How to Use Artwork to Make Buyers Fall in Love With Your Home
When selling your home, it's all about emotion and creating a connection with your buyers. The right artwork will do exactly that
Deb Lindner
3 December 2014
Houzz contributor. Deb's design career really began at age nine, when she told her mother that her lilac walls really did NOT match her olive green carpet, and things needed to change. She was right. Ever since that day Deb has been designing everything with a passion. She worked as a graphic designer for 16 years in Melbourne (working with multinational companies on 'big brand' packaging). Her clients included Gillette, Kraft, Cussons and Orlando Wyndham.
In 2008 Deb was looking for a new challenge and discovered the wonderful world of property styling - and Mink Home Staging was born. Then in 2011 she founded The Australian Institute of Home Stagers. She lives in Brisbane (in a Queenslander of course) with her husband, 2 kids and an assortment of pets.
Houzz contributor. Deb's design career really began at age nine, when she told her... More
Let’s be clear. This is not about choosing art for your personal, creative self-expression, or designing a unique space for you and your family to enjoy in the years to come. That is a completely different subject. I know this from personal experience because my sister, who is a successful artist (living in the south of France, poor thing), gets very annoyed when fine art – or ‘real art’ – is confused with ‘wall-decor’.
Instead, we are talking about the best way to present your home for sale. The best way to create a warm, inviting interior that appeals to your buyers. Bare, uninviting walls are not the best option (they make a home feel cold and unloved – it feels as though something is ‘missing’). And buyers won’t be wowed by walls that are jam-packed with your personal travel photos either! (They feel cluttered and are extremely distracting.) What’s interesting is that you can use either ‘fine art’ or ‘wall-decor’ when styling for sale. The important part is getting that feel-good factor.
It seems that many sellers often struggle with the best way to use artwork when selling, and are confused about what to use … and also where to put it. I have outlined some of the most common mistakes I see, and offer 15 tried and tested guidelines to displaying artwork that will really make your buyers fall in love with your home. When they walk in it will just ‘feel right’.
Instead, we are talking about the best way to present your home for sale. The best way to create a warm, inviting interior that appeals to your buyers. Bare, uninviting walls are not the best option (they make a home feel cold and unloved – it feels as though something is ‘missing’). And buyers won’t be wowed by walls that are jam-packed with your personal travel photos either! (They feel cluttered and are extremely distracting.) What’s interesting is that you can use either ‘fine art’ or ‘wall-decor’ when styling for sale. The important part is getting that feel-good factor.
It seems that many sellers often struggle with the best way to use artwork when selling, and are confused about what to use … and also where to put it. I have outlined some of the most common mistakes I see, and offer 15 tried and tested guidelines to displaying artwork that will really make your buyers fall in love with your home. When they walk in it will just ‘feel right’.
1. Keep it simple
Don’t use too many pieces in a room. Remember, less is often more. One of the most common changes sellers need to make is taking down some of the excess pieces. When we live in a home, we display (and enjoy) many of our treasured pieces, but when we are selling, it’s important to remove our strong personality and simplify our spaces. In most rooms, I would recommend only using one or two pieces of art. Avoid using lots of small canvases scattered around the room as this will just create that cluttered look we are trying to avoid – and that makes buyers feel uncomfortable.
Don’t use too many pieces in a room. Remember, less is often more. One of the most common changes sellers need to make is taking down some of the excess pieces. When we live in a home, we display (and enjoy) many of our treasured pieces, but when we are selling, it’s important to remove our strong personality and simplify our spaces. In most rooms, I would recommend only using one or two pieces of art. Avoid using lots of small canvases scattered around the room as this will just create that cluttered look we are trying to avoid – and that makes buyers feel uncomfortable.
2. Position, position, position
Before you hang anything, walk through your property and take note of its best features. What do you want your buyers to really focus on? Where will their eyes fall as they enter the home? Walk along the hallway or enter any room. These are the key areas you want to showcase and where you should be displaying art.
Before you hang anything, walk through your property and take note of its best features. What do you want your buyers to really focus on? Where will their eyes fall as they enter the home? Walk along the hallway or enter any room. These are the key areas you want to showcase and where you should be displaying art.
3. Size counts
When hanging art, you obviously need to select the right size for
the right room – they can be too large, too small or JUST Right. Let’s shoot for just right.
A common mistake I see is artwork that is too small for the room. Firstly, you need to consider the overall size of the room and choose pieces that create enough interest but don’t dominate the room. Also, avoid placing a small artwork on a massive wall or over a large piece of furniture. For example, if you’re hanging a picture above a couch, a good rule of thumb is that the length of the canvas is at least two-thirds the length of the couch.
BONUS TIP: Avoid using artwork that is wider than the furniture below it.
When hanging art, you obviously need to select the right size for
the right room – they can be too large, too small or JUST Right. Let’s shoot for just right.
