Why do we need art in our homes?
It may seem like a simple question, with an even simpler answer. But, the real answer goes beyond the surface of just adding decoration or bringing color into the living room.
Here's why we all need a few special pieces of original artwork in our living spaces:
Art makes a home more human.
&#;The whole culture is telling you to hurry, while the art tells you to take your time. Listen to the art.&#; -Junot Diaz
Amongst all of the machine-made items in our homes, it&#;s nice to have something that can effortlessly bring life back into a room.
With a work of art, you can sense the time, effort, and skill that went into its creation. You may have even gotten the chance to meet the artist in person or hear the story behind the work. Even if you haven&#;t met the artist in person, seeing the fingerprints, brush strokes or marks on the work serves as a reminder of the person behind the work of art.
Art lets you express yourself and encourages dialogue.
&#;Art is a language meant to speak the things that can&#;t be said.&#; - John Demarco
Without needing words, art can be the perfect way to express who you are to both yourself and others.
Why? Art tells a story.
And, when you love a piece enough to hang it on your wall, that story speaks volumes about you.
Whether it&#;s your personality or what you value in life, art can be the perfect translator. This lets you forge deeper connections with those who come into your home.
Art helps us validate and recognize our emotion.
&#;Everyone discusses my art and pretends to understand&#;as if it were necessary to understand&#;when it is simply necessary to love.&#; - Claude Monet
Whether it&#;s a memory or a feeling, a piece of art can evoke powerful emotions when we look at it. Art can cheer us up after a bad day, make us remember, or inspire us to do more in life. It can provide comfort that we are not the only ones feeling a certain way.
Art provides a reflection back to us that enables us to chew on our own reactions, emotion, and thoughts. Whatever that emotion - positive or negative - it lets us know that we are not isolated in those thoughts.
Art stretches our boundaries and encourages growth.
&#;Art should be like a holiday: something to give a man the opportunity to see things differently and to change his point of view.&#; -Paul Klee
When art is more than decoration it challenges you intellectually, confronts preexisting ideas you may hold, and even makes you uncomfortable.
By leaning into these feelings, we push ourselves to think more openly, to challenge ourselves and to see the world from a different viewpoint. Having an artwork that has shifted our worldview in our own home is a daily reminder to question our habits and thoughts.
Art reminds us of what is possible.
&#;By doing what you love you inspire and awaken the hearts of others.&#; -Satsuki Shibayu
Seeing other people do what they love is inspiring. That&#;s why we follow Instagram accounts of artists, athletes, and yogis. Their passion is contagious.
It&#;s not hard to get stuck in a routine. So often we hear our friends, or even ourselves, saying something like, &#;I would paint more if I had time.&#; Or, that we will pursue these passions in retirement.
It is invigorating to see someone both creating and dedicating their time to what gives them the most joy in life. By pursuing these passions and working against the grain, they inspire us to do the same.
Art encourages us to be brave.
&#;I&#;ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life and I&#;ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing that I wanted to do.&#; - Georgia O&#;keefe
Being an artist is not an easy path. It often requires deep sacrifice both financially and socially for periods at a time.
It also opens us up to criticism. As anyone who has ever displayed a work of art, poetry, writing or even given a speech knows&#;putting yourself out there is making yourself vulnerable.
Having a work of art in your home encourages you to take risks and to embrace vulnerability&#;because the result is often something beautiful.
Art breathes life into a home.
&#;I don&#;t like to say I have given my life to art. I prefer to say art has given life to me.&#;- Frank Stella
Your home is &#;your place,&#; and that&#;s why decorating it to your liking is so important. You need to feel comfortable in your space! And, surrounding yourself with art you love will help you enjoy where you spend a majority of your time.
Plus, from a functional design standpoint, art acts as a focal point, makes a room appear finished, and immediately shows off your interests and ideals to visitors. By choosing to live with art, you are choosing to bring more life into your home.
We need art in our homes.
But, how do you find the perfect piece? Search through thousands of artists for a piece that speaks to you with Artwork Archive&#;s Discovery page. If you have something in mind, you can filter by price point, size, orientation, and keyword. You can even look for local artists near you to support your community.
