How to Craft a More Artsy Home
Crafting the home of your dreams takes time and more than a little dedication. As you work on creating a perfect home, you might want to get the essentials out of the way first; this might include making any necessary repairs to your plumbing system or hiring a roofer for an initial inspection. But once you’ve tackled the basics, it’s time to start developing a home that you can see yourself living in for years to come.
One of the best ways to create a home you adore is by making the space unique. As you start hanging decorations, buying rugs, and choosing furniture, you should think about the role that art plays in your life. After all, an artistic person won’t be happy with a cookie-cutter home that you might see in a magazine. Rather, creating a more artsy home will unlock the key to your happiness.
Many people might think that creating an artsy home relies solely on buying pieces of stunning art, but this is only one component of establishing a more artful home. There are plenty of unique ways to make your humble abode into the artsy space you’ve always wanted.
Here are some of the top tips you should consider when you’re looking for ways to create an artsy home.
Focus on the walls
Creating an artsy home starts with identifying your favorite pieces of art with which you can adorn your walls. For some, that’s investing in timeless fine arts pieces in gorgeous picture frames. For others, that might mean framing some of their most important memories in the form of photographs. Images are among the top ways that humans express themselves so it makes sense that you would want to surround your home with beautiful imagery and the people you care about.
But creating an artful home doesn’t stop there. Your walls are blank canvases that can be riddled with self-expression. Along with paintings and photographs, you can also invest in beautiful mirrors. These items will serve the dual purpose of looking great and making your home seem even bigger. This is an ideal option for the bedroom where you can display your favorite pieces of diamond rings, accessories, and more.
Some folks might hate the look of wall art. In this case, investing in cool shelves to display your books, knickknacks, awards, and sculptures. Most people simply think of plain, flat shelves, but there are countless options out there nowadays. You can opt for geometric shelves or even shelves that look like books. Some even have hooks or towel bars to serve as a more functional addition in the household.
The importance of decorating your walls cannot be understated. Your walls are your canvas on which to express your favorite aesthetics and emotions. Whether that means slathering every inch of space with artwork or sticking to a single, meaningful piece, every artsy home needs some work on the walls.
Don’t neglect your floors
Your floors are another overlooked aspect of your artistic home. Hardwood floors serve as a great blank slate. This means that your guests will pay more attention to your walls or furniture than the floor upon which they are walking. This also gives you the unique opportunity to adorn the space with a stylish Persian rug or another kind of accent rug.
If you want to make your floor work for you, however, you might need to invest in new flooring. Ugly kitchen laminate has scorned the design industry for too long. If you’re remodeling your home, now is the perfect time to invest in natural stones, unique hardwoods, and stunning patterns. Just keep in mind that a particularly unique floor has the potential to crowd a space; if you’re opting for something unique, make sure that your furniture, cupboards, and appliances compliment your design choices. A total overhaul might demand that you invest in trash removal services when you’re ready to get your hands dirty since it’s unlikely that your floorboards will fit in your trash can.
Bolster your lighting
The lighting in a home can say a lot about the space, whether the home relies primarily on ceiling lights or standing lamps. If you’re looking to craft a more artsy home, investing in your lighting can be a great next step.
After all, the lighting sets the tone of the room. You can’t imagine a romantic night in seated under ghoulish fluorescents, can you? As you start developing your space, think about what you want your lights to do. Do you want a chandelier that makes a statement above your dining room table? Do you want a lamp on your end table that takes the shape of your favorite cartoon character? Whatever you decide, lighting can play an important role in developing the vibe of your space.
This is especially true when it comes to outdoor lighting. You might want to invest in lawn lights to highlight walkways or establish twinkling lights on your backyard patio. But the way you get your power also matters. Solar panels are a great way to minimize your reliance on electric companies that charge too much. If you want to achieve more independence from the grid, investing in solar panels for your roof and solar-powered outdoor lights can save you energy and look great to boot.
