The right size and placement of an art piece can spruce up and enliven a space, such as a wall-mounted sculpture installed in a highceilinged staircase next to your living room, shares Maena Ong, founder and art director of Mong Design Studio. “A portrait piece in comparison, would seem small on a big empty wall that’s more suitable for a large landscape artwork,” she says.

Ed Ong from Dwell Interior Design agrees. “Smaller pieces of artworks collected from your travels are good for foyers, stairways and corridors,” he says. For such narrow spaces, opt for a row of small photographic prints, or a long artwork that runs along the length of your corridor. “The easiest way to hang art in a row is to use artworks that are all the same size,” shares Meriana Liao, general manager from Lumas Singapore. “Hang them all at the same height, with equal distance between them. The horizontal row is an effective and classic way to hang art, and it even works in rooms with low ceilings.”

Another way to approach this is to surround yourself with the things you love and build the room decor around it. “Our clients often give us a blank canvas with the instruction to include a favourite painting. This is often the perfect starting point,” says Nikki Hunt, principal and founder of interior design firm Design Intervention. For one client, it was a glowering portrait in the living room whose commanding presence was further intensified by an over-sized frame that visually extended its proportions. The sofa over which it hung was deliberately kept plain and matched with a zebra-striped ottoman to echo the African theme in the room.

Jazz Chong, owner and director of Ode to Art agrees. “A collection of artworks should be carefully thought out and reflect the style of their owners,” she says. She recommends visiting galleries to gain a deeper understanding of the artists behind different types of works and how the pieces would fit inside your home. “Instead of seeking the hottest artist in the market, get to know yourself better and select paintings that grow on you with time. Make plans to visit art galleries and museum exhibitions, and schedule your holidays around art fairs such as Switzerland’s Art Basel, the Frieze Art Fair in London and the Shanghai Art Fair,” she says. “Talk to galleries and museum docents, and read up on art history and contemporary art news.”

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After you’ve decided on the placement of your art piece, think about ways to let your decor scheme enhance its setting. This could mean selecting furnishing fabrics, as well as accessories in similar shades and patterns that echo details featured on the painting. In another project by Design Intervention, a colourful painting inspired the vibrant coral and green tones of the room, creating an exuberant spring vibe. Conversely, you can keep decorative elements to a minimum to let your artwork speak for itself. “If it is a striking piece of art, let it shine by keeping the other pieces of furniture and the background simple. A dark background also allows artworks to stand out,” says Hunt.