How to choose art for emotional connection in home decor

Most of us were never taught how to buy art. We were taught how to match a sofa to a rug, how to measure for curtains and how to pick a paint color. But nobody handed us a guide for standing in front of a painting and trusting what we feel.

Thus, we opt for safety. We select what harmonizes with everything, choosing items that won't upset anyone who enters. We choose things that won't offend anyone. Then, we question why our walls appear dull and uninteresting, lacking impact and emotion.

From my experience as both an artist and a collector, I've learned that the paintings you cherish are those you selected because they evoked an emotion in you. You felt a connection with the artwork and the artist. Your choices were guided by instinct, not by a mood board.

1. Start with a feeling, not the measurement.

   Before entering a gallery, take a moment to consider: How do I want to feel when I enter my room? Focus on the presence of an emotion rather than its appearance. Reflect on what you need to feel at this moment.

That feeling serves as your compass. Each color and brushstroke should represent the emotion you wish to express in your home, whether it's wild or calm, joyful or somber. There's a color and palette for every emotion. Art that resonates emotionally doesn't need to coordinate with the furniture; it simply needs to align with the version of yourself you are becoming.

2. 
   

Allow your gaze to rest, then observe what draws you back

2. 
   

As you browse through work, allow yourself to quickly move through most of it. Your instincts are continuously sorting. However, when something catches your attention and slows you down, that's information worth noting. Let yourself examine it and revisit it later. If a painting captivates you repeatedly, it holds a deeper meaning that deserves analysis.

3. 
   

Select based on the life you are currently living, not the life you believe you ought to have.

There's a style of home decor that's so idealized it feels fictional. We purchase art that we believe a certain type of person would choose, rather than selecting pieces that truly resonate with us. However, that person doesn't live in your home—you do.

If you are experiencing a period of grief or change, the art that will support you is the art that resonates with your current state. Not the art that assures you everything will be fine, but the art that acknowledges the complexity of your situation and offers to share it with you.

The home that truly heals you isn't the one that showcases wellness, but the one that accommodates every aspect of your true self.