Abstract art is having a moment – in ways that stretch far beyond the walls of modern art museums. Instead, these non-objective statements are taking over our homes in the shape of kaleidoscopic floors, metallic accessories, and exquisitely layered hues that transform your interiors into a Pablo Picasso-inspired paradise.
With its sumptuous shapes and spectrum of colors, this maximalist interior design trend is a carnival of creativity across the art and decor industry – but its daring aesthetic can be hard to curate. Here, designers share their expert styling tips to leave your home feeling more like MoMA and less like an art retreat gone wrong.
Why is abstract art trending?
As our homes slowly become more sociable (in ways beyond video calls), rug designer Sonya Winner suggests that the abstract art trend allows us to reflect our personal positively and enrich our spaces with joy.
'The current abstract trend in interior design has arisen from our need to make our homes inspiring and uplifting. Now that we can welcome people back into our homes, it is increasingly important that the space around us serves as a tangible extension of our personality and the part of ourselves that we want to share,' she explains.
Designer and founder of Andrew Martin, Martin Waller, notes the trend's ability to break down boundaries and allow you to reclaim your space whilst celebrating a range of influences.
'Abstract design transcends a singular style. It is an amalgamation of eras, cultures, and looks until there are no longer boundaries,' he shares. 'It is just as much about surprising the viewer, encouraging them to use their creativity to understand the space.' This is the arty interior design tip our spaces have been waiting for.
Five ways to style the abstract art trend
1. Begin with block colors
What is the secret to the allure of abstract art? Sonya suggests starting by injecting block colors to create a more maximalist scheme.
'You can add abstract energy to your home by creating an eclectic, maximalism interior, with colors and interest everywhere. Or, introduce a carefully curated range of accent block colors and geometric shapes into an otherwise neutral room,' she says.
One way to combine these daring hues with statement shapes is through a rug, such as the design by Sonya below.
2. Take your art from the wall to the floor
While Sonya may have already inspired us to take this trend to the floor, Residential Design Manager at Brintons, Jodie Hatton, similarly provokes us to rethink the placement of these bold prints. In the discussion of her living room rug ideas, she reminds us to 'stick to a similar color palette' when mixing and matching patterns and playing with the trend in adjacent rooms.
'For example, a soft, delicate pattern in silvers, grays, and stones will naturally sit well against grays or beiges in a plain range – creating a seamless transition from both patterns to plain and room to room. To create a balanced color scheme, it is important to consider the composition of colors within the palette, rather than addressing colors individually,' she says.
3. Go bold with an abstract wall mural
If the abstract art trend is among your favorite design styles of the season – or you are looking to create a transformative statement instantly – an abstract art mural is the answer.
'The use of murals allows traditional methods such as hand-painted art and abstract sculpture to take its moment in the limelight. They also give individuals and industries the impact and bespoke difference they are looking for in today's competitive marketplace,' shares