How to Choose and Display Art for Your Home: An Interior Designer’s Guide

Art is full of contradictions — it’s deeply personal yet universally understood, as satisfying as good cinema and as thought-provoking as great literature.

I grew up surrounded by art, so it always felt natural and wonderful — simply part of what made a home feel alive. But it wasn’t until decades later, when my husband and I moved into our first home together, that I truly understood how much thought (and energy!) goes into deciding what should go up on your walls and how to display it.

Over the years, we’ve collected pieces that reflect our shared passions and distinct personalities. Choosing what you’ll live with and look at every day can be intimidating — but it doesn’t have to be. My husband and I have developed a simple “system” for collecting and curating art, and I’d love to share it with you to help you bring more character, story, and personality into your interiors.

1. Dig Into Your Own History

One of the best ways to find art that truly resonates is to start with your own story. Look for artists, galleries, or online platforms connected to your heritage, passions, or past experiences — whether that’s your hometown, a love of dance, astronomy, or even strange sea creatures.

When you find an artwork that feels like it reflects a part of yourself — through its subject, style, or emotion — you’ve found something worth living with.

2. Look Around You: Support Local Artists

Your local community is often the most rewarding place to discover art. Many neighborhoods and towns host open studio events where artists open their studio doors to visitors — the perfect opportunity to find something that speaks to you.

If you live in Paris, for example, many quartiers hold annual “portes ouvertes” weekends where you can explore local art scenes and meet the creators behind the work. 

3. Mix in Affordable, Reproducible Art

Not every piece needs to be an original. Sometimes, you just need beautiful, accessible decor to fill a wall and complement your home’s style.
There are many curated platforms that offer high-quality prints in different sizes and finishes — framed, unframed, on paper, or canvas — allowing you to customize for your space. If you live in France, you might also know the treasures to be found at your weekly brocante, or the more occasional vide greniers!

4. Where (and How) to Display Art in Your Home

Once you’ve chosen pieces you love, placement makes all the difference. Here are some general tips for displaying art around your home:

Dining Rooms / Living Rooms: Perfect for a gallery wall or a single large statement piece.
Bedrooms: Choose calm, soothing works — either a pair over the headboard or a horizontal landscape piece.
Children’s Rooms: Invest in solid frames that let you easily swap art as your children grow and their tastes evolve - this is also the perfect way to display their own artwork !
Hallways: Create rhythm with a family of similar works in identical frames, evenly spaced.
Kitchens & Bathrooms: Great spaces for playful, quirky pieces or typography-based art.

5. Remember: What Speaks to You Is Personal

There’s no right or wrong when it comes to art in your home. The best interiors tell a story — and art is one of the most personal ways to express yours. Whether you’re collecting original works, supporting local artists, or curating affordable prints, your choices will shape a home that feels uniquely you.

At Atelier Varenne, I love helping my clients integrate art into their interiors — balancing their personal expression with design harmony. Get in touch to discuss how we can help you style your home with art that tells your story!