Designing a Space Around the Artwork You Love: Creating a Mood Board will Help

So, you've found the perfect artwork that speaks to you. It might be a striking abstract, a peaceful landscape, or a vibrant portrait. Now, the real challenge begins—how do you design your space around it?

Creating a mood board is one of the best ways to ensure your room complements and enhances your chosen artwork. A mood board isn't just about throwing random ideas together; it's about curating elements—like color, textures, and furniture—that support the artwork, creating a cohesive and balanced space.

In this post, we'll guide you through designing a mood board that fits the art you've already selected, ensuring your space feels harmonized, and your artwork truly shines.

Step 1: Let the Artwork Lead the Way

The first step is to establish your art as the anchor of your design. Since you’ve already selected the piece, it’s time to analyze it closely.

• Study the Colors: What colors are most prominent in your artwork? Are they warm, cool, or neutral? If your artwork has vibrant tones like bright reds or yellows, these will likely guide the color palette for your room. If the art is more muted, like pastels or earth tones, your mood board should incorporate similar hues to avoid overpowering the piece.
• Consider the Mood: Is the artwork calm and serene, or does it evoke energy and excitement? The overall vibe of the piece should influence the atmosphere of the room. A tranquil seascape might call for soft textures and neutral tones, while a bold abstract might pair well with strong contrasts and dynamic elements.
• The Style of the Art: Is your artwork contemporary, traditional, minimalist, or bohemian? The style of the art will dictate the room's overall aesthetic. For instance, modern artwork may look best in a sleek, minimalist space, while vintage or classical pieces may thrive in a room with more traditional furnishings.

Step 2: Select Your Color Palette

One of the most important aspects of creating a mood board to fit your art is ensuring the color palette complements the artwork. Here’s how you can get started:

• Pull Colors from the Artwork: Start by identifying the primary colors in your artwork using a website resource like colors.co. This could be anything from the tones in the background to the accents that stand out. Use these as your foundational colors for the room.
  • If your artwork has an intense blue hue, consider incorporating shades of blue into your walls, furniture, and accessories.
  • For a more abstract piece, take inspiration from a few key colors and use them to create an eclectic, layered look.
• Choose Complementary Colors: After identifying the dominant colors, consider complementary or contrasting colors. These will help balance the room and prevent the space from looking too "matchy-matchy." For example, if your artwork features warm oranges and yellows, consider balancing them with cooler tones, like grays or muted blues, in the decor.
• Test Out Color Combinations: Use tools like Canva, Adobe Spark, or even Pinterest to create digital mood boards that allow you to visualize the colors together. You can also experiment with physical swatches and fabric samples if you prefer a hands-on approach.

Step 3: Consider the Art's Texture and Movement

The texture and movement of the artwork are important factors that should influence your mood board. Whether the art is soft and flowing, bold and graphic, or textured and layered, the room’s textures should mirror or contrast in a way that complements the artwork.

• Soft and Flowing Art: Bring in light fabrics and smooth textures if your artwork has a soft, serene quality—like a peaceful landscape or abstract brushstrokes. Think velvet cushions, linen curtains, or plush rugs. These textures will mirror the gentle mood of the artwork.
• Bold Graphic Art: For bold graphic pieces like large geometric shapes or high-contrast black-and-white artwork, incorporate more structured or sleek textures in your decor. Think leather furniture, glossy finishes, or metal accents. These textures will reflect the sharpness and strength of the artwork.
• Textured Art: If the artwork has texture, such as thick brushstrokes, collage elements, or mixed media, bring that texture into your room through materials like raw wood, woven textiles, or matte ceramics. This can create a tactile connection between the art and the space.

Step 4: Choose Furniture and Accessories that Complement, Not Compete

Once you have your color palette and textures figured out, it’s time to consider furniture and accessories. The goal is to create a room where the art stands out without being overwhelmed by the furniture. Here’s how to make sure your furniture complements the artwork:

• Balance: If you have a large, bold painting, keep your furniture more neutral or understated. On the other hand, if your art is minimal, you can use more striking furniture or accessories to make the room feel dynamic.
• Scale: Make sure the furniture and accessories are scaled appropriately for the artwork. For instance, choose furniture that doesn't crowd the artwork if you’ve chosen a large, dramatic piece. Smaller art pieces might feel more at home with a fuller, more eclectic arrangement of decor.
• Functional Art: Add functional accessories, like a sleek side table or a designer lamp, that complement your artwork’s style. For example, a clean, modern, abstract piece might pair well with contemporary furniture, while a vintage landscape might look best with antique-inspired furniture and decor.

Step 5: Finalize Your Mood Board

Now that you’ve collected all the elements—colors, textures, furniture pieces—arrange them on your mood board with the artwork as your focal point. This final step is about seeing how everything flows together.

• Adjust and Refine: If something feels off, tweak the elements on the mood board. You may need a different texture, or the scale of the furniture needs adjustment. Play around with it until the mood board feels right and everything aligns with the artwork.
• Get Inspired: Look at your mood board as a collection of inspiring images. It should excite you about the final design and reassure you that every element works in harmony to support your artwork.

Step 6: Bring Your Vision to Life

Once your mood board is complete, use it as a guide to shop for furniture, paint colors, and accessories. As you bring the pieces into your space, always check back with your mood board to make sure everything feels true to the art’s style, colors, and mood.

Remember, the key to designing a room around art is supporting the piece, not overshadowing it. Your artwork is the show's star, and your mood board helps ensure the rest of the room’s design enhances its beauty and presence.

Conclusion

Designing a room around the artwork you love can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Creating a mood board that complements the art ensures that every element—from colors and textures to furniture and accessories—supports and enhances your chosen piece. Whether you’re decorating a living room, a bedroom, or a hallway, a thoughtfully designed mood board will help you create a space that feels cohesive, inspired, and truly special.

If you're in need of art to anchor your space, our artwork offers a range of pieces that can act as the perfect focal point for any room, helping you kick-start the design process.