How to choose an abstract painting for your home: 5 things to consider
Tips & tricks for finding art you'll love living with.
Have you ever stood in front of a painting and felt something you couldn't quite explain? Maybe it was the colours that caught your attention, or the movement of the brushstrokes. Perhaps it reminded you of somewhere you've been, or simply made you feel happy.
That's the wonderful thing about abstract art. You don't have to understand it to enjoy it.
As an abstract painter, I've spent years exploring how colour, shape, and movement can communicate something without relying on recognizable subjects. I've also had the pleasure of seeing my paintings find homes in all sorts of spaces, from bright, contemporary interiors to more traditional settings.
And one thing I've come to believe is that the best painting for your home isn't necessarily the one that matches everything. It's the one that makes you feel something.
Of course, there are a few practical considerations worth thinking about, too!
If you're considering bringing an original abstract painting into your home, here are five things that might help you make your decision.
1. Start with how the painting makes you feel
Before you think about dimensions, wall colours, or furniture, pay attention to your first reaction.
Does the painting make you smile? Does it feel peaceful? Energizing? Curious? Does something about it make you want to keep looking?
Abstract art has a way of connecting with people on a very personal level. Two people can look at exactly the same painting and see completely different things. Neither interpretation is wrong.
I often hear people say, "I don't know anything about art, but I really like this."
And I always think, That's enough!
You don't need an art history degree, or even a reason for liking something. Your response is yours, and it's worth trusting.
My tip: When you find a painting you like, spend a little time with it. Look at it, walk away, and come back. If you find yourself thinking about it later, that's usually a good sign.
2. Think about colour, but don't get caught up in matching
As someone who spends a great deal of time thinking about colour, I can tell you that colour has an extraordinary ability to influence the feeling of a room.
Warm reds, oranges, and yellows can bring energy and warmth. Blues and greens may feel quieter and more restful. Unexpected combinations can introduce a sense of playfulness.
But here's something I always encourage people to consider: Your artwork doesn't have to match your sofa!
In fact, I often think a room becomes more interesting when the artwork introduces colours that aren't already present.
Imagine a relatively neutral living room with cream walls, a grey sofa, and natural wood furniture. A colourful abstract painting could become the element that brings the whole space to life.
You might choose a painting that picks up on one or two colours already in the room, or you might do the opposite and introduce something completely unexpected.
Both approaches can work beautifully.
My tip: Rather than trying to match every colour in the painting to your decor, look for a colour relationship that feels comfortable to you. Sometimes a little contrast is exactly what a room needs.
3. Consider the size and placement
Scale can make a remarkable difference in how a painting feels in a space.
A large abstract painting can create a strong visual presence, even in a relatively simple room. It can give your eye somewhere to land and become a natural focal point.
Smaller paintings, meanwhile, can bring personality to more intimate spaces. They can look wonderful in hallways, bedrooms, reading corners, or grouped together in a collection.
Before choosing a painting, take a few measurements.
Think about the wall where you might hang it, the furniture beneath it, and how much space you'd like to leave around the artwork.
For example, a painting hung above a sofa often looks balanced when its width is approximately two-thirds to three-quarters of the sofa's width. But that's a guideline, not a rule.
I also encourage people to consider spaces they might otherwise overlook. An original painting can make an ordinary corner feel surprisingly special.
My tip: Use painter's tape to mark the dimensions of a painting on your wall. This gives you a much better sense of its scale before you commit.
4. Pay attention to light and the way you live
Something people don't always consider is how much a painting can change throughout the day.
Natural light shifts from morning to evening. Colours can appear warmer or cooler depending on the light around them, and the textures of a painting may become more noticeable as shadows move across its surface.
I spend a lot of time working with layers of colour, including transparent and opaque passages. Even in my own studio, I notice different things in a painting depending on where the light is coming from.
When choosing artwork for your home, take a moment to consider the lighting in the room.
Is it filled with sunlight? Is it a cosy space with lamps? Will the painting be viewed mostly during the day, or in the evening?
You might also think about the atmosphere you're hoping to create.
A lively, colourful painting can bring wonderful energy to a dining room or living space. Something quieter might be just what you want in a bedroom.
Although, once again, there are no rules. Some people love waking up to bold colour!
My tip: Whenever possible, view a painting in different lighting conditions. And remember that direct sunlight can damage artwork over time, so avoid hanging original paintings where they'll receive prolonged direct sun.
5. Choose something you'll enjoy growing with
Your home will change over time.
Furniture gets replaced. Walls are repainted. Rooms take on new purposes. Our tastes evolve, too.
But a painting that genuinely speaks to you can remain part of your life through all those changes.
I think this is one of the loveliest things about living with original art. You develop a relationship with it.
You may notice something new in a painting years after you first brought it home. A colour you hadn't paid much attention to, an unexpected shape, or a small detail that suddenly catches your eye.
With abstract art, there's often something new to discover.
And because it doesn't tell you exactly what to see, it leaves room for your imagination to change along with you.
My tip: Rather than asking whether a painting will work with your home forever, ask yourself whether you'd be happy to see it every day. That's a much more meaningful place to begin.
A few final thoughts
Choosing an original painting doesn't have to be complicated.
Of course, you'll want to think about your space, your budget, and the practical details. But try not to let those considerations drown out your initial response to the artwork.
A home doesn't need to look like a perfectly coordinated magazine spread to be beautiful. In fact, I think the most interesting homes are the ones that tell us something about the people who live there.
Maybe it's a collection of objects gathered while travelling. A treasured piece of furniture passed down through generations. Or a colourful painting that makes you stop for a moment each time you walk into the room.
Art doesn't have to match your life perfectly.
It just has to feel like it belongs in it.
And sometimes, the painting you least expected to choose turns out to be the one you love the most.
If you're curious about bringing more colour into your home, I invite you to browse my collection of original abstract paintings. Perhaps something will catch your eye. And if it does, take your time. Finding the right piece of art should be something you enjoy.