A well-chosen piece – whether it’s an inherited oil painting of a distant ancestor, a scribble from your youngest, or a photograph that tells a family story – can shift the entire feeling of a room. It adds warmth, character and that comforting sense of a space that is uniquely yours.
Art doesn’t need to be precious or intimidating. In fact, the best collections are often a wonderful mix of old and new: a vintage watercolour next to a contemporary print; a flea-market treasure alongside your children’s masterpieces. Homes that mix things up feel richer, more layered, and far more interesting.
Why Art Matters in Your Home
It tells your story
Art reveals who you are far more quickly than furniture ever will. Your taste, your memories, the moments you cherish – these come through in what you choose to display.
It creates connection
Visitors are naturally drawn to art. It’s a conversation starter, an insight into your world and it helps your home feel warm and welcoming.
It adds soul
A striking statement piece or a thoughtful cluster of family photos brings depth and personality. These are the touches that make a room feel lived-in and loved.
Choosing the Right Art for Your Style
Choose pieces that genuinely resonate
Forget what you think you should choose. Go for pieces that speak to you – colours you keep returning to, themes you love, or images that spark a feeling or memory. If you love it, it will work in your home, wherever you choose to hang it.
Buying art
Where to Look depends very much on your taste and your budget.
The art in my own home is a mix of paintings I have spent months saving for, £10 bargains from charity shops and pieces I’ve fallen in love with on holiday that spark lovely memories when I look at them.
The camel-wool wall-hanging I schlepped around in my rucksack on a 2 month back-packing trip around the Middle East back in 1992 was a challenge. But when I look at it now, I remember exactly where I was and who I was with when I bought it, and that brings me joy.
Spend wisely – not excessively
Beautiful art doesn’t require a large investment. Often, it’s about finding something that feels right rather than something that is expensive.
Hanging Art with Style
This is the part that puts many people off – but it doesn’t need to.
Get the height right
Hang artwork at eye level for the most natural, pleasing look. In all my experience of working on different homes, people generally hang art way too high so that it floats on the wall with no link to what’s around it. This can also have a negative effect on the visual proportions of the space.
If art is being hung over a piece of furniture hang it close enough so that the two things feel related to one another. I like to leave a gap of no more than 20-30cm above a sofa, for example. For anything else – a fireplace, a piano, a sideboard, I generally go for a 10 – 20cm gap.
Use simple tools to make life easier
A small blob of Blu-tack on one back corner helps keep frames straight. A spirit level and a tape measure are your best friends, helping to avoid wonky frames and a peppering of small holes in your newly painted wall!
Match the art to the wall
Think about the shape of the wall. A long rectangular stretch suits a landscape piece or a row of smaller works. A narrow space might call for portrait orientation or 2 or three smaller pieces stacked.
Creating a gallery wall
I won’t lie, these take a little time and commitment to get right, but they can transform a space. If I’m working with a client, I will generally create a scale drawing. It’s easy enough to do on a piece of graph paper. Measure the wall first, choose your scale and then start adding in shapes to represent the frames. This will give you a clear visual plan to work from before you begin knocking in nails.
Alternatively:
- Start by laying your frames out on the floor.
- Play with the configuration; mix sizes, styles, frames, and colours.
- Aim for an odd number of pieces; it always looks more natural.
- Break up any straight lines to avoid things feeling too stiff and formal.
- When you’ve landed on a layout you love, take a photo so you can recreate it on the wall.
- Keep a consistent gap between frames – 5cm to 10cm works well.
The most charming gallery walls feel collected over time rather than assembled in one go, so don’t feel you have to rush this process.
READY TO START?
Art has the power to transform your home – quietly, confidently and with real personality. Start small if that feels easier. Frame something meaningful – a family photo, a drawing your child did at school, a piece of vintage sheet music or the menu from that amazing restaurant you found on a trip to Paris. The best art is the art that means something to you.
Need some help? A Design Consultation is perfect if you’d like advice and support on where and how to hang your chosen pieces.
At Kate Parslow Interiors, we offer more than beautifully designed spaces – we offer a collaborative, calm and expert-led journey from start to finish. If you’re looking for an expert guide to help you unlock the potential of your home, we’d love to hear from you.
Book your free design call to start your project.
Kate x
This Blog was written by Kate – a real human being and not AI-generated