Artwork in Interior Design: The Best Way to Incorporate It

Artwork in Interior Design has the power to give essence, create identity, and attribute culturalism to an environment. The contribution of works of art evolved so that they are no longer seen as simple adornments. They’re now seen as an integral part of the environment as they complement the identity of an Interior Design project.

The Importance of Art in Interior Design

In Interior Design art curation, the pieces take the central element on which the design of the space will be elaborated. Regardless of the perspective, art attributes visual richness. Still, its incorporation must always consider the owner’s personality or the image he intends to convey. Therefore, several questions must be structured before starting the project or selecting the artwork.

The pieces or works of art are diverse and may take the form of paintings, photographs, sculptures, prints, ceramics, or weaving. The choice of this typology and the work itself must consider the concept and purpose of the project so that the environment is in harmony.

How to use Art in Interior Design

Art and design are abstract, but they represent forms of communication. Its incorporation into the environment must consider several factors. Some of them are the design style, the intended visual emphasis, the number of pieces and their positioning, the color, and the technique of incorporation in the space.

Let’s take a closer look at some design recommendations and principles for incorporating art into interior decor…

Style and Project Concept

Leading suggestions alert, in the first phase, to the adaptation of art to the design style and concept of the project. The same applies to projects whose concept revolves around well-being and tranquility. In that case, the visual robustness of art would be a contradiction.

Adapting the piece to the room is extremely important to keep the overall balance of the project.

Placement of the Artwork

The positioning of art pieces in Interior Design refers to the visual emphasis intended for each, the flow of circulation in the surrounding area, the number of elements to consider, the placement in an isolated or grouped way, and the location.

Frames are an excellent example of this dynamic, in which interior art paintings can be hung on the wall or placed on a given surface, depending on the intended emphasis.

In the case of ceramic art, for example, inserting a single one on a piece of furniture may not give the desired aesthetic, while a set of components of the same artistic line will stand out, making the piece of furniture stand out in the same way. However, the quantity should not be exaggerated so that the space maintains its elegance.

Balance & Color Palette in Artwork

The color of the artwork must be in balance with the rest of the decoration and fit in the same palette. When the intention is to highlight the piece, it can be combined with a color contrasting with the surroundings. For more harmony in space, size and scale are also important; the grouped elements must be equidistant and the frames at the observer’s eye level.

The Lighting of Artwork in Interior Design

The project integrating interior design artwork ideas must have appropriate lighting to highlight the pieces when necessary. Point lighting spots are common and fulfill this function very well, while ceiling lighting is more diffuse and covers a more significant number of elements.

The choice of light color can influence the reproducibility of the work’s color, so it is essential to consider the chromatic reproduction index (CRI). When selecting lighting, consider the emission of UV rays that can damage art pieces.

Suggestions and Technical Principals  

For better results, we highlight some technical suggestions that will make all the difference in incorporating Artwork in Interior Design.

  • Isolate the most significant pieces so they can be admired and not cause visual noise due to their large dimensions.
  • Non-symmetric combinations are also welcome when the intention is to cause a surprise.
  • Sculptures ate commonly placed on a pedestal to give them prominence.
  • Reserving a wall, only for one piece, will give it importance and visibility.

Artwork Maintenance Advice

To ensure the durability of these pieces, insert them in well-ventilated places, so they don’t accumulate moisture but without high incident draught. You should also avoid heat sources such as air conditioning and fireplaces. For the same reasons, don’t attach frames to walls where plumbing passes. More valuable and delicate works are commonly wrapped in glass or acrylic protection.

Regarding the cleaning, for:

•          For Marble pieces, it is advisable to use water and neutral soap;

•          Bronze or copper pieces, it is recommended to use neutral detergent and warm water using a delicate sponge;

•          Wooden pieces, a damp cloth should be used to clean and the mineral oil to finish.


In all the projects we work on, our Interior Design Atelier joins efforts to match the environment and the client’s desire for culturalism and expressiveness, possible through the integration of artwork.

Our main goal is to obtain the best results by providing premium services, which you can find out about here.

To keep up with our work, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media.

Share on Facebook
Share on LinkedIn
Send on WhatsApp
Send by Email
Scroll to Top