Decorating with original art: how an artwork transforms the spaces we inhabit

You probably have that wall in mind: the one you have been looking at for weeks, sensing that something is missing without knowing exactly what. This guide is for you. I am writing it not as a decorating manual, but from the other side—from the perspective of the person who creates the pieces that eventually live on those walls.

For me, decorating with art is not about filling gaps. It is about deciding how we want to inhabit the spaces where we spend our lives. Let us take it step by step.

First, a question: what does decorating mean?

I have always found the word “decorating” a little narrow. It suggests an accessory added at the end. An artwork is the opposite: it settles into your everyday life. You see it when you wake up, when you return home and while you talk on the phone. Over time, it stops being “a picture” and becomes part of how your home feels.

So try changing the question. Instead of “what should I put on this wall?”, ask “what do I want to feel when I enter this room?”. The rest becomes easier from there.

Bringing a sense of place home

My work grows from observing the landscapes of the Canary Islands and the traces we leave on them. Bringing an artwork home can therefore be a small act of reconnection: allowing a fragment of landscape, a seed or a flower into the rooms where we often live far from nature. In a hurried world, that quiet presence matters.

Choosing the work: begin with what makes you stop

Do not begin with dimensions or the colour of the sofa. Begin with yourself. Which works make you pause? That difficult-to-explain pull is the best compass. A piece that genuinely moves you does not go out of fashion, because fashion was never the reason you chose it.

Scale: give the artwork room to breathe

A broad wall asks for presence: one substantial work or a group of pieces that speak to one another. A corner or shelf may be the natural home of a sculpture, bringing volume and shadow without occupying the wall. The rule that rarely fails is to leave breathing room. The empty space around a work is part of it too.

Height: the eye-level rule

Most art is hung too high. A useful reference is to place the centre of the work at eye level, approximately 1.45–1.50 metres from the floor. Above furniture, leave a modest gap so the piece feels suspended rather than resting on it. Art at the right height is looked at; art placed too high is often overlooked.

Light: the invisible material

Light is another material. In the Canary Islands it can be intense and clear, shaping shadows on every surface. Indirect daylight or a small warm spotlight reveals textures that ceiling light may flatten. Avoid direct sun, which can fade colours over time, and notice how the work changes through the day.

Create dialogue, not a perfect colour match

Do not insist that an artwork “matches” the upholstery. Look for a dialogue with the room. A contemporary piece can refresh a traditional interior; an organic sculpture can soften a geometric space. Considered contrast gives a home character, while perfect matching can make it forgettable.

A journey through the home

Think about each room through the feeling you want there. The living room can hold your most ambitious piece. A bedroom often benefits from calm colours and a quiet presence; see the current selection of available original art. An entrance hall is the first sentence of a home, while a studio welcomes art that accompanies thought and work.

Finally: live with art, do not simply own it

It comes down to surrounding yourself with what makes you stop and look. An artwork is an invitation to inhabit the present more consciously. You do not need specialist knowledge. Choose what truly moves you, give it space, then care for that feeling through height, light and scale.

Frequently asked questions

How high should I hang an artwork?

Place its centre at eye level, roughly 1.45–1.50 metres from the floor. Leave a small gap above furniture.

Does art need to match the décor?

No. Contrast often works better. Aim for dialogue rather than a literal colour match.

What artwork works in each room?

Start with the feeling you want: presence in a living room or entrance, and quieter pieces in a bedroom.

Can I commission a work for my space?

Yes. I create commissioned artworks in response to your wall, light and home.

I am María Betancor, an artist and sculptor in the Canary Islands. Explore the available original art, learn more about my practice, or contact me about a commission.