The Art of Selecting Art for Your Apartment

This post is from Ryan Castillo

About The Author

Ryan Castillo is a Marketing Manager at Redfin and has been working at the company for the last four years. He is based in New York City and enjoys attending Broadway shows, playing pickleball, and collecting vinyl records. His dream home would be a large cape cod-style house by the beach.

Choosing artwork for your apartment is an exciting opportunity to express your personal style and create a visually appealing living space. Whether you're drawn to modern abstract pieces, timeless classics, or handcrafted creations, selecting the right artwork can transform your apartment into an inspiring environment. In this ApartmentGuide article, we'll explore various tips to help you curate a collection that reflects your personality, enhances your decor, and brings joy to your everyday life. So whether you a renting an apartment in Newark, NJ, or buying a house in Philadelphia, PA, get ready to bring life into your apartment through these stunning pieces.

Why should I decorate your apartment with artwork?

Art has a profound way of resonating with the soul, evoking emotions and thoughts that words alone cannot express. 

“A unique piece of art in your home reflects personal taste and individuality, creating a deeper connection with your living space. This personal touch transforms a house into a home, imbuing it with warmth and character. Guests are often drawn to these distinct pieces, making them feel welcomed and intrigued by the stories behind the art,” states Camille Barnes Studio.

“I look for unique pieces of art that capture a moment that I want to take home with me. Sometimes it acts as a portal to a place where I spent precious time with loved ones I wish could be near. Other times, it's like having windows to fleeting moments of beauty you can keep coming back to,” adds Sarah Heitmeyer Ceramics.

Install a floating shelf to display trinkets 

Installing floating shelf units in your apartment provides a stylish and space-saving solution for displaying trinkets and artwork that hold meaning. These shelves add a modern touch to your decor while keeping your favorite items organized.

"A clever way to incorporate a unique piece of art in your apartment without losing space is to hang an antique floating shelf unit. Whether it's shabby-chic, primitive, or Victorian, they offer perfect display or storage for coffee mugs, photos, or small plants. You can take it one step further by adding a wallpaper accent to the inside for a more personal look,” shares Jeffcoat Art.

Decorate with metal wall art

Decorating with metal artwork in your apartment adds a contemporary and sophisticated touch to your decor. The durability of metal pieces creates striking visual interest that can bring a unique aesthetic to your home.

"SOA Arts states, “A contemporary metal wall art, with its sleek and unconventional geometric shapes, is ideal for enhancing the modern aesthetic of apartments. Crafted from metal and finished with a clear gloss lacque for shine and protection, a unique piece is perfect for adding a sophisticated touch to any home decor.” 

It's a piece of art with high-quality craftsmanship, handmade with a focus on abstract and geometric artwork.

Welcome in the classics

Bringing in classic works of art to your apartment infuses your space with timeless elegance and cultural depth.

“Consider enhancing your apartment with a framed mosaic of Johannes Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring,” recommends Mosaic Natural. “This handcrafted masterpiece brings art history's charm and elegance to your space without the commitment of permanent installation. It's ideal for renters seeking to personalize their space with timeless beauty, transforming their apartment into a personalized sanctuary effortlessly.”

Install stunning wall tapestries

Installing beautiful wall tapestries in your apartment brings warmth and texture to your space. These versatile pieces of art can easily transform a blank wall into an eye-catching, colorful focal point.

“I make hand-woven brocaded wall tapestries with subjects diverse subjects ranging from landscapes to architecture to giant cargo ships. I also design some textiles for use — blankets, ribbons, rugs, and upholstery, and these are either commercially produced or hand made for special clients,” shares Laura Foster Nicholson.

Make your own string art

Creating your own string art offers a unique opportunity to personalize your space in a way that perfectly complements your home decor. 

“Instead of opting for generic pieces from home goods stores, crafting your own string art allows you to display exactly what you envision, reflecting your individual taste and style,” says String of the Art. “Not only does this add a personal touch to your home, but it also provides a great story to share with your guests.”

Support small artists through original artwork

Supporting local artists for your apartment art enhances your decor with unique, original pieces while contributing to the local creative community. It also allows you to connect with the artist's story, adding depth and personal meaning to the artwork displayed in your home.