A common mistake I see is artwork that is too small for the room. Firstly, you need to consider the overall size of the room and choose pieces that create enough interest but don’t dominate the room. Also, avoid placing a small artwork on a massive wall or over a large piece of furniture. For example, if you’re hanging a picture above a couch, a good rule of thumb is that the length of the canvas is at least two-thirds the length of the couch.
BONUS TIP: Avoid using artwork that is wider than the furniture below it.
4. Create a strong first impression
Use a beautiful piece of artwork in your entry to immediately create an impact with buyers. Generally, one bold piece works well and, if there’s room, you can also add a console table and a few key accessories to really create a strong statement.
Use a beautiful piece of artwork in your entry to immediately create an impact with buyers. Generally, one bold piece works well and, if there’s room, you can also add a console table and a few key accessories to really create a strong statement.
5. Position your artwork after your furniture
Another good rule of thumb is to strategically position all of your large pieces of furniture in the room first (so that they make the space feel as spacious as possible). Then position your art so that it’s centred above the furniture – rather than centring it on the wall itself. Artwork should be positioned in relation to the furniture so it creates one simple focal point, rather than ‘scattering’ attention. This also creates a place for the eye to ‘rest’ and gives the room that feel-good factor.
Another good rule of thumb is to strategically position all of your large pieces of furniture in the room first (so that they make the space feel as spacious as possible). Then position your art so that it’s centred above the furniture – rather than centring it on the wall itself. Artwork should be positioned in relation to the furniture so it creates one simple focal point, rather than ‘scattering’ attention. This also creates a place for the eye to ‘rest’ and gives the room that feel-good factor.
6. Hang it at eye level
I often see artwork that has been hung way too high on the wall. This is a common mistake, and it’s a problem for two reasons: it draws attention up towards the ceiling (instead of in the main living part of the room), and it tends to make the art appear smaller and insignificant. Instead, position your artwork at eye level, which means you will look at the centre of it from either a sitting or standing position. This is especially true above sofas and dining tables – the artwork should be positioned about 30cm above the top of the chairs.
I often see artwork that has been hung way too high on the wall. This is a common mistake, and it’s a problem for two reasons: it draws attention up towards the ceiling (instead of in the main living part of the room), and it tends to make the art appear smaller and insignificant. Instead, position your artwork at eye level, which means you will look at the centre of it from either a sitting or standing position. This is especially true above sofas and dining tables – the artwork should be positioned about 30cm above the top of the chairs.
7. Match the artwork to the property
This is simple. Think about the overall style of your home, which buyers it will appeal to, and then make sure the style of the artwork matches too. It then looks like it belongs, and creates a consistent story for your buyers. In this example, the property is strong and very contemporary, so the graphic piece of art is a perfect match.
This is simple. Think about the overall style of your home, which buyers it will appeal to, and then make sure the style of the artwork matches too. It then looks like it belongs, and creates a consistent story for your buyers. In this example, the property is strong and very contemporary, so the graphic piece of art is a perfect match.
In this example, the home is more classic and understated, and the artwork is more traditional. It too matches the home well, using more subtle colours, traditional frames and also a more formal layout.
8. Not too personal
I recommend using neutral subject matter when selecting art – nothing too personal that may offend a buyer. Preferably no strong nudes, religious motifs or too many family photos. Save those personal statements for when you are decorating your own home. I prefer simple, colour abstracts or mirrors. These will add interest and energy WITHOUT turning off your potential buyers.
I recommend using neutral subject matter when selecting art – nothing too personal that may offend a buyer. Preferably no strong nudes, religious motifs or too many family photos. Save those personal statements for when you are decorating your own home. I prefer simple, colour abstracts or mirrors. These will add interest and energy WITHOUT turning off your potential buyers.
9. Choose colours that work
It’s important that you select artwork that will not clash with your existing decor, but instead play to its strengths and create a sense of harmony and integrity. This does not mean that it must match every colour in the room and look ‘too perfect’. (We call this ‘matchy-matchy’ and it’s a big turn-off as it lacks real warmth and appeal.)
Also consider whether your room needs a strong piece of colourful feature artwork to bring it all together (as seen in this image). Or perhaps the room is already quite busy and something more subtle would work better. Experiment with a few different options, and you will soon see what works best.
It’s important that you select artwork that will not clash with your existing decor, but instead play to its strengths and create a sense of harmony and integrity. This does not mean that it must match every colour in the room and look ‘too perfect’. (We call this ‘matchy-matchy’ and it’s a big turn-off as it lacks real warmth and appeal.)
Also consider whether your room needs a strong piece of colourful feature artwork to bring it all together (as seen in this image). Or perhaps the room is already quite busy and something more subtle would work better. Experiment with a few different options, and you will soon see what works best.
10. Group smaller pieces
If you decide to use smaller pieces (maybe because that is what you already have), it’s a good idea to hang them close together to create a ‘grouping’ or collage. Again, this looks stronger than scattered pieces, and creates a focal point for the room. Experiment with a few different layouts, and remember to match the style of your home, using a more formal, symmetrical layout for a traditional room or a more asymmetrical, eclectic layout for a casual feel.
