More often than not, there's a wall in every room that begs for a beautifully framed piece of art. My tendency is to create a focal point in a room by making wall art oversized and centered. However, I've noticed that more and more designers are flipping this idea on its head, and it's made me rethink everything I thought about framing and placing wall art.
Instead of the classic look that dominates the walls of the main bedroom or the chimney breast of the living room, minimalists in particular prefer smaller, off-center frames. The result is disruptive yet simple, allowing you to create character on your walls without overwhelming your space. Also, attention is drawn to the color and texture of the walls and other decorations of the room, which in a minimalist scheme are either carefully considered or absent.
It's a clean, minimalist aesthetic that's stylish and simple, but is it easy to recreate at home? And are there any downsides? We asked interior designers to find out more about this interior design trend.
What kind of room is this minimalist wall art trend suitable for?
(Image credit: Madeline Harper. Design: Emily Lauren Interiors)
The oversized, off-center look lends itself well to minimalist schemes, and works especially well with chimney breasts. Our eyes are used to seeing large wall art or TVs in living rooms, but going small makes a statement and draws the eye. This is how designer Emily Brown of Emily Lauren Interiors styled her minimalist living room and fireplace.
“We love placing smaller pieces of art off-center,” says Emily. “The asymmetrical position adds charm and a unique, unexpected quality.” However, like most minimalist trends, it's not just a matter of copying and pasting the look; What you do is important. ”
“The size creates an unexpected pause, drawing you in to look at the work and inviting a moment of reflection,” says Emily. In that sense, framing and arranging wall art in this way creates a calming atmosphere and transforms the room into a sanctuary. While large wall art may detract from the relaxed feel of a room with its bold presence, smaller frames create an intimate, cozy feel.
This isn't just limited to the living room, it's also a great strategy you can employ when decorating your bedroom. Smaller, off-center wall art also looks great on a bed or bedside table.
Do you have any styling tips?
(Image credit: Rich Stapleton, design: Colin King)
So how do you choose the best wall art to mimic this particular look? When you're a minimalist, the emphasis is on shape and texture rather than overtly detailed, artistic paintings. Remember, it's all about simple, calming minimalism. So choose graphic patterns, linoprints, or geometric shapes, and when in doubt, tone down the colors. Black, dark brown, inky blue, and white might be good palettes to take cues from.
In minimalist homes, you may have also seen framed fabric swatches or patterns carved from the movement of thick paint or plaster. In a minimalist living room, where you need to rely heavily on texture to give the necessary depth, textured art looks beautiful.
(Image credit: Nicole Franzen. Design: Ursino Interiors)
Don't forget that the frame is equally important. When creating wall art of this scale, the frame will take up much of the minimal space provided. I like thick dark wood, but if you're looking for a little more flair, a thick gold frame would look dramatic. However, think about how the frame you choose will affect your print.
If you want to recreate the look to bring a minimalist feel, avoid anything colorful and use natural materials. In this example by Ursino Interiors, the look is all about the shape of the frame. Designers also used assemblages of pieces to create interest through shapes and patterns.
“This particular wall was an opportunity to add a quirky touch to an otherwise tailored room,” explains Maureen Ursino of Ursino Interiors. “Knowing that a small contemporary sconce is centered above a symmetrical sideboard, a small antique Florentine gilt holder is placed to add visual interest and unexpected asymmetry.'' I decided to hang the mirrors in groups.”
Also think about the rest of your scheme and how it will work with your chosen art. If you're looking for a calming aesthetic, consider lime paint or microcement walls that bring that texture and minimalist color.
Are there any downsides to this minimalist style?
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)
However, this look is not suitable for everyone and also has some drawbacks. If you're considering this look, there are a few things to consider. If your room is already busy and full of decorations, it may look a little strange. In fact, it is important to note that this look is suitable only for minimalist rooms with less decoration and a calm color palette.
It may also look boring. For a living room mantel, for example, a way to get the best of both worlds is to lean a large piece of wall art against the chimney parapet and place a smaller framed piece on top of one of the corners. I like this casual aesthetic and it mixes the two styles harmoniously.
3 minimalist wall art pieces to try right now
Dimensions: 8.5″ x 8.5″
Price: $108
small framed black and white
Dimensions: 8″ x 8″.
Price: $400
Orara Studio Modern Bamboo Frame Wall Art
Dimensions: 12″ x 12″.
Price: $49.49