Expert tips on selecting original pieces of art for your beach home to create a relaxing, welcoming environment.
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Coastal homes are already pieces of art on their own. So how do you choose wall art for a place like this? You’ll have some different considerations to think about — views, color palettes, weather, and how the space is being used — but with a little time and attention, you’ll be able to choose the perfect wall art for your coastal home.
We’ve enlisted some help from the experts over at Singulart for the art-picking process. “[Your coastal home] should be a place to disconnect from daily life and connect with objects and artworks that inspire you all around,” says Christophe Penasse, founder of design studio Masquespacio, adding that “most coastal homes are used for an encounter with family and friends for a relaxing moment.”
Singulart is an online art and design gallery that makes it easy to shop for original art by simply opening up your laptop. The website works with over 10,000 artists from around the world, so they have thousands upon thousands of pieces of original and fine artwork to check out. Some artists are emerging, while others are more established, so you’ll find works at every price point — from below $1,000 to above $10,000. Singulart sells art in all mediums, from paintings to sculpture to fiber art to photography.
Read on for a few of our top tips to help you get started with choosing wall art for a beach home. And afterwards, check out Singulart for some inspiration — you can even use their discover page to find out what you like and to get inspired.
Don’t overshadow the view.
In a coastal home, the best (and most expensive) piece of art should always be front and center — the view. Especially if you have an ocean view, you probably have a window or two that frames that view well. And in those rooms, let the view speak for itself! Don’t place a colorful, attention-grabbing painting on an adjacent wall where it’ll distract from the beautiful vista outside the window. “Art should harmonize not only with the key elements of the coastal home but also with the feeling that such a place evokes each time, creating a welcoming and refreshing atmosphere,” says artist Giovanni Sanesi.
You might want to enhance or complement the view, however, with a couple of smaller pieces on either side of a view-framing window. If there’s space, and if the small pieces are by the same artist and create a sense of symmetry, it’ll help you further highlight the view.
And sometimes, you might want to use the view as a foil. Say you have a large, blank wall on the opposite side of the room as a big window with a view — take that opportunity to play against that view with a piece of artwork that frames it. You might choose a large painting with calm, light, neutral colors that doesn’t overshadow the view, but rather complements it, so the rest of the room doesn’t feel too empty.
Choose colors inspired by nature.
Blues, grays, whites, and other neutral colors typically star in a beach house. And for good reason — they play well with the views outside and create a calm atmosphere for relaxing by the sea. And if your coastal house is already furnished, these colors likely already make up your palette, so consider calm and cool neutrals first when checking out art. “Opting for relaxing shades like cerulean, white, or green can evoke the relaxing atmosphere of the coast,” says Sanesi.
But remember that nature-inspired colors aren’t always blues and grays. Maybe you love the peach and orange of the sunset at the beach, or the vibrant green of the beach grass outside. Take inspiration from the colors around you that make you love your coastal home to choose art that makes you feel good.
While we’re all about choosing vibrant colors that speak to you, remember that oftentimes, less is more. We recommend soft or nature-inspired colors for coastal wall art to create a space that’s elegant, relaxing, and makes folks feel at home.
Consider direct sunlight.
Especially if you have large, view-framing windows, consider whether or not certain walls sit in direct sunlight. If a piece of wall art will see direct sun, you should choose oil paintings or acrylic paintings that’ll withstand sunlight well. On the other hand, avoid a photograph in direct light as it’ll fade in the sun. And, as a rule of thumb, it’s best to draw the blinds or minimize the amount of time any piece of art is in direct sunlight.
Consider the lighting in the room throughout the day, too, and how different types of light — sunrise, midday, golden hour — will affect the way a piece of art looks.
Think outside the box.
Coastal art doesn’t have to be all paintings of the ocean and photographs of seashells (although it can be, if you want!). Consider how you can evoke a coastal vibe with long lines, calming colors, nature themes, or other motifs that feel beachy without being too on the nose.
Consider all types of art, too. Bringing texture into a beach home makes it feel more whimsical and grounded in a sense of place, so we love frames made of natural ropes and textured tapestries that give a cozy vibe, along with accessories like wicker baskets and braided rope. Photographs work beautifully in a beach house, too — with the right subject, they can feel both playful and elevated, like artwork in a fancy coastal hotel. “We think here about materials like rattan, wood with light tones as well as the use of a lot of textiles and fabrics,” says Penasse.
Sculptures shouldn’t be overlooked, either. Sculpture art like vases become gorgeous standalone pieces or the perfect way to feature some pampas grass or some flowers that grow on your property.
Look into some of Singulart’s textile art, photography, and sculptures for more inspiration for wall art for your coastal home. And once you’re ready to buy, Singulart makes it stress-free to get your artwork, shipping it straight to you, fully insured. The online art gallery aims to revolutionize the world of art buying, helping folks more easily connect with and support artists from around the world.