Simple Guide To Buying Large Abstract Art
Purchasing large abstract wall art can be a little intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. By following this simple advice you will be less likely to get stuck with an expensive large painting that doesn’t seem to fit in. With a little patience and a keen eye you can have a lot of fun picking out your perfect abstract artwork. In the end you will get years of bliss out of your new addition. So let’s begin.
Choose Abstract Art That Moves You
Figuring out what you like is easy. Often times, you feel it right away. With large abstract art, the feeling you get is just about all you need to go by. There are many other factors like size, cost, and where it will be hung, but this is a good place to start. Your instincts will guide you, but give it a little time. See what you come back to. You will always go back and observe the ones you like the most. They find a place in your heart and stick around. It’s a connection, almost like the art is calling you.
Abstraction in art is playful, it encourages the imagination and propels the mind to perceive visual language at an emotional level. In my opinion, great abstract art never leaves the viewer stranded for long. The composition is not obnoxious or devoid of beauty. There has to be some sort of connection that draws you in so that you always return to it. It may mean that the composition contains something reminiscent in the natural world and you can relate to it and form your own unique place in your mind. Sometimes it just means the colors themselves and the grand encompassing size resonate with you so much that you want to be surrounded by their beauty. Or perhaps the textural elements are so intriguing because of the patterns and shapes that you can’t stop staring.
Research The Artist
It would not hurt to do a little research. Get to know about the artist and have a look at their portfolio. See if they are currently creating new works because that’s always a bonus. Later on down the road you may want to reach out them and consider purchasing another one of their works. Not only does it look better to have multiple pieces of the same artist on your walls, but artists generally will give a discount to those that repeat buy.
Understand what you are considering buying. Is it an original paintings? A canvas print? If it is mass produced and sold from a large retail store or popular websites, there’s a good chance it’s a common themed piece. That doesn’t mean the art is bad, it just means that the forms and colors are very popularized, and may come across as boring in the hearts and minds of onlookers including yourself.
Think About Interior Decoration And Color Relationships
Having awareness of the relationship that exists between the art and the living space is so very important and even more so with large abstract art. Whether it is nature inspired elements in the art, the colors, or the textures, you will want to think about them and consider how these elements can exist in the room where the wall art will be hung.
The most important thing is to consider are:
- The size of the wall space and size of artwork.
- The color of your wall.
- The arrangement and color of your main furniture items.
When you are buying large oversized art you have to realize that these pieces stand alone as a focal point on the wall. So measure your wall space and mark the wall with a masking tape border of the painting to help gain a better understanding of an appropriate size.
If your main furniture items or walls are white or grey you’re in luck, you can pretty much match any artwork to it. But if there is more color you have to consider how those colors interact with the colors in the artwork. For example, if your couch or walls have red tones does the artwork have any red in it? Or if your furniture has gold legs, perhaps a gold frame around the painting would look nice.
Then comes the easy part. Once you have that sorted out you can think about matching the room around the wall art by simply adding or changing basic decor items such as pillows, blankets, plants, curtains, textured rugs, etc. Making the right choices in adding these little details can give greater balance and richness to both. For example, if the artwork appears to shimmer or has smooth soft lines you can add a faux silk throw on your bed or couch. Or if the abstract is floral or beach related, perhaps you want to add a plant to compliment and bring life into the overall room experience.
For more detailed information visit my other blog post, How To Hang Large Modern Wall Art For Living Room or Bedroom.
Use The Wall To Enhance The Art
In the examples below the wall is a lighter tone than the main colors in the artwork. The wall space is large so a larger canvas is used. Texture or panelling on the wall can be used to add more compelling design behind the art because the canvas art is without a traditional frame. In these examples the wall compliments the artwork.
Add Colors That Pop In A Neutral Room
White, cream, and grey based tones are the easiest to add wall art to especially of you have a variety of color in the art. The washed out room craves color so why not add the color with a large abstract canvas painting or print. Ideally, toss in a decor items in the room that match the large wall art because this helps cohesiveness. Notice you can visually frame the canvas with chairs or make the painting a focal point above a sofa or bed.
Total Room Decor Matching
This is where it all comes together. Notice that plants help the relationship especially if the abstract art has natural elements in it. A simple understanding of your wall color, fabric textures, and a little pillow matching goes a long way.
