Common belief is that small apartment’s face restrictions on the kind of art to be selected for the interiors. In truth, there are no hard and fast rules to be followed for the size, color, number or theme of the paintings for a residence short on space. If you want to personalize your home with artworks of your choice, just follow your heart. Compromising on art because of space issues is like killing the soul of your room. In fact, a skillful placement and a fitting selection can be smartly used to create an illusion of more space. We have pulled out few classic misconceptions people have for selecting art for their apartment-
Use Light Colored Artworks
‘Hang light colored paintings’, is a rule we are advised to follow for decorating a small room. A professional Interior designer would be willing to break this rule and yet be able to create a sense of space. Simply following subdued tones for a small space is boring, if you wish to hang a deep colored artwork, reflect the darker hues of the paintings on other accessories of the room and juxtaposition the light and dark tones of the room in a manner that adds depth to the space and enhances the neutral shades. Layering of colors adds dimension and makes the room look airy.
Colors from Degas painting ‘Dancers’ reflected on various accessories add depths to the space.
Imagesource- Margaret Donaldson Interiors
Darker tones of the painting ‘Turkish Soldiers Casting Bullets’ and other design elements enhances the lighter shades of the room.
Image source- Better Homes & Gardens
Only use Small Artworks
Contrary to popular belief of using small artworks for an apartment that lacks space, a large artwork can be an innovate way of adding style and if selected dexterously it can create an illusion of a wider space. For a small room with poor lighting or a windowless space, a large landscape painting makes a lot of difference, it creates a feeling of wider space. Huge, bold and simple art prints which are not too busy or elaborate like abstract art, maps or vintage posters are few of the many tricks used by professional interior designers for adding an illusion of increased space in small apartments and flats.
The scenery ‘Rest along the Stream’ made by Alfred Sisley gives a fresh and airy feeling to the sitting arrangement.
Image source- Better Homes & Gardens
A huge map adds an impression of a wider space to a vintage setting.
Image source- majestymaps.com
Picasso’s artwork ‘The Young Ladies of Avignon’ gives a relief to the colorful setting.
Image source- sukio.com, Designed by Nick Olsen
Don’t use Busy or Multicolored Artworks
Another erroneous notion is that an intricate or busy artwork can get overpowering and swallow a lot of space. In fact an engaging painting, involuntarily becomes a focal point, causing a space diminishing effect making the surroundings seem more spacious. If we strike a right balance of size and distance with the other design elements, an intricate and detailed artwork can work wonders for a small space.
Orientalist Painting ‘The Carpet Merchants’ made by Jean-Léon Gérôme gives a diminishing feeling to the space.
Image source- veranda.com
Orientalist Painting ’The Dance’ made by Giulio Rosati takes the center stage, as a focal point.
Image source- oldbrandnew.com
‘The Tiger’ by Marc Franzis gives the receding effect to the space
Image source- Better Homes & Gardens
Don’t Fill the Walls
Don’t let limited space be a deterrent for displaying your large art collection. Salon-style grouping is a perfect solution for displaying assembly of your exquisite artworks in the trendiest and refreshing manner. It accentuates the height of the ceiling making it seem taller and creates a cozy feeling. Composing salon-style wall is however a challenge, the theme, color palette, size, distance and framing are factors that need to be planned with utmost understanding. A flawed composition can ruin the display by making it look over whelming. Distance between each piece and aesthetic harmony are two main factors to be kept in mind for the composition.
Image source- houzz.com
Image source- Better Homes & Gardens
Fewer Artworks
For small apartments with heavy-duty and bulky furnishing, we are tempted to follow the rule ‘Lesser the better’ but as per a professional interior designer, fewer artworks is no solution for space issues, it will in no way make the room look any bigger. Instead bare walls would make the room lifeless like an empty shell. While you may not want an over whelming effect on every wall, there’s no harm done in putting up a selection of your favorites’ for personalizing your home, to suit your taste and style. However in this case, the trick is to use lighter and simpler design elements in the vicinity to retain the room’s spaciousness.
‘The Kiss’ by Gustav Klimt and other abstract Art Print’s work well with the light and restrained interior.
Image source- Dona Rosene Interiors
Abstract artwork’s by Kazimir Malevich and Paul Klee despite the size retain the airy feeling of the space.
Image source- architecturaldigest.com, Designed by Christina Murphy