Real homes, real inspiration
Published on 7th March 2019 by Vanja Przulj in Home Decor
Real homes, real inspiration
Published on 7th March 2019 by Vanja Przulj in Home Decor
There’s an abundance of home decor posts these days, with tips and ideas for a beautiful home. I don’t know about you, but when I’m scrolling online, most of the homes I come across are lavish and well beyond my means. So as nice as it is to dream, I usually come away feeling uninspired as, well, a million dollar interior design project on a massive mansion just doesn’t apply to my modest flat.
In this post we’ll show you practical wall decor ideas, using real people’s homes as inspiration, so you can decorate your own place with art and get that insta-worthy look.
The good news is everything here is do-able on a budget, all it takes is a little research and inspiration, and I hope this guide can get you started.
A beautiful home filled with art. This could be you with a bit of research and inspiration - read on for practical tips and ideas you can use in your own home. (Credit: Instagram @the_wrens_nest__)
One of the easiest ways to up your interior design game, and add character to your home, is through wall art.
Art is a crucial layer in telling the story of a room. It draws the eye and just a couple of pieces can elevate a space. Plus there’s just something magical about handling and displaying a framed print that makes it all worthwhile.
I think people have this misconception that it’s really difficult, when in fact it really is not. And these days you can grab affordable prints from real artists, and fill your home with art for just a few hundred pounds/dollars while at the same time supporting independent creatives.
Further, art can be swapped out easily when you want to change the look and feel of a room, and there are lots of ways to display it as we’ll explore further in this post.
Which art you choose, size, type of display etc depends on the room, it’s size, character, existing furniture/lay out and most importantly how it’s used.
Take a good look at the wall you are going to be working on to decide which size and style art you are going to incorporate in your display. You might decide to hang just one large statement piece (this works particularly well with large walls or around focal points such as fireplaces), a pattern of smaller pieces either in a collage/gallery wall format (more on which later) or in a diptych or triptych pattern, which is basically hanging two or three similar pieces together.
For most people, the living room is where they spend the most time in, therefore it only makes sense to fill it with your favourite art. Don’t be afraid to express your interests or sense of style here!
Gallery walls are perfect for the lounge (more on GWs below). If you feel intimidated by them, just remember that you can create really simple displays with just 5-6 pieces, which are far more manageable and won’t cost the earth. Check out some of these living rooms sourced from real folk’s homes to see what I mean.
(All @ mentions refer to the respective home owners' Instagram accounts, so if you like what you see, go follow them for further inspiration!)
When it comes to the bedroom, personally I prefer minimalism, a soft palette and walls that aren’t too busy — this is where you come to unwind and sleep, after all. I’ve had really bad insomnia in the past, so my preference is for a calm and uncluttered sleeping environment.
However, as you’ll see in the examples below, you can be a lot more adventurous in the bedroom (steady...).
People will tell you it’s the most difficult room to decorate, but after seeing some of the inspiring bedrooms below, you’ll be wondering what all the fuss was about!
For most people lucky enough to have one, the dining room is either the social hub of the home or never used at all! So think about this when deciding how to decorate it. If you use this space less, but still want to style it with art, you might go for something that doesn’t require much effort, like a simple triptych in one of the examples below.
If on the other hand you use the space regularly, you might want something more dramatic, wall art that creates talking points for example, or a characterful gallery wall. Either way, here are some dining room decor ideas however you use this space.
If you use your home office/study room for creative pursuits, you might want to incorporate art that inspires you and gets the juices flowing (think typography posters for example).
On the other hand, if you often find yourself knuckling down and needing to focus, then perhaps something that won’t easily distract you is called for. In this case keep things muted and minimal.
Here are some decor ideas for however you use your study space.
It’s never too early to get the little ones into art. Whether they take to it or not, as these examples show, at least you can create a beautiful environment for them. And who knows, maybe it sparks something inside of them!
You might not want to decorate their rooms with the kind of art you like for yourself. Thankfully, there’s a plethora of artists creating art for younger people. If you’re looking for inspiration, we just happen to have a collection dedicated to children’s and nursery art.
As for styling, check out these examples for ideas.
If your room has a focal point, such as a fireplace, there’s two ways you can go. Either keep it as a focal point and incorporate art around it. Here it would be a good idea to keep the artwork and particularly the frame, a similar colour to surrounding walls to keep the focus on the fireplace/focal point.
Alternatively you could make the fireplace be a part of a bigger display. Here you would blend the fireplace into its surroundings, so it’s no longer a focal point but just another part of the overall display.
