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Modern Wall Art
Wall art is a versatile type of home decor that classifies any piece of art or decor that you can hang on your walls. As with all types of art and decor, wall art is truly only limited by your (and your favorite artists’) imagination. Wall art is available in almost any size, from smaller than a playing card to larger than life, and can be made of paper, canvas, wood, metal, wool, fabric – practically any material. Wall art can be framed or unframed, and can depict any subject.
Abstract wall art pieces depicting indeterminate subjects made up of scattered or neatly organized flashes of color, geometric shapes, and straight or organic lines are popular in homes with modern interior design styles, though more traditional mediums, such as photography or drawings, can be just as appropriate in a minimalist space as they might be in a farmhouse or French-country space.
While some wall art pieces are original works, others are reprints, affordable art prints that allow you to hang otherwise priceless, museum-bound works of art in your home. It's an incredibly versatile type of decor that can break up blank wall space and add visual interest to any room. At Design Within Reach, shop modern and contemporary wall art that will help you fill your home with color and character.
Types of Modern Wall Art
Art Prints
As simple, high-quality prints of artwork by celebrated artists on thick paper, art prints are some of the most affordable pieces of modern wall art. Also called wall posters, art prints are sold as-is, without a frame or canvas, and can typically be hung using wall adhesives rather than nails or hooks. Art prints and wall posters are ideal for renters or early homeowners who would rather not poke holes in their walls or who aren’t ready to commit to more expensive modern wall art options. Though art prints aren’t protected by frames, the modern art prints offered at Design Within Reach are printed on museum-quality acid-free paper. At DWR, shop modern abstract wall art by designers such as Liz Roache and Ronan Bouroullec or browse punchy illustrations from Herman Miller’s archives.
Metal Wall Art
Often textured to give the piece a three-dimensional effect, metal wall art is unique wall art made to decorate your home in unexpected ways. A piece of metal wall art in the shape of an animal or abstract shape can be the perfect piece of wall decor to break up a geometric gallery wall or make a statement on its own above a mantel or above the head of a dining table. Some pieces of metal wall art are even intentionally made to cast a shadow behind them, adding to their lively effect. At DWR, shop playful metal wall art by Alexander Girard.
Framed Wall Art
Popular for its clean, sophisticated finish, framed wall art is decorative wall art that has been carefully framed for added durability and style. Framed art is typically protected from damage on multiple fronts. Protective layers may include a mounting mat board and paper or cork dust cover behind the art print, and a window mat board, glass pane, and frame over the front of the art print. Frames can come in a wide variety of sizes, thicknesses, and materials, with minimal black or white frames being popular for modern, minimalist, and abstract art. Anything from wall posters to photographs may be framed and hung on the wall; framed wall art is a broad category of wall art defined by its structure rather than its subject.
Textile Wall Art & Tapestries
Tapestries, wall hangings, and textile wall art pieces are wall art pieces made of fabric or fibers rather than paper, metal, wood, or other rigid materials. Textile wall art is popular in bohemian spaces with relaxed atmospheres for its natural, handmade feel. Tapestries tend to be thinner and larger than other types of textile wall art, while wall hangings are typically smaller and thicker, made of fibers that have been woven or knit together. Textile wall panels can come in a wide range of sizes and are sort of a medium between those two; they’re panels of linen or other fabric that has been screen-printed with a motif or design. At Design Within Reach, shop knit wall hangings, linen enrichment panels, and more.
How to Choose Wall Art
While the subject of the wall art you choose to decorate your home with is ultimately an expression of your personal taste, there are still a few tips to keep in mind when choosing wall art. First, it’s important to create a plan of action before you start hanging posters or tapestries on your wall. Foresight is essential to maximize the impact of the pieces you choose and to prevent your space from appearing off-kilter. It can be helpful to make a blueprint of your wall, with surrounding furniture blocked out, and draft up some potential wall art arrangements before you actually put any holes in your walls.
Start by centering large or oversized wall art above primary features in your space: the living room sofa, the mantel, the bed. Or space large pieces evenly along long walls or hallways. For an eclectic look, mix and match wall art of different sizes and shapes featuring different subjects; the contrast created by the pairing of a piece of abstract wall art with photography can be super compelling. It can be a good idea to maintain a general color palette as you choose your wall art pieces as well.