Paintings and drawings can affect the way in which we perceive a room. If you’ve ever walked into a newly renovated house and felt something was missing, the chances are it was artwork. Paintings and prints can often be the missing piece of the jigsaw when it comes to finishing off your interior. Art comes our way in many shapes and forms. It does not need to be an expensive piece of fine art to add drama and impact to your home – how it is hung and where is the key.

Invest in a picture light
As with any design, lighting choices are important and will make a difference to your design. Whatever your decor choices – antique brass, contemporary chrome or industrial metal – there is a light out there to fit your style and it does not have to cost a fortune. A picture light will ensure your artwork looks just as good in the evening as it does during the day. Designs with adjustable heads make it easy to highlight your artwork exactly the way you wish.

Think ahead
Art is often an afterthought – the last thing we think about after the rest of the decorating is completed. Try turning this process around by choosing the wall art first, and use its colours as the inspiration for your room’s palette.

Prop it
Pictures propped on a mantelpiece, shelf or radiator cover, or even on the floor, can look really smart. Paint shelves the same colour as your walls – this will allow the artwork to take centre stage. A picture frame painted in the same colour as the wall also encourages the picture to stand out.

Go large
A single piece of oversized artwork can look brilliant hung alone, as the eye will easily be drawn to the subject. If you’ve found the perfect piece but it just isn’t big enough for the wall you had in mind, mount it onto a large frame to avoid it looking lost. In an open-plan room, you can use art to create distinct areas, each with their own vibe.

Uniformed
Frames chosen in differing shapes and sizes but in the same colour and grouped together will avoid smaller pieces looking lost and will contribute to a monochromatic colour scheme. Alternatively, a variety of different coloured frames mounted together in a uniformed line will add fun and interest to any room. Place small prints in a neat vertical line butted against the edge of a pillar or doorway. This will look stylish and help define areas within an open-plan living space.