It’s easy to fall into the habit of seeing our rooms only for what they do. The kitchen is for cooking. The living room is for watching television. The office is for working. Functional, yes. But a little uninspired.
The magic happens when you start thinking about how a room could feel rather than just what it’s for.
A kitchen that sparks creativity with colour. A living room that feels alive with warmth. An office that calms a busy mind. Suddenly, your spaces stop being four walls with a purpose and start becoming experiences in their own right.
And one of the most powerful ways to set that feeling? Art.
The right piece can change the mood of a room in an instant, bringing calm to chaos, sparking joy in the everyday or simply making you pause to smile.
So how do you get started? Here are a few ideas to help you choose art that turns functional rooms into spaces you truly love.
Begin with the mood
Before you think about size or colour, pause and ask: how do I want this room to feel? Do you want to add calm into your bedroom, energy into your kitchen, or warmth into your living room? Art anchors emotion. When you know the mood, the right piece often finds you.
Play with colour and texture
Forget about matching your cushions. A burst of bold colour in the kitchen can inspire creativity, while soft, earthy tones in the bedroom create calm. Texture can shift a space too. Wood, ceramics and even paper cut-outs can add depth and character that paint alone often can’t.
Think about placement, not just size
A large canvas can ground a living room but a cluster of smaller works can turn an empty hallway into a welcoming entry point. Art doesn’t need to be hung at eye level either. Lean it against a wall, place it on a shelf or let it surprise you in unexpected corners. Balance comes from feeling, not formulas.
Don’t forget the ‘in-between’ spaces
Bathrooms, stairwells, laundries and hallways are full of untapped potential. A joyful print above the bath, a sculpture at the top of the stairs, even something cheeky near the washing machine can turn overlooked corners into highlights of your home.
Let art live with you
Ceramics, textiles and sculptures aren’t meant to hide away. A handmade vase on the dining table, a ceramic cup holding your toothbrush or a sculptural bookend on your shelf make creativity part of your everyday rituals. These are the little details that make a house feel like a home.
Whether you’re craving calm or chasing energy, choosing art with feeling in mind turns your home from a set of rooms into a space that truly serves you.
And if you’re ready to begin, Affordable Art Fair Sydney returns 6–9 November 2025 at Carriageworks. The easiest, most joyful way to discover the piece that feels like it was always meant for your home all along.
Georgia Huestis is the Affordable Art Fair Australia Fair Director