the style of the environment.

Where to Find Art

Finding the perfect artwork is an exciting adventure. Here are some places where you can start your search:

Art Galleries: Art galleries offer a wide selection of works by established and emerging artists. The expert staff can guide you in your choice and provide information about the work and the artist. However, prices may be higher.

Emerging Artists: Art fairs, markets, and online platforms are excellent places to discover new talents and purchase original works at more affordable prices.

Furniture Stores: Many furniture stores offer prints and reproductions of famous works, perfect for adding an artistic touch to your home without spending a fortune.

Antique Markets: Antique markets are a hidden treasure where you can find unique and historically rich vintage artworks.

Online: The internet offers a wide range of online art sales platforms and artist websites, where you can find works of all kinds and price ranges.

Budget

Art is an investment, both emotional and economic. Set a budget before you begin your search, and consider that the price of an artwork can vary considerably depending on the artist, technique, size, and provenance. There are options for all budgets, from affordable art by emerging artists to investment-grade works by established artists.

Art is an essential element of interior design, capable of transforming an anonymous space into an environment rich in personality and charm. Don't be afraid to experiment, to follow your instinct, and to choose works that excite you and represent you. Art is a personal journey, a way to express your individuality and create a home that truly resembles you.

At Cadovani, we are here to accompany you on this journey, offering inspiration, advice, and a curated selection of artworks and furnishing accessories to help you create the home of your dreams. Explore our upcoming art offerings, subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on the latest trends, and request a personalized consultation to find the perfect pieces for your style.