Last weekend we delighted in the annual ritual of preparing our home for the festive season. With a personal preference for understated elegance, I like to keep things simple. My go-to choices are classic fairy lights, ornaments, and baubles, all within a carefully curated colour scheme of silver and purple. Yet, I soon realised this wasn&#;t going to cut it. My 4-year-old helper kept asking for inflatable snowmen and life-sized, twinkly reindeer!
While I haven&#;t (quite) given in just yet, my daughter&#;s demands led me to reflect on the importance of holiday decorations. Reviewing literature on the topic, I stumbled across an interesting study from , which suggests that holiday decorations are far more than festive embellishments. Decorations may be sending quiet messages about the homeowners and provide insights into their personality and sociability.
Christmas decorations as social signals
In a psychology experiment about holiday decorations, researchers from the University of Utah asked 58 undergraduate students to evaluate a set of 16 photographs, depicting different American homes and front yards. Photos included homes with or without Christmas decorations and homes belonging to residents that had self-reported either low or high levels of social interactions with their neighbours. Participants were asked to rate the sociability of the homeowners based on the photos, noting cues like decorations, upkeep, and the overall "lived-in" look. They were also asked to provide open-ended comments explaining their impressions. The study produced some interesting findings.
- Decorations as social cues. Participants consistently rated homes with Christmas decorations as more sociable and cohesive with their neighbours than undecorated ones. Decorations seemed to enhance the home's &#;warmth,&#; giving an impression of a family that values connection and community involvement.
- A surprising twist: Unsociable homeowners shine brighter. Interestingly, homes belonging to less socially active residents were rated as more open and sociable when decorated than the homes of their more social counterparts. For these less sociable homeowners, decorations appeared to act as an invitation&#;a way to express a desire to connect with neighbours or signal openness despite limited interactions.
Additionally, it was found that participants&#; impressions weren&#;t formed by decorations alone. Elements such as a home&#;s upkeep, its &#;lived-in&#; appearance (like visible footprints or open curtains), and its overall neatness played a significant role. Decorations amplified these impressions, but they were just one piece of a broader picture. A well-maintained home with thoughtfully placed decorations appeared welcoming, while a messy or neglected home didn&#;t benefit as much from festive flourishes.
Finally, one group of homeowners received particular attention in the study: so-called &#;residents in transition.&#; These were people who didn&#;t know many of their neighbours but expressed a desire to form connections. By decorating their homes, these individuals effectively communicated openness and an interest in neighbourhood integration. Their efforts didn&#;t go unnoticed&#;research participants consistently described their homes as more sociable and inviting than those of non-decorating, unsociable residents.
How to harness the power of holiday decorations
The study&#;s findings offer several practical insights for anyone looking to foster a sense of community through their home&#;s appearance this Christmas:
- Deck the halls with purpose: Festive decorations signal sociability, but they work best when paired with thoughtful touches like an inviting entryway or neatly trimmed landscaping.
- Keep it lived-in: Open curtains, visible signs of activity (like cars or lights), and personalised touches (such as wreaths or garden ornaments) can make a home feel approachable and warm.
- Neatness counts: A clean, well-maintained exterior communicates care and attention, which observers link to friendliness.
- Stay consistent: Decorations are most effective when they align with other cues, such as the home&#;s design and upkeep, to create a cohesive message of warmth and openness.
Beyond the lights: What this means for communities
While the findings stem from a relatively small piece of research published over 30 years ago, it is likely that the results still hold true today. Decorations appear to act as a bridge, fostering connections in neighbourhoods where people might otherwise remain distant. For communities, encouraging festive traditions like coordinated street decorations might even strengthen bonds and create a sense of belonging.
For individuals, the message is clear: what you put on display matters. Whether it&#;s Christmas lights, a front porch swing, or simply a well-maintained yard, these visible signals help shape how others perceive you and your home&#;s role in the neighbourhood. Christmas decorations don&#;t just bring joy; they tell a story about the people behind the door&#;a story of community, connection, and sometimes, the hope for more. So, as you hang your lights this year, consider the message they send and the connections they might help you build. I think I may just have to re-think my own approach to seasonal decorations and add a few additional twinkles to our front door.
Happy decorating&#;and happy holidays!
