If you love modern art but also have a penchant for antique oil paintings. Or maybe you get bold abstract artwork, delicate pastels, and some travel photos. All of these works of art resonate with you. However, when you try to place them, your walls look like a thrift store rather than a carefully curated gallery.
Mixing wall art styles is about strategy, not luck. When paired properly, different artworks add depth and personality, making the space completely your own. But how can you make mixing and matching look intentional rather than cluttered? That's going to take some finesse.
Next, let's learn how to better mix wall art styles. This way, you can easily combine different designs to create a fluid environment.
1. Understanding Art Styles and Personalities
First, you need to understand the different styles of art deco. Some artwork is bold and expressive and can draw attention to itself. Others are subtle and sophisticated, with a three-dimensional feel without overpowering. In addition, there are artworks that exude an air of mystery, dreaminess, and elusiveness.
Once you know enough about these wall artworks, you can make sure they go together wisely. Here is the probability of common art styles:
- Abstract Art: This is artwork that is vibrant, colorful, and dynamic.
- Photography: It can enhance the realism and contrast of a room.
- Minimalist Art: It can bring a quiet, sophisticated, and balanced design style.
- Surrealism: It can challenge reality and inspire curiosity.
- Classic Oil Paintings: This type of wall art decor can bring rich texture and historical flavor to your room.
- Typography and Graphic Art: Bold, playful, and full of personality, it can create a contemporary interior design for you.
Before you start hanging wall art, check the intrinsic connection between them. Common hues, textures, and even emotions may tie them together.
2. Finding Common Ground: A Recipe for Cohesion
What’s the key to making multiple art styles blend together? You need to find what they have in common. Just like mixing music genres to create the ideal playlist. You can also consider blending different art styles together. The same approach applies to decorating using various art styles.
You can find commonalities in wall art in several ways:
2.1 Color Harmony: The Ultimate Unity
- Identify 2–3 strong shades in your art decor.
- If your abstract artwork contains traces of gold, then look for pictures or minimalist prints with similar gold highlights.
- A black and white photograph is an excellent neutralizer. It can bridge the gap between bright and somber artwork.
2.2 Frame Consistency: The Unspoken Rule of Balance
- Matching frames give a stylish, sophisticated look.
- Mixing frame styles works best when one aspect of the frame is consistent. Examples include all black frames, all wood tones, or similar masking styles.
2.3 Thematic Connections: Unifying Styles
- Pair a variety of media with similar themes, such as floral artwork with nature photos.
- If you have travel photos, pair them with old travel posters. This gives a unified and varied effect.
2.4 Proportion and Placement: Keep the Visual Weight Balanced
- Large wall artwork should act as an anchor.
- To maintain balance, the heaviest visual elements should be placed at eye level or in the center of the gallery wall.
- Avoid placing all the bold pieces together. Instead, spread them out so they don't take over the room.
3. How to Arrange Artwork Without Clashing
If you have already chosen your pieces and found a common thread, then you should be ready to hang them up next. But where should you put all these different styles of wall art?
3.1 Consider a Symmetrical Layout: Structured and Formal
- To achieve a neat look, frames should be consistently spaced from each other.
- Works well with photography portfolios, minimalist artwork, and similarly sized pieces.
3.2 Asymmetrical Layouts: Creative and Eclectic
- Start with a large “anchor” piece and gradually add smaller pieces around it.
- Combine vertical and horizontal elements to create visual movement.
- Utilize negative space to allow breathing room for each element.
3.3 Gallery Walls: The Ultimate Art Mixing Technique
- Before hanging any wall art, lay it out on the floor.
- Use painters' tape to mark the location of each component.
- Keep some spacing between each frame, about 2–3 inches should do.
- Once you have determined the placement, hang them on the wall.
4. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcrowding: Not giving each piece of artwork room to breathe.
- Neglecting Proportions: Not adjusting the proportions of the artwork to the size of the space.
- Color Clash: Too many colors appear in the mixed wall artwork, resulting in a color clash.
- Mismatched Frames: Not adhering to a unified theme when choosing frames or liners.
- Random Placement: Not placing wall artwork according to the surrounding furniture and general layout.
5. Summarize
Ultimately, your home should reflect your own personal style. Therefore, mixing art styles is not about following certain design guidelines. Rather, it's about creating a space that reflects your personality, experiences, and creativity.
Find a common thread. Whether it's color, framing, or theme, having a unifying theme helps make different pieces feel unified. Then refer to the article for strategic layouts while avoiding common problems. Finally, trust your eyes and your senses. If it looks good and gives you pleasure, then it works!
If you still have issues, then you can take expert advice for your space. At 3d wood wall decor, our experts can help you match your art style to ensure that your space has both personality and organization.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
6.1 Can I display modern and traditional artwork on the same gallery wall?
Absolutely! Contrasting modern and traditional styles can produce an intriguing, well-curated look. The idea is to balance these elements, using similar color palettes or frames to connect them.
6.2 What can I do to keep a gallery wall from looking too busy?
Stick to a theme, whether it's a unified color scheme, theme, or frame style. In addition, leave appropriate gaps between adjacent wall artwork to create a balanced visual rhythm.
6.3 Can I mix digital prints with original paintings?
Yes, you can! Digital art and traditional paintings can co-exist. For contrast, they can be mixed with works of complementary textures. For example, put a matte digital print with a glossy oil painting.
6.4 How many different types of art can I incorporate into a space?
There are no set guidelines. But three or four different styles of artwork are a good starting point. Beyond that, uniform features can be used to maintain wholeness. For example, the color of the wall art, the style of the frame, or the theme.
Still figuring out wall art sizing? Check out our guide on the secret to choosing the perfect wall art size. Or browse more high-impact decor ideas for inspiration.