How to Choose Original Artwork for a Modern Home: A Collector’s Guide

Original art for a modern home can transform a space feel more character, emotion, and individuality. Furniture sets the scene; artwork sets the tone. It can add color, movement, texture, and ideas, and can be a reflection of your personal taste.

However, it is challenging for new collectors to decide on an original piece. So many styles, subjects, sizes, and mediums- where do you start?

The key to the answer is to know your space, to find what really interests you, and to select art that will continue to inspire you over time.

Start With Your Personal Connection to Art

The basic rule of collecting original artwork is to select something that resonates with you. Things can change rapidly. Your relationship with a specific work of art can be a much longer one. So, think about how you feel first before you decide if a piece will match your curtains or furniture.

Ask yourself:

• Does this artwork make me stop and look?
• What feelings does it evoke?
• Does the subject interest me?
• Can I imagine enjoying it for years?
• Does it remind me of a place, experience, or idea?

A meaningful artwork can be a part of your home’s story. It could be a memory of nature, travel, a certain time period in your life, or a concept that you are still interested in.

Consider Your Home’s Architecture and Interior Style

Clean lines, open spaces, neutral colors, and selected materials are common elements found in modern homes. These spaces can be made warm and individual with the use of original art. Your artwork, however, doesn’t have to be a perfect match for your décor.

In fact, contrast can actually produce a fascinating visual relationship. Organic paintings can help to soften a room that has a lot of straight lines in the architecture. Likewise, a monochromatic drawing can enhance a colorful interior.

Before purchasing, consider:

• Wall dimensions
• Ceiling height

• Natural and artificial lighting
• Existing furniture
• Dominant colors
• Architectural features
• Viewing distance

Take a picture of the desired wall and think about how art will relate to the other elements.

Think About Scale Before You Buy

When it comes to original artwork for a contemporary home, size is a key factor. A small piece of art can get lost on a large wall. On the other hand, a large piece can make a small room feel cluttered.

Before buying, check the amount of wall space available. Next, look at the furniture under or near the painting. For instance, if there is a sofa, the art above it is often best to choose something similar in size to the sofa. Smaller pieces, on the other hand, can help to achieve a more intimate atmosphere in hallways, bedrooms, reading rooms, or personal offices.

Alternatively, you can make a collection from a number of smaller pieces. This way, various works of art will interact with each other and give a curated look.

Explore Different Artistic Mediums

There are a variety of forms of original artwork. Trying out various media can give you an idea of what suits your home and collection best.

• Paintings

Paintings can instantly draw the attention of the viewer. Color, movement and depth can be added to abstract, figurative and nature-inspired compositions.

• Drawings

Line, gesture, texture and detail are frequently the focus of drawings. They can help to produce a more intimate and quieter visual experience.

• Works on Paper

Works on paper can offer another avenue for the collector to experience an artist’s creative process. They are great for use in framed wall displays.

• Sculpture

Sculpture adds in three-dimensional presence. It can respond to light and space in varying ways throughout the day.

Working in several mediums can also lead you to find out which artistic techniques are the most personal to you.

Look Beyond Conventional Subjects

Modern art need not depict familiar objects in predictable ways. Today’s artists often take commonplace objects and view them from a fresh angle. Nature can be a source of modern expression, for instance.

New York City–based artist Mary Hrbacek explores the subtle interdependence between human and natural anatomies. In her Nature paintings and drawings, she morphs tree limbs, bark surfaces, and organic textures into hybrid figures.

These forms are in between species, time, and transformation. This means that what is familiar can become unfamiliar and what is unfamiliar can become familiar.

In a contemporary home, this kind of art can be particularly engaging, as it invites viewers to consider more than just a literal depiction.

Research the Artist and Their Practice

Original artwork is also a way to find out about the person who created it. Take time to learn about the artist’s biography, process, subject matter, exhibitions, and artwork. It is important to have an understanding of an artist’s concept to appreciate a piece.

One might also find parallels between work. You may find a painting that grabs your attention and then find it even more interesting when you discover the inspiration behind it. This information can enrich the experience of art collecting for collectors.

Think About Your Long-Term Collection

When buying additional original art, think about how the new piece will fit in with your collection. All artworks don’t have to be the same. Rather, search for relationships via:

• Subject matter
• Artistic technique
• Color
• Texture
• Scale
• Historical or conceptual themes
• Personal meaning

Collection may grow organically over time. Each piece may be a distinct moment, discovery, or artistic interest.

Make Your Modern Home More Personal

A modern house can be beautiful and still have a personal touch. Original artwork helps bridge that gap. Think of art as a part of the home’s identity, and not the final decorative touch. The right painting, drawing, work on paper, or sculpture can impact the atmosphere of a room and the way in which the space is used.

The best piece of art is the one that keeps on giving. As you spend time with it, its colors, forms, textures, or ideas may become more meaningful. For collectors, that enduring connection can be more rewarding than a fleeting fad.

Explore Mary Hrbacek Studio Gallery to discover and buy original contemporary artwork inspired by the fascinating relationship between human and natural forms.

Frequently Asked Questions