Fine artist, instructor, and art advocate Bev Goldie states, “Beyond the college art posters or big box ‘cheapie’ paintings, invest in yourself by getting some original art. Even if you start small and work your way up to a ‘statement’ piece, you will always remember the spark of joy and wonder you experienced when you first set eyes on it. You’ll remember the artist, the place, the fun purchasing it, and the story behind it that you can relive and tell others. You’ll also support and uplift an artist.”

More info here: https://www.apartmentguide.com/blog/selecting-art-for-your-apartment/

The Art of Seeing

Unveiling the Masterpiece through an Artist's Eyes

In the realm of artistic creation, there exists a profound and intricate process that transcends the mere act of putting paint on canvas. This process, often referred to as "the art of seeing," is a fundamental skill for any artist. It is the ability to observe with a critical eye and analyze it. An understanding is needed for understanding forms, colors, textures, and compositions. It is through this lens that artists transform their thoughts, emotions, and perceptions into captivating visual narratives that resonate with viewers across time and space.

Developing these skills takes practice and discipline. One must learn to be patient through the process. A keen attention to detail is needed for the realism artist. By actively engaging with the visual world around them, the artist can train their eyes to see more deeply and develop a greater understanding of visual concepts.

Composition: Crafting the Visual Symphony

At the heart of every impactful artwork lies a carefully orchestrated composition. The arrangement of elements within the frame determines the flow of the viewer's gaze and sets the stage for the story being told. Artists employ techniques like the rule of thirds, leading lines, and balance to guide the eye and evoke a harmonious visual experience. Through the art of seeing, an artist perceives not just individual objects, but the relationships and interplay that give rise to a dynamic whole.

Angels: Shaping Perspective and Dimension

Angles, or perspectives, define how objects relate to one another within a two-dimensional space. The art of seeing entails the ability to translate the three-dimensional world onto a canvas, creating the illusion of depth and volume. Artists experiment with various angles to convey different emotions and to emphasize the significance of certain elements. Whether it's a dramatic foreshortening or a sweeping panoramic view, the chosen angle contributes to the visual language that communicates the artist's intent.

Color Values and Complementary Hues: Painting with Emotion

Colors are not only aesthetically pleasing; they are vessels of emotion and meaning. The art of seeing involves understanding the intricate relationships between different hues and their varying values. Artists deftly use contrasts between light and dark, warm and cool tones, and complementary colors to create visual impact and evoke specific moods. Through a deep understanding of color theory, artists masterfully infuse their work with feelings that resonate with the viewer's soul.

Depth and Perception: Breathing Life into Flat Surfaces

Transforming a flat canvas into a multi-dimensional realm is a hallmark of artistic mastery. Through the art of seeing, artists manipulate scale, overlapping forms, and atmospheric perspective to simulate depth. This technique tricks the eye into perceiving distant objects as smaller and less distinct, mimicking the way our eyes perceive the world in real life. As a result, the viewer is drawn into the artwork, exploring its layers and experiencing its nuances.

The Story Being Told: A Visual Narrative

Art is a powerful medium for storytelling, and every brushstroke contributes to the narrative being woven. The art of seeing involves not just observing objects, but recognizing the stories they carry. Artists infuse their work with symbolism, metaphors, and emotions, inviting viewers to engage in a dialogue with the piece. The artist's perspective becomes a bridge between their inner world and the outer reality, giving birth to stories that transcend time and cultural boundaries.

The Meditative Act of Creation

Engaging in the art of seeing requires a meditative state of mind. Artists immerse themselves in the world around them, shedding preconceived notions and embracing the present moment. This mindfulness enables them to capture fleeting details and subtle nuances that might otherwise go unnoticed. As artists connect with their subjects on a deep level, they are able to translate their observations into a visual language that speaks to the hearts of others.

In conclusion, the art of seeing is an intricate dance between perception, emotion, and expression. Through mastery of composition, angles, color values, complementary hues, depth, and storytelling, artists transform blank canvases into windows into their souls. Each stroke of the brush becomes a brushstroke of consciousness, inviting viewers to witness the world through an artist's eyes. So, the next time you gaze upon a captivating masterpiece, remember that it is not just a visual representation—it is a testament to the artist's ability to see beyond the ordinary and to capture the extraordinary.

The art of seeing is also important for anyone who wants to appreciate and understand the visual world. By holding the skill, individuals can develop a greater appreciation for art and design, as well as a deeper understanding of the world around them. This is a skill that can be continually refined and developed throughout one's lifetime.