The maximalist movement is having a moment these days, with more and more interior design Pinterest boards featuring stunning mash-ups of seemingly divergent styles that somehow seem to work. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be much of a maximalist, you can still take cues from these boards and maximalist-leaning interior designers to combine art collections with differing styles within a single space.
These cues are all the more important if you collect contemporary wall art, photos, and illustrations from a variety of artists. Not a lot of art enthusiasts have the luxury of having ample wall space or separate rooms to show off a tightly curated art collection within just one style. Even in cases where display space is available, it might still be challenging to find a unifying element amidst a mix of different works and art movements.
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Fortunately, combining art styles and getting them to work coherently is possible if you’re willing to follow a few established principles. Try these pointers to bring together your seemingly divergent art pieces and create a harmonious whole:
Use Similar Frames
If your artworks are all conventional wall-mounted pieces, using similar frame designs for all of them is a relatively straightforward way to easily bring all of them together without things looking too out of place. If you have a collection of unique art prints, photos, and illustrations, adding a glass or acrylic glaze can further sell the cohesive look.
Group Artworks by Theme
Style groupings aren’t the only way to bring cohesion to a collection. Artworks can also be tied together according to subject, era, or even relationships between artists—the possibilities are limitless. Once common themes are established, art collections can become cohesive even if they do not share the same aesthetics. When combined with the other tips on this list, casual observers may not even realise that the art pieces in the collection have different styles.
Integrate Subtle Unifying Elements in Your Display Area
Intentionally designed maximalist interiors tend to have unifying elements that keep them from becoming visually overwhelming. For instance, a relatively tight colour palette or pattern scheme throughout the room can tie everything together. You can use the same idea to make all your different artworks achieve seeming visual continuity when they share a space.
Fortunately, you don’t have to restrict yourself to just painting your walls or changing your artworks’ frames. You can also achieve cohesion by integrating coordinated accent pillows, large area rugs, or adding accent furniture and sculptures that echo the motifs present in your art collection.
Use The Contrast to Create Tension
Cohesion is great, but truly remarkable living spaces often employ some tension and contrast to create visual depth and interest. For instance, you can pair bold, expressive pieces with more subdued artworks to create a sense of balance and tension. Do note that contrast is a bit easy to overdo if you have artworks in divergent styles, so it makes sense to occasionally step back and see if you need to rein in things a little.
Consider the Relative Scale of Your Different Pieces
Coming off the previous tip, the relative sizes of your artworks matter almost as much as the specific styles they have. For example, if you have a large number of framed A4-sized pieces, they will probably still look great on a wall even if they all have different styles. On the other hand, if you pair them with a particularly large movie poster-sized artwork, things can start to look a bit funny—unless you consciously arrange them so that their relative scales are balanced.
When hanging different-sized artworks on the wall, be mindful of the spacing between each piece and how their visual proportions relate to the walls and surrounding furniture. Experiment with different configurations until you find a layout that feels reasonably balanced.
Trust Yourself
Always remember that you’re decorating a personal space, not a public art gallery. The only real rule is to create an arrangement that you and the other people you share your home with will enjoy. Because you’re the one who has to live in the space, you must trust yourself to know what you want and not worry too much about what other people might think when they see it. Have fun with the process and know that you can always change things up if you have to.
Putting the Pieces Together in Your Living Space
Achieving cohesion with diverse art collections is not a precise formula. Finding an arrangement that works may result in some gaffes, but this is normal and can be part of discovering what you truly value in your collection. With these time-tested tips, you will no doubt come up with an idiosyncratic yet cohesive display that provides glimpses into your eclectic tastes and personality.
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