Decorating
How to Change the Mood of Your Room With Artwork
Art can completely transform the look and feel of a space. Here's how to use it to create ambience
Decorated a room but feel as if something’s missing? A well-chosen piece of art could be the answer. By adding a painting or print to a space, you can introduce an unexpected element that will completely alter the mood. Check out these schemes for ideas on how to use art in your home.
Give it a twist
Imagine this room without the artwork. It would be a comfortable space for relaxing, but with more practicality than personality.
Add the artwork and the whole ambience changes. The series of tongue-in-cheek paintings gives a witty lift to the space, and the way they’ve been arranged in a neat row around the room brings more eccentric humour to the design.
Imagine this room without the artwork. It would be a comfortable space for relaxing, but with more practicality than personality.
Add the artwork and the whole ambience changes. The series of tongue-in-cheek paintings gives a witty lift to the space, and the way they’ve been arranged in a neat row around the room brings more eccentric humour to the design.
Add some drama
Dark walls, metallic finishes and luxurious materials give this bedroom a decadent feel. However, it’s the abstract painting above the bed that really creates the mood.
Bold reds, pinks and oranges stand out beautifully against the inky walls to create a space that feels vibrant and energised.
Browse beautiful bedrooms for art lovers
Dark walls, metallic finishes and luxurious materials give this bedroom a decadent feel. However, it’s the abstract painting above the bed that really creates the mood.
Bold reds, pinks and oranges stand out beautifully against the inky walls to create a space that feels vibrant and energised.
Browse beautiful bedrooms for art lovers
Relax and unwind
The honey tones in this open-plan space are wonderfully restful, and the artwork adds to that relaxing mood.
A simple print of gradated greys on one side and a cool-toned mountain peak on the other help create a tranquil atmosphere.
The honey tones in this open-plan space are wonderfully restful, and the artwork adds to that relaxing mood.
A simple print of gradated greys on one side and a cool-toned mountain peak on the other help create a tranquil atmosphere.
Light up a living room
The dark blue walls in this living space are brought to life by the eye-catching painting on the chimney breast. It’s almost like a light in the room with its golden intensity, and it brings out the richness in the surrounding hues.
The other colours in the painting subtly link to the walls, fireplace and burgundy chair, making it feel part of the scheme as a whole.
Curate Your Own Art Gallery at Home
The dark blue walls in this living space are brought to life by the eye-catching painting on the chimney breast. It’s almost like a light in the room with its golden intensity, and it brings out the richness in the surrounding hues.
The other colours in the painting subtly link to the walls, fireplace and burgundy chair, making it feel part of the scheme as a whole.
Curate Your Own Art Gallery at Home
Warm it up
If you’re going for a grey colour scheme in your dining or living room, it helps to choose artwork that will lift the mood.
This formal dining area is sophisticated, with a very limited palette, so the painting is vital for adding warmth. The cool blue tones chime with the grey interior scheme, but the mustard and maroon give it a boost.
If you’re going for a grey colour scheme in your dining or living room, it helps to choose artwork that will lift the mood.
This formal dining area is sophisticated, with a very limited palette, so the painting is vital for adding warmth. The cool blue tones chime with the grey interior scheme, but the mustard and maroon give it a boost.
Lift the scheme
The formal furniture arrangement and muted colour palette in this room is chic and elegant. However, the designers have added another layer that elevates the space.
The artwork above the fireplace features the same sharp shapes that appear in the rest of the room, and a hint of the greeny-gold from the velvet sofa. However, the bolder colours in the painting are enough to add another dimension to the neutral scheme.
40 Well-Placed Artworks From Around the Globe
The formal furniture arrangement and muted colour palette in this room is chic and elegant. However, the designers have added another layer that elevates the space.
The artwork above the fireplace features the same sharp shapes that appear in the rest of the room, and a hint of the greeny-gold from the velvet sofa. However, the bolder colours in the painting are enough to add another dimension to the neutral scheme.
40 Well-Placed Artworks From Around the Globe
Keep it calm
How’s this for a cosy dining spot? The chairs are soft and comfy, but in fact the rest of the room is fairly neutral and functional. It’s the artwork that makes the space feel inviting.
An abstract, watery horizon features pink and burgundy tones that bring out the warm hues in the room. The colours work together to give a calm feel, and the subject matter is tranquil and dreamy.
How’s this for a cosy dining spot? The chairs are soft and comfy, but in fact the rest of the room is fairly neutral and functional. It’s the artwork that makes the space feel inviting.
An abstract, watery horizon features pink and burgundy tones that bring out the warm hues in the room. The colours work together to give a calm feel, and the subject matter is tranquil and dreamy.
Bring out earthy tones
The calm simplicity of this dining area comes from the choice of quality finishes and the neutral colour scheme. A chevron parquet floor, grey walls and a black-framed doorway are elegant and understated.
To make more of these finishes, though, the designers have added a painting that features earth-toned hues and a dark background. The shades complement the wood and steel, while the cartoon-like drawing adds some fun.
Tell us
How have you changed the mood of your room with artwork? Share your ideas and images in the Comments below, save and like this story, and join the conversation.
More
Find an artist near you
The calm simplicity of this dining area comes from the choice of quality finishes and the neutral colour scheme. A chevron parquet floor, grey walls and a black-framed doorway are elegant and understated.
To make more of these finishes, though, the designers have added a painting that features earth-toned hues and a dark background. The shades complement the wood and steel, while the cartoon-like drawing adds some fun.
Tell us
How have you changed the mood of your room with artwork? Share your ideas and images in the Comments below, save and like this story, and join the conversation.
More
Find an artist near you
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