The general rule for displaying art above fireplaces is to keep the size to two thirds of the fireplace/feature so the artwork doesn’t hang over the edges. But that rule can be broken if you go for a really large statement piece that reaches all the way up to the ceiling.
Here are some fireplace decor ideas that you might like to try in your own home.
Colour can be used with great effect to set the mood or character of a room. For example, pastels can be used to create a playful feel, monochrome is great at instilling minimal elegance, browns and earthy tones are perfect for a rustic vibe and a darker palette suits an eclectic, maximalist style.
How art interacts with an interior is key, especially when we’re considering colour. Think about the other furniture in the room, its layout, lighting, the wallspace and how the art responds to each of these elements.
Don’t forget that when we’re talking about art, it’s not just the subject matter. The type of frame you choose and print finish (e.g. full bleed vs matted vs a simple white border) is equally important.
But how do you know which colours will go together? Colour wheels can help provide guidance. We’ll be publishing a separate post on this soon, but in the meantime check out this resource on BBC Homes discussing how to use the colour wheel in interior design to figure out which colours to use together.
And here are some of my favourite uses of colour found in the homes of real people that I hope can give you a bit of inspiration and guidance.
You’ve already seen some inspirational rooms which I hope have gotten your creative juices flowing. Now we’ll talk more about the specifics of displaying art in your home and the different ways you can do so, including tips on picture framing and hanging.
There are already some great resources out there showing you how to frame and hang your art. But just know that you are no longer tied to just drilling holes in your walls (if this is an issue for you, for example if you live in a rented property).
Nowadays you can use adhesive strips that are simple to use, don’t require a drill and won’t leave a mess. Meaning you can experiment with placements and arrangements without leaving holes everywhere. I recommend trying Command’s range of wall adhesives.
As you’ll see below there are also plenty of alternatives to traditional framing and hanging, including displaying your art unframed, leaning it against the wall or placing it on shelves/mantels/ledges.
One of the best ways to show off your art collection is with a gallery wall (also known as an art wall). Especially if you have a large wall to fill, though gallery walls of all sizes can work well.
E.g. if you have a small corner in your home with a little bit of empty wallspace, why not fill it with a mini gallery wall consisting of 3-5 small and mini size prints? 8x10” (20x25cm) and 11x14” (28x36cm) size prints work particularly well, though you could go even smaller.
Many people are put off creating their own gallery wall, as it can feel intimidating. But it really need not! For novices, the main thing to get over is the hanging process. So if you have never hung anything on a wall before, perhaps start by simply learning how to hang one piece to get confident with the process. Then it’s just a matter of arranging your collection and rinsing and repeating the process!
Since creating a gallery wall is an artform itself, we’ll be writing a separate more detailed post on this soon. But until then here are some key points to consider, and links to useful articles that go into more detail where our guide currently does not.
Figure out your style. Love whimsical illustrations? Have a passion for animals? First you’ll want to figure out what to include in your gallery wall. Don’t be afraid to mix different art styles with personal photos, artifacts and even children’s drawings.
Plan your arrangement.Once you know what will go in your display, plan out a gallery wall in advance prior to actually hanging anything. Place the pieces on the ground in front of the wall and play around with the arrangement until you find one that satisfies you. You could also cut out old newspapers in the size of each piece, and place on the wall with masking tape to get an even better sense of how the arrangement will look.
Start with the largest artwork first.Think about balance and symmetry when creating your gallery wall. This is best accomplished by creating a focal point with your biggest piece first. Also it’s generally best to start in the centre and work your way out. I’d recommend spacing artwork at least 3cm or 1.25 inches apart so each piece can stand out on it’s own.
Hang it at eye level. Galleries tend to hang artwork so the centre of the piece is on average 150cm/59 inches from the floor. This ensures it’s at eye level. For your gallery wall, since you’re not hanging just one piece, you’ll want to make sure the centre of your gallery display as a whole is eye level. This means there will be pieces that are nearer the floor and vice versa, but the display as a whole will be eye level.
Don’t worry about it being perfect. Some people will say all the frames need to be the same colour/style. Others will say the gallery wall needs to tie in with the rest of the room. In truth, there are no rules. Some people like a theme, others like a certain frame style or finish. But personally some of my favourite gallery walls have been eclectic af, mixing different artwork sizes, frame styles and art themes.
Have fun and don’t be afraid to experiment, and check out the examples below for even more inspo!