Speaking of the roof…
Most homeowners know that the outside of your home matters just as much as the inside. When you want your home to make a great first impression, the roof is one of the first aspects of your home that guests will see.
Solar panels offer a technologically-savvy appearance. And since they’re helping your home become a more eco-friendly space, this unique look is artful in its own right. But if you wanted a more visually appealing home without solar panels, you can always change up your shingles.
Most asphalt shingles are made in a dark shade that prevents light from reflecting back into the sky. This can cause your home’s temperature to go up since the light will be absorbed. It’s typically cheaper to buy uniform shingles, as well. But if you want to make an artsy home, why not have fun with your roof?
Opting for an array of different shingle colors can make your home into a functional mosaic. Not only do unique shingles make your house look better, but they can also reflect more light and cool your home. Try experimenting with shades of tan, orange, black, grey, and even blue when you invest in shingle replacement. A bespeckled look is cute if you don’t have any designs in mind.
While you’re at it, it might be worth it to update your home’s siding, too. This is especially important if you live in a location that experiences inclement weather. A single issue with one of your home’s pieces of siding could result in water damage. If it isn’t dealt with quickly, this could adversely affect the structural integrity of your home. A nice new paint job will look great while you’re at it.
Invest in your backyard
An artful home is beautiful both inside and out. When you want to improve your aesthetics outside of the home, focussing on hardscaping could be your saving grace.
After all, a freshly mowed lawn only does so much in terms of visual appeal. A garden, on the other hand, is another step up. But a terraced garden with a walkway leading to the patio can make a simple yard into a garden oasis.
Hardscaping refers to the stone and hard landscaping materials used in your yard. They can provide structure to your backyard and help you create a more visually appealing space. Some common hardscaping options include:
- A gazebo to sip tea in the evenings
- A concrete or brick patio to set up your lawn chairs and grill
- Stone walkways, stairs, and garden paths
- Wooden or wrought iron fences for increased privacy
- Stone water fountains
- And so much more
Hardscaping might also incorporate statues, knickknacks, and other non-living features in your garden. Many people situate a statue of a cat or dog to honor a fallen pet while parents will proudly display painted rocks designed by their children. If you wanted to try your hand at hardscaping yourself, you can even go to a scrap metal recycling company to get your hands on some malleable metals. If the project fails, you can always give it back to the recycling company to start fresh.
Your backyard is the perfect space to welcome guests and experiment with different art pieces. During this period of quarantine, it’s likely that you haven’t spent too much time outside. Clean up your backyard this summer to make the most of your space while the weather is nice. You might even want to start a new project. What can you make with storage containers? A new shed, a playhouse for your kids, or even a new dog house. The sky is the limit when it comes to using your backyard for fun and function.
Invest in specific themes
An artsy home could have a mishmash of your favorite styles, but some stick to a specific theme. You might have seen the classic sailing theme in your friend’s parent’s house growing up. While stuffing all of your seashell-themed items in one spot can cute, more often than not, it can be interpreted as a little lazy. The best way to honor a theme is by carrying out a design throughout the space and not necessarily loading it with knickknacks.
For example, one of the best ways to pay homage to a certain theme is through color. In that beach example, it might be worth painting the walls a light blue and laying down a white rug to resemble the surf. This will give the room a relaxing vibe without actually needing to hang a giant picture of a beach. In that same vein, you can also adorn your walls with artwork and pictures in frames that resemble driftwood or another aspect of the same theme. An accent color can also make a world of difference if you’re getting tired of repeating the same blues, grays, and whites everywhere.
If you’re stuck trying to think of a certain theme, analyze the pieces in your home that you already own. When push comes to shove, hiring an interior designer can also help you craft a more artsy home that you will love for years to come.
Creating an artsy home
Artsy homes look different from person to person and that’s half the beauty of adopting an artful design aesthetic. Whether you prefer the look of a minimalist design or the chaos of mismatched artwork, designing a space should be something you love to do. Rely on these tips when you want to make the most of your home by transforming it into a piece of art.
