Transforming Your Home Into An Art Gallery

To Every Room There Is A Season

The best thing about decorating is that it’s all up to you. If anything deserves to be specifically catered to your taste, style, imagination, and even demands it’s your own personal space. Easier said than done, I know. Too many choices can feel a bit daunting, especially if you’re starting from scratch. I mean, you’re not an interior designer are you? Who put you in charge?!

Take a deep breath. Decorating is something we’re doing all the time, even when we don’t realize we’re doing it. Picked out a chair you liked? You’re decorating! Matched some curtains to your rugs? Look at you decorating! It’s really that simple. And the same process applies to choosing the artwork that decorates your walls.

A still pond surrounded by red, green and yellow plants and shrubs during autumn.

All the colors of autumn seem to come together in the center of Tumwater Canyon each year near Leavenworth, Washington. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.

Take a quick tour of your own home. As you’re wandering around, blank walls staring down at you a little judgmentally, what do you notice about each room? What’s the vibe or feeling when you enter? Is your bedroom cozy? Is your living room warm and inviting? Or new and modern? Does your office space make you feel inspired?

First, figure out the overall “theme” or feeling of each room. Then, decide if you like the feeling of that room. Are you looking to enhance the feeling you already have or create a new vibe entirely? Starting yourself off with these simple, basic questions and ruminations will give you an idea of where to start your art search.

The Tides

Fine Art Limited Edition of 50 - Beautiful soft morning light falls across the California coastline near Big Sur in this fine art photograph captured by Aaron Reed.

The Bedroom: Your Personal Sanctuary

In general, the bedroom is thought of as a retreat, as a place we go for peace, calm, and relaxation at the end of a hard day. Anything you can do to add an extra layer of peace and quiet will go a long way toward making you feel reenergized and rejuvenated.

Soothing nature photography can really help you in this room. Landscape photography and photographs with natural, calming colors will enhance the overall feelings of relaxation you’re looking for -- not only because they’re pleasing to look at, but because viewing nature is simply good for our mental health. Consider forest or ocean scenes that convey a deep sense of relaxation and retreat.

From an interior design perspective, large scale pieces work best in the bedroom because they can hang directly over the bed or on the wall opposite the bed as a focal point for the entire room. Centering the room around a large scale photograph ties the room together and indicates in a dramatic way the tone you’ve established for the space.

Into The Fire Panoramic

Transform your space with Aaron Reed's luxury fine art photography print, Into The Fire, from his Panoramic Wall Art collection. Order yours today! Fine Art Limited Edition of 100.

The Living Room: Your Gathering Place

The living room can feel like your most daunting task because it’s the room you and your guests are likely to spend the most time in. Choosing the right piece plays a pivotal role in establishing the feeling of the room or provoking the right conversation when you’re gathered there.

While one of the greatest benefits of acrylic float mounted nature photography is its ability to be displayed frameless, adding a finely crafted frame will cause the piece you choose to command even more attention, which might be just what you need as the centerpiece of your most important room. Without a doubt, a large nature photography print will always strike up a conversation.

A photograph of a Japanese Maple tree with expansive branches and red leaves during fall.

The Portland Japanese garden boasts multiple maple trees, but none more famous than this lace leaf maple photographed at the height of autumn. Fine Art Limited Edition of 200.

A fully framed piece can definitely add a finishing touch and a luxurious feel to a piece of art or photography. A frame can also enhance and tie together the natural materials in your space by selecting a color that compliments your wood floors or draws attention to your dramatic stone fireplace.

When it comes to your living room, going bold, but intentional is always a good idea, as this room serves as the centerpiece of your entire home. Make sure to enhance whatever art you choose in a way that is striking and appropriate for the space, allowing the room to feel polished and put together for everyone to enjoy.

A grove of redwood trees in the fog and flowers inside Damnation Creek in California.

The wonderful mystery and mood of the coastal Redwoods in the state of California. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.

The Office: Your Private Lair

Okay, so while your office doesn’t have to be where you calculate evil plots or launch the Batmobile, it should feel like a comfortable, deeply personal space. It should also lend itself to productivity; odds are, you’re trying to get some kind of work done in there!

Photography is a great way to personalize your space and keep you inspired. Choose images that speak to you or inspire some sort of emotion in you. Favorite locations you’ve traveled, places you hope to visit one day, or pieces with colors and textures that make you feel something can all make your office space feel inspired and alive.

Experiment with different sizes and styles so that your space always feels fresh and full of possibility. Making this space diverse and creative should hopefully inspire the best in you and maximize your productivity!

Sandamonium

Fine Art Limited Edition of 50 - An abstract fine art photography print by artist Aaron Reed.

You Are the Master of Your Destiny… the Decorator of Your Walls

While these are just a few ideas for a few of your many rooms, the choice is ultimately yours. You get to decide how every room in your home feels. This should feel fun and rewarding, not daunting! If you’re looking for more tips on interior design and generally choosing the right art for your home, I’ve got lots of thoughts to share with you. Alternatively, if you’re looking for some expert advice (if I do say so myself), feel free to contact me at any time and I’ll help you pick the perfect piece for absolutely every room in the house.

Sleepy Hollow

Fine Art Limited Edition of 100 - The first rays of the morning sun shine through the fog of this tree lined road in North Bend, Washington.

The Crown

Create a window into nature with Aaron Reed's limited edition photography print, The Crown, from his Mountains & Meadows Photography collection. Order yours today! Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.