Choosing the Perfect Oil Painting for Your Home or Office

Choosing the perfect oil painting for your home or office doesn’t have to be a daunting experience. Here’s what you need to know.

choosing the perfect oil painting
The painting featured in this photo is titled “The Large White Dog” by Teresa Bernard.

Are you looking for some oil paintings to adorn the walls in your home, workspace, or corporate office? Before heading out the door to find that fabulous canvas art to accent your décor, there are a few things you will need to consider first. Here are some tips on choosing the perfect oil painting for your home or office.

5 Tips on Choosing the Perfect Oil Painting

Tip #1: Size

The first thing that needs to be considered in choosing the perfect oil painting is the size of the space where your artwork will be displayed. This can be done by taking measurements of the wall space or area. If it is a large area, you will want a larger painting; a smaller area requires a smaller one. This is an important step that should not be neglected. If you purchase a painting and it doesn’t fit in the space, you will be unhappy with your selection. Too small, and the painting looks lost and out of place in all that empty wall space. Too large, and the painting will appear crowded in the space or won’t even fit the space at all. Therefore, it is a good idea to measure your wall space before shopping for wall art.

Tip #2: Color

The color scheme in your home or office needs to be considered as well. Your painting should complement the colors in the room, unless you are going for harsh contrasts. You might not be happy if the colors in your new painting clash with your sofa instead of complimenting it. Also, keep in mind that colors play an essential role in setting moods. Choose calming colors, such as light blues and greens, for bedrooms and areas where relaxation is essential. Bold colors work well in rooms and spaces where conversation and entertainment take place.

Tip #3: Style

The next thing to consider is the style of your décor. Is it contemporary, traditional, or a combination of both? Why not mix and match? Not everything in your home needs to match or be the same. Think about mixing up patterns, textures, and even eras. If your home is an older home with traditional décor, a piece of modern art might look great! And the same goes for a vintage-style painting in a contemporary setting. Remember to have fun; at the end of the day, all that matters is that you love it.

Tip #4: Subject

Next, think about what types of subject matter interest you in a painting. Still life, landscapes, seascapes, or wildlife? Paintings of faraway places or local hangouts? People perhaps. Art can be a great conversation starter between you and visitors. You can choose a painting that is different or makes a bold statement. It can be fun to see what type of reaction your family and visitors will have upon seeing the painting for the first time.

Tip #5: Purpose

Make sure you buy something you love. Take your time to decide what it is you like in a piece of art. What type of paintings are you naturally drawn to? Is it a particular style, artist, or period? Browsing through galleries, museums, art books, and websites will help you decide. This will be necessary if you are considering buying art as an investment. Keep in mind that paintings will take a long time to go up in value, so it is best to buy a painting because you love it rather than waiting for it to be worth a lot of money someday.

Once you have something in mind, you will be able to find just the right oil painting to suit your needs and bring you and your family years of enjoyment.

You May Also Like

FROM THE EDITORS: We hope you enjoyed this blog about choosing the perfect oil painting and found it’s information to be useful. We’re sure you’ll enjoy the fine art paintings below too. For more information and details, click or tap the thumbnail link.

contemporary still life
Still Life with Red and Yellow Onions (2021) 
18″ w x 18″ h
wild bird paintings
Flamingo and Chick
(2023)
12″ w x 12″ h
inanimate objects in art
Three Rustic Jugs
(2021)
12″ w x 9″ h

Art Gallery Quick Links

Flowers     |     Landscapes     |     Marine     |     People

Space Art     |     Still Life     |     Wildlife

Additional Reading

Affordable Oil Paintings on Canvas

Small Paintings for Small Spaces

Southwest Paintings NOT by Teresa Bernard

More information about this topic and many others can be found in My Artist Blog Index. Check it out!

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