Choosing the perfect landscape artwork for your home

Adding landscape artwork to your home can transform your space, bringing you the peace of the outdoors and a connection with nature. But how do you choose the perfect piece? With so many styles, colors, and subjects available, this guide will help simplify your decision-making process. Whether you're looking to brighten a living room or create a calming atmosphere in your child's bedroom, you'll find useful tips here.

Landscape art ideas

When looking for the perfect landscape painting for your home, think about the overall theme and feel you want to create. Are you aiming for a cosy and rustic look, or do you prefer modern and vibrant designs? Here are several landscape art ideas to inspire you:

1. Sublime Nature: Large canvas paintings of national parks or grand mountains can make a statement. These vibrant scenes can inspire your inner explorer and become the focal point of your space.

   
   

2. Calm Seascapes: Coastal landscapes featuring tranquil waters and soft sunsets are popular because they are pleasing on the eye, and relaxing. In particular, the orange-blue colour combination is a firm favourite, working beautifully in a bathrooms or bedroom.

   
   

3. Abstract Landscapes: For a more contemporary touch, consider abstract landscape art that plays with colour and form. These pieces can serve as conversation starters and complement more modern decor.

   
   

4. Pastoral Oil Paintings: Traditional oil paintings of countryside scenes (think Constable or Gainsborough) add elegance to any room. These artworks usually feature rich textures and deep colors that enhance the decor's warmth.

   
   

5. Framed Prints: If budget is a concern, framed prints of landscape artworks can provide beauty without breaking the bank. Look for high-quality reproductions that maintain the integrity of the original piece.

   
   

Vibrant landscape artwork adding color to a room

Understanding different styles of landscape art

Each artwork style tells a unique story. Understanding these differences can help you to selecting the right piece for your personality and your home.

1. Realism: This style captures landscapes as they are, emphasising detail, depth and accuracy. If you appreciate lifelike forms, realistic landscape paintings are ideal.

   
   

2. Impressionism: Impressionist landscapes use loose brushwork and vibrant colors to depict a scene. This style often conveys the feelings and emotions of a landscape rather than precise details.

   
   

3. Expressionism: This style is a favourite of mine, and often utilise vivid colour palettes and exaggerated forms to express an emotional experience or the spiritual side of the subject. Expressionist landscapes are perfect for a dramatic impact.

   
   

4. Minimalism: Minimalist landscapes focus on simplicity and clean lines. They can lend a modern aesthetic and are great for small spaces, where too much detail could feel overwhelming.

   
   

Understanding these styles can help you determine which resonates with you and fits your home decor.

Serene mountain landscape painting bringing tranquility to a living space

What are the rules for landscape painting?

When viewing a landscape painting, there are subtle rules at play that can influence whether you like a piece or not. These are:

1. Colour Harmony: Calm colours in muted, pastel tones will unify the space and provide a calming atmosphere, whilst a bright landscape can serve as a focal point.

   
   

2. Size Matters: The size of the artwork should be appropriate for the wall space. A large piece can fill a blank wall effectively, while a smaller piece can create balance when grouped with other artworks or within a smaller space.

   
   

3. Framing and Presentation: The right frame can transform your painting and your room. A simple or classic frame works best for traditional landscapes, while contemporart art styles may benefit from more minimal, modern frames.

   
   

4. Theme: Make sure that your chosen landscape aligns with the overall theme of your home. A beach scene may look out of place in a rustic cabin setting. If your house has more of a nautical theme and decor pieces, then seascapes with compliment it. If your room is filled with an abundance of green plants, choose artwork that ties in to the theme, perhaps with a garden painting or woodland painting.

   
   

5. Personal Connection: Finally, go with what resonates with you personally. Choose artworks that evoke emotions or memories, making them more meaningful in your space. I paint the places most familiar to me, and the ones that I have experienced in my childhood or have re-visited in adulthood.

   
   
   
   

Choosing the right location for your artwork

After selecting the perfect piece, next comes the question: where do I hang it?

1. Living Room: This is often the focal point of a home. A large landscape painting above the sofa can create a stunning visual impact.

   
   

2. Bedroom: Scenic artwork can be calming, making it ideal for a bedroom. Choose soothing landscapes to promote relaxation and comfort before sleep.

   
   

3. Hallways: Long hallways can seem monotonous. Utilize them as your own private gallery space for multiple smaller artworks in a series.
   

4. Dining Area: Consider art that evokes feelings of appetites, such as nurturing landscapes near dining areas or kitchens.

   
   

5. Home Office: Inspire yourself during those monotonous work days with an inspiring mountain scene or a splash of colourful flowers.

   
   

By carefully considering the placement of your landscape artwork, you can enhance the mood and aesthetics of any room.

Enhancing your artwork experience

How you experience artwork can change its impact. There are a few tips to maximise your enjoyment of landscape paintings.

1. Proper Lighting: Good lighting can drastically alter how a piece looks. Use spotlights or LED fixtures to illuminate important artworks, focusing on the texture and colors. Avoid yellow lights or too bright spotlights.

   
   

2. Grouping: If you have multiple pieces, consider grouping them in clusters. Mix different styles and sizes for an eclectic look, or match colors for a cohesive appearance.

   
   

3. Seasonal Rotation: Refresh your space by rotating artworks based on seasons. This keeps your home lively and gives the indoors a connection to the natural world and changing landscape outside.

   
   

4. Personal Touches: Add items that resonate with the landscape depicted. Add souvenirs from your travels like seashells and seaglass near a painting of a beach scene. Theme the decor to support the painting, especially for smaller shelf artwork and nooks.

   
   

By following these tips, you can create a more engaging and personal art experience in your home.

Final thoughts on landscape artwork

The right landscape artwork can breathe new life into your home, creating an inspiring and relaxing atmosphere. Remember to consider your personal style, the artwork's style, and the emotions you want to convey.

Invest time in finding pieces that not only fit your decor but resonate with you on a personal level, after all, art should bring joy and connection to your life, the same way it bring joy and connection to the artist. Happy decorating! Chloe