Read more: 10 Artful Gallery Ideas That’ll Wake Up Your Walls
If you decide to use smaller pieces (maybe because that is what you already have), it’s a good idea to hang them close together to create a ‘grouping’ or collage. Again, this looks stronger than scattered pieces, and creates a focal point for the room. Experiment with a few different layouts, and remember to match the style of your home, using a more formal, symmetrical layout for a traditional room or a more asymmetrical, eclectic layout for a casual feel.
Read more: 10 Artful Gallery Ideas That’ll Wake Up Your Walls
11. Stack it, don’t hang it
A great option for a more informal look is to lean your artwork on a picture ledge, office desk, kids’ room, on a mantle or even create a bold statement with a large, feature piece leaning against the living room wall. Of course, this depends on the style of your property and whether your target buyers would find this fresher approach appealing.
A great option for a more informal look is to lean your artwork on a picture ledge, office desk, kids’ room, on a mantle or even create a bold statement with a large, feature piece leaning against the living room wall. Of course, this depends on the style of your property and whether your target buyers would find this fresher approach appealing.
12. Create a gallery
Sometimes, the first thing buyers see is a long, narrow hallway with no real wow factor. This is not super-inspiring… A great idea in this situation is to create a beautiful ‘gallery’ effect. Hang a series of frames and position them along one wall. This will add immediate interest and draw attention into your home. Ideally, these pieces will have some consistency of theme, such as a series of landscapes or abstracts – or even consistent frames or colours – but this is not essential.
Read more: Making an Entrance: 10 Hallways With Heart
Sometimes, the first thing buyers see is a long, narrow hallway with no real wow factor. This is not super-inspiring… A great idea in this situation is to create a beautiful ‘gallery’ effect. Hang a series of frames and position them along one wall. This will add immediate interest and draw attention into your home. Ideally, these pieces will have some consistency of theme, such as a series of landscapes or abstracts – or even consistent frames or colours – but this is not essential.
Read more: Making an Entrance: 10 Hallways With Heart
13. Use mirrors
Mirrors are a fabulous way to make rooms look larger, lighter and brighter, so you can use them to add dimension and reflect light in your rooms. Another good tip is to place mirrors so they reflect something beautiful – for instance, reflecting the garden outside (bringing the outside in), a beautiful, bright piece of artwork on the opposite side of the room or a fabulous vase of colourful flowers. By positioning a mirror to reflect these things, you are doubling their impact in the room. Mirrors look great in entryways, over hallway tables and, of course, over fireplaces.
Mirrors are a fabulous way to make rooms look larger, lighter and brighter, so you can use them to add dimension and reflect light in your rooms. Another good tip is to place mirrors so they reflect something beautiful – for instance, reflecting the garden outside (bringing the outside in), a beautiful, bright piece of artwork on the opposite side of the room or a fabulous vase of colourful flowers. By positioning a mirror to reflect these things, you are doubling their impact in the room. Mirrors look great in entryways, over hallway tables and, of course, over fireplaces.
14. Think outside the box
It doesn’t need to be expensive to look great. There are many budget-friendly options available. Consider using posters (as in this example), inexpensive prints finished in simple, white frames, staple wallpaper or your favourite fabric over a timber frame, or even create a collage of small mirrors. What’s important is that you consider the size, colour and style of the artwork and ensure it is well-positioned so that it enhances and showcases the best aspects of a room.
Read more: Got Itchy Feet? Embrace the Travel Bug at Home With Maps
It doesn’t need to be expensive to look great. There are many budget-friendly options available. Consider using posters (as in this example), inexpensive prints finished in simple, white frames, staple wallpaper or your favourite fabric over a timber frame, or even create a collage of small mirrors. What’s important is that you consider the size, colour and style of the artwork and ensure it is well-positioned so that it enhances and showcases the best aspects of a room.
Read more: Got Itchy Feet? Embrace the Travel Bug at Home With Maps
15. Art works outside too
Keep in mind that exactly the same principles apply for your outdoor living areas. These spaces are a super-important part of the Australian lifestyle, and a well-presented outdoor room will definitely add value to your home.
YOUR SAY
Where do you go to find great art? Share your secrets in the comments.
MORE
Curate Your Own Art Gallery at Home
Work of Art: How to Rustle Up a Masterpiece
Weekend DIY Project: Art in a Book
Stylish Ways to Display Your Children’s Art
Keep in mind that exactly the same principles apply for your outdoor living areas. These spaces are a super-important part of the Australian lifestyle, and a well-presented outdoor room will definitely add value to your home.
YOUR SAY
Where do you go to find great art? Share your secrets in the comments.
MORE
Curate Your Own Art Gallery at Home
Work of Art: How to Rustle Up a Masterpiece
Weekend DIY Project: Art in a Book
Stylish Ways to Display Your Children’s Art
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Happy to help you with ideas. Kate