Can’t be bothered hanging your art? Or perhaps you live in a rented apartment and you are not allowed to drill holes into your walls?
Lean your art against the wall instead. Whether you go for one large statement piece, or group a bunch of smaller frames, either way it’s super easy to do and allows for no fuss experimentation.
Here are some awesome examples from real homes for extra inspiration...
Shelfies have been doing the rounds on Instagram and Pinterest lately, with people sharing pictures of their shelves, often full to the brim with books.
An interior design twist involves leaning small and medium sized artworks on shelves and ledges for an easy alternative to gallery walls.
No need to hang anything, and it’s really easy to refresh whenever you need a change. Check these art shelfies out for inspiration.
And there you have it. I hope you've enjoyed reading this post on how to decorate with art as much as I have enjoyed putting it together.
Will you be trying any of the ideas mentioned here? Anything we've missed you'd like to see? We'll be keeping this post regularly updated with fresh ideas, so let me know in the comments below.
And thank you to all the instagrammers for taking part, here's a full list of all accounts again so you can follow them directly for more ideas and inspiration:
Jen @the_wrens_nest__ (for gallery walls galore)
Vicki @wheelchichome (for disabled friendly interiors)
Alex @benjaminstownhouse (revamping a 2003 townhouse)
Mel @its_all_about_the_house (for all things monochrome)
Lucy @barnestowers (injecting personality into a 50s home)
Rachel @tinkywinkymauve (revamping a Victorian house in London)
Lissi @oxfordone (for all things colour)
Fran @fwhome1 (for lots of minimalist monochrome)
Niki @myscandinavianhome (for all things Scandi)
Geraldine @littlebigbell (for more styling with colour inspo)
Ellie @e.t.shown_home (renovating a house in Devon, UK)
Charlotte @_charlottesweeting_ (self professed queen of wallpaper)
Keeley @keeleytara (for monochrome style)
Nina @nijland_nina (for Scandi style)
Dee @deecampling (for chic interiors)
Sally @flower_heart_flower (for dark, edgy interiors)
Kath @pink_at_twentyone (for all things pink)
@northumberland_family_home (currently doing a self build)
Rachel @rachel_bradshaw_70 (for colour popping tips and inspo)
Jennifer @the_house_that_jen_built (for stylish interiors)
Emma @flawsomehome (for gallery walls galore)
Samantha @vintagecuratorinteriors (for vintage chic)
Sam @eclectic_street (for arty interiors)
Jess @loftnq (for loft interior inspo)
Agi @agi_at_59 (for arty displays and gallery walls)
Hannah @haveyouseenherhouse (for industrial chic)
Jen and Grant @lifeateightysix (renovating a 1890s Victorian house)
Laura @the_indigo_house (stylish, minimalist interiors and art)
Suzanne @nestandburrowuk (for rustic vibes and macrames galore)
Lou @house_of_wolf_interiors (styling with colour and pattern)
Sandra @the_idle_hands (for eccentric, vintage styling)
Katie @hello_haus (for Nordic, monochrome aesthetics)
Amy @_town_to_country_ (seasonal styling ideas)
Charlotte @my_british_home (for styling with dark walls)
Vic @vic_at_number__46 (styling with art and colour)
Laurie @lifeofaninteriorstylist (interior stylist working with clients)
Sarah @nudeandthenovice (for maximalist style)
Tamara @tlee79 (for gallery walls and art)
Jan @restyleart (artist and designer)
Lisa @_lisa_dawson_ (for epic gallery walls)
Emma @apogee_interiors (for cool, rustic vibes)
Margy @margyforshaw (interior designer at Ikea)
Amy @_onehundredandtwelve (for art and colour)
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A
20x25cm (8"x10")
B
28x35cm (11"x14")
C
30x40cm (12"x16")
D
40x50cm (16"x20")
E
50x70cm (20"x28")
F
70x100cm (28"x40")
A
20x20cm (8"x8")
B
25x25cm (10"x10")
C
30x30cm (12"x12")
D
40x40cm (16"x16")
E
50x50cm (20"x20")
F
70x70cm (28"x28")
Please note
All sizes are paper sizes (this includes our measurements for framed prints)
Minimum borders/matting (where chosen) of 1" - 2.5" (2.5cm - 6.25cm) will be added around images and will vary depending on the appropriate aspect ratio/paper size. Images are centered and 'padded' for non-standard sized images (no border will be added to Full Bleed prints). Please refer to the product images for an idea of how the art will look with the border/matting for each size.