How to match walls with art (and vice versa)

When decorating your interior, nothing brings the entire space together quite like the walls and floors. Yet many people fall into the trap of filling their interior with sofas, tables and cushions. Left bare, walls and floors can make a room feel incomplete or lacking.

Combining works of art and rugs in a manner that balance each other can introduce warmth and character, impacting the overall design and feel of your space. They are an excellent opportunity to create flow in a room – and are one of the first things guests notice when entering your home.

Tastefully matching a rug to an artwork is an important aspect of decorating a room. Like a great wine and food pairing, combining a lush rug with an exciting artwork can instantly elevate an interior, resulting in a striking and memorable home. A new carpet or rug should not only complement any existing furniture, but also suit any artworks in the space (and vice versa)

Pairing art with rugs should be based on complementary attributes of the items. You don’t have to stick to the same interior style, either; a traditional oriental rug can couple beautifully with a pop of digital art – like the Flowering Gum and Bottlebrush duo – whereas a modern weave of colour can create a striking contrast against a wall of black and white photography.

The key to selecting artworks and rugs that will produce balance is to ensure your choices aren’t competing with each other. Each artwork should complement the area rug – having more than one bold statement piece will only overwhelm the space. While your home should reflect your personality, there is a fine line between character and disharmony. Choosing the right colours and patterns can create balance in a room without compromising on personal preference.

Keep in mind that when it comes to rugs, you aren’t limited to the floor for placement. Rug tapestries can look particularly striking hung up on a wall. Likewise, wall art does not have to be pinned to a wall – it can be leaned against the wall or added to a console table vignette.