The Art On The Walls Tells Your Story

The landscape art on the wall in a bedroom designed in this Seattle, Washington home by Sherri Monte, interior designer at, Elegant Simplicity.

Out of the corner of your eye, you spot a gorgeous piece of art? The colors, the shapes…  they tempt you closer. Happy tingles zing through your body, and you think, “Where have you been all my life?” 

Talk about a first impression! 

I think we’ve all encountered art that is stop-you-in-your-tracks good, and when it’s good, it's really good. But what we find so often is that many people don’t have an art collection like this in their home. 

Do you have art that you actually look at, or has it faded into the background of life like so many other things?

If the answer to the question above is no, babe, this is a convo we need to have! Cuz, beyond jaw-droppin’, love-at-first-sight, you deserve a home that you’ll oooh + ahhh over every. single. day.

A home that reminds you of your past but inspires your future. 

A home that’s everything you need + nothing more®

And you know what? 

Art on the walls, tells your story. 

It’s a big part of how we make the magic of home—happen! 

Art is one of the most powerful ways to elevate the look and feel of a home. 

Not only does it add visual interest and beauty, but it also has the ability to stir up emotions, moods, and evoke memories. Ready to dive into how art on the walls can transform your home?

Well then, come closer friend, because we think you’re ready to hear this…


“Art has the power to not merely beautify a space but to influence the movement or stillness of the mood” quote about art on walls in Bellevue, Washington homes by Sherri Monte, interior designer at, Elegant Simplicity.

Art Evokes Emotions and Moods In Your Home

Remember when we shared this insightful post about the emotional impact of color in your home? (If you haven’t read it already, it’s a good one!) Well, art has the same saucy effects up its sleeve. 

Emotional. Impact.

For instance, you can choose pieces of art that bring a sense of calm and tranquility to your bedroom, or choose bright and cheerful pieces for your family room to create a welcoming and uplifting atmosphere. 

When selecting art, it's important to consider the feeling that you want the art on the walls to evoke in your home.

And that’s because art visually communicates emotion and influences the ambiance of a room. By carefully selecting pieces that align with the mood you wish to create, you can have a profound impact on the energy of your home.

For example, you may choose calming and serene paintings or photographs for your bedroom to create a peaceful and restful environment. On the other hand, you could opt for bright and bold abstract pieces to bring energy and excitement to your living room.

When we help curate art, we not only know where the piece will go on the walls but we’re in tune with how we’d like people to feel when they're in the space.

After all, art reflects personal taste and style. Regardless of style, art on the walls has the power to make a home feel uniquely yours. It helps layer in personality + character to your home.

So yes friend, art has the ability to evoke emotions and shape the moods of a room, and certainly choosing the right pieces can greatly impact the overall feel of your home.


Art Harmonizes The Color Palette Of Your Home

Another dashing trick up art’s sleeve is harmonizing the colors of a room or your entire home. In fact, the right piece of art can tie together the different colors and patterns in a room by creating a cohesive and balanced look. 

Whether you prefer bold and bright pieces or soft and muted tones, the color of the artwork can be used to bring your home decor to life. 

But how? Well… one strategy when choosing art to harmonize the color palette in your room or home is to consider the dominant colors in the space and find pieces that complement them. 

For example, if you have a room with biophilic tones, you could choose a piece of art that incorporates colors found in nature. You could also choose pieces that feature a neutral color, such as beige or white to help balance out the space. By choosing art that incorporates similar colors as the rest of the room, you bring a sense of unity and balance to your home.

While not all pieces of artwork will be a good fit in every room, art is versatile. So you want to consider the size and placement of the art as well as the overall aesthetics of the room, when selecting the perfect piece.

In doing so, you’ll have everyone saying, “dayumm this home looks good!” *wink*


Artwork on a mantle in a living room designed in this Seattle, Washington home by Sherri Monte, interior designer at, Elegant Simplicity.

Art Adds Movement or Stillness to Your Space

Yep, I know. How could it get any better? But it does, my friend, it does. 

In addition to color harmony, art can also be used to add movement or stillness to a room. 

A beachy landscape painting, for example, can bring a sense of gentle movement and relaxation to a space, while also adding depth and a feeling of spaciousness. By choosing art that has a sense of movement or stillness, you can control the visual energy of a room.

Similarly, still life paintings and abstract works can add a sense of stillness and stability to a room. This type of art on the walls can anchor a space and create a calming and grounding effect. 

Art has the power to not merely beautify a space but to influence the movement or stillness of the mood. 

Whether you choose (or as your full service design firm - we choose) a piece of art that adds movement or stillness, the choice can impact the overall feel of a room, making it more inviting and enjoyable. 

Um, YES PLEASE! That’s pretty darn incredible, if you ask us!

Art On The Walls Makes Your Home Unique

You want a space that makes your heart smile with pleasure… not a carbon copy of Debbie-down-the-street’s *wink*

Art is a great way to make your home feel unique and personal to you. 

Whether you choose to commission custom pieces of art, curate an art collection that has immense value in the world, purchase pieces from local artists or simply frame family photos with the local art shop — adding art to your walls is a great way to express personality, style + create a uniquely defined home. 

By incorporating art that speaks to you on a personal level, you can create a space that feels like it truly represents you.

If you’re working with us, of course we’ll leave you with a space that’s a love story + your guilty pleasure all at once. But the question still remains… How can art on the walls make your home unique?

Art can reflect your travels.

Art can reflect your interests.

Unique art can reflect cultural backgrounds.

Whatever the case, art on the walls in your home should add meaning and depth to your home.

In fact, whether you choose a traditional painting, modern sculpture, or something in between, the possibilities are endless when it comes to using art to make your home feel truly unique and special. 

Art Inspires Conversation In Your Home

Art can be a great conversation starter. 

Whether you choose a statement piece or a collection of photos, art has the ability to spark conversations because displaying it on your walls shares your values and memories with those in your home.

In fact, your friends or family might admire a piece of art and ask specifically about its meaning to you. The art in your home can bring people together and encourage them to share ideas or opinions.

Adding art to your home can not only help create a warm and inviting atmosphere but can bring back fond memories cherishing a time that makes you closer together. 

At Elegant Simplicity, we like to say that by incorporating art into your home, you can create a space that not only looks beautiful but also fosters connection and truly promotes meaningful conversation with those you love.


Art on the wall in a living room designed in this Bellevue, Washington home by Sherri Monte, interior designer at, Elegant Simplicity.

Art As A Focal Point In Your Home

Art can serve as a focal point in your home that ties together different elements in a space. Now, we’ve written a ton about focal points in design so if you haven’t already check that out. 

But art can be used to draw attention to specific areas in a room. To highlight unique design features and to be THE thing that your eye (+ the guests in your home) naturally gravitate towards.

What Is Art

Ah yes, one of life’s big questions *wink*

Lawd knows we could write a dissertation on what art is :) so I’ll leave you with this…

Art can be anything that inspires and moves you. Art is a form of expression that affords us another way to communicate ideas, thoughts, emotions, and experiences.

From paintings and drawings, to sculptures and photographs, art is a personal expression of creativity. What's most important is how it makes you feel. If it brings you joy and inspiration, then perhaps it’s the right piece of art for your home. If you’re not sure if the tingles are real, they’re real friend so trust the tingles! *wink*

Art on the walls is a powerful tool for conveying what you value so don’t be afraid to embrace it :) You don’t have to be an art collector to appreciate the art on the walls in your home. Art is simply a way to incorporate beauty + meaning into the space that means so much to you, your home.

Well friend, there you have it...everything you need to know about adding art to your home! And don’t forget, if you’re in the preliminary planning stages of your next project, let’s chat

Psst… You can also check out our FREE Video Course:4 Days To A More Beautiful + Functional Home which, if you enjoyed these moments together, we know you will absolutely LOVE!