5 interior design tips to seamlessly incorporate art in your space
As a fully integrated architecture and interior design team, we at Shelter understand the importance of each and every design detail in aligning with – and executing – a project’s overall vision and vibe. Our interiors team is especially skilled at fine-tuning the details that bring a space to life and make it one-of-a-kind. And one important design element we love to source and style to elevate our clients’ spaces: artwork!
Artwork as a space “starter” and “finisher”
Artwork is one of the most impactful tools for infusing personality and character into a room. While art can be incorporated into a design at any time, we typically find ourselves using art as a space “starter” or “finisher”. When clients come to us with a pre-existing collection or piece they want to incorporate, we can use that artwork as a “starter” for the design and bring in elements that play nicely with the colors and textures. Alternatively, when we (or the clients) come across a piece later on in the design process, we can use the artwork as a “finisher” to round out a space. Either way, for many of our clients, figuring out how to style and incorporate artwork can feel daunting. So, our interior designer team has created this short guide to get you started on how to source and style artwork like a pro.
1. Create an inspiration board
If getting started feels intimidating, consider making a vision board of your space that you want to finish with art. Vision boards are especially helpful if you don’t have favorite artists or a pre-existing art collection to pick from. If you or your designer have already made other selections in the room (i.e. paint color, furniture, light fixtures), add these to your vision board to create a digital collage of the space that you can reference later when you’re exploring artwork options. This can help you visualize how you want the artwork to fit in with other design elements in the space. And keep in mind, the vision board doesn’t just have to reflect your current space, it can (and should) also include inspiration images to help you identify what styles of artwork you might be drawn to. This example board incorporates fun, colorful artwork of neon fish and fruit from a local Minneapolis artist.
2. Consider size and scale
With a vision board in hand reflecting your current (or ideal) space, next you’ll want to think about the size and scale of the artwork you’ll be searching for. Size and scale are often tied to where the piece of art will be displayed based on the layout of the room and how much available display space you have. Have a bare desk shelf in need of a frame? An empty wall space you’d like to add interest to? An accent chair that needs something to help finish a cozy corner? Having an idea of where you’d like to place the artwork, along with a measurement of how large a display space you’re working with can help you narrow in your search.
Scale should also be considered. A general rule of thumb to follow is the ⅔ rule. Art should ideally take up at least ⅔ of the size of the item you are placing it next to, or above. The art should usually not exceed the length of whatever it’s displayed on (i.e. a shelf) or over (i.e. a piece of furniture). For example, if you have a nine foot sofa, the selected artwork above it should fill about 6 feet of space to maintain some balance. Framing is another way to play with scale and to add character. For smaller pieces of art, larger mats tend to open up the image and give it more breathing room.
3. Play with arrangements
When you’ve found a space you’d like to fill with artwork, consider one versus multiple pieces. If you prefer a symmetrical look, hanging art in pairs or trios can help create balance. If you’re comfortable playing with a mix of shapes, sizes, and mediums, an organically arranged gallery wall can create visual interest.
4. Explore local artists
Once you’ve got your display location and a rough measurement of the space you’d like to fill, the fun of browsing for artwork can really begin! We always encourage our clients to start their search with local artists for a couple of reasons:
- Supporting local makers is a great way to connect with, and support, your community
- The uniqueness and authenticity of local artwork can’t be replicated
- The experience of personally connecting with and learning about an artist’s story first-hand is meaningful and adds another layer of depth and meaning to the artwork you bring into your space.
If this all sounds great, but you don’t know where to begin looking for local artists, use the Shelter studio art gallery as inspiration! We feature locally made artwork from a variety of artists and styles right here in the Shelter studio year-round. We use the walls of our studio space as an art gallery that is rotated 2x/year to promote community makers. Check out the artists we’ve featured in our space:
Ashley Mary
Abstract paintings, illustrations, murals
*Ashley’s collection is on display and available for purchase in the Shelter studio through April 2025. Contact us to learn more.
Suyao Tian
Watercolor paintings
Caitlin Lempia-Bradford
Oil-on-panel paintings
Daren Henry
Oil paintings
Wendell Arneson
Oil, acrylic, and watercolor paintings
David Jensen
Acrylic paintings
5. Buy the art you love
At the end of the day, we always advise our clients to buy what they want to look at everyday. If there’s a piece of art you love, then it belongs in your space. If you’re having trouble figuring out what exactly you love, use our tips above to help guide you. Regardless, the process of sourcing and styling artwork should be inspiring, creative, and fun.
Need a professional opinion on how to source and style artwork for your space? Our interior designers are here to help. Tell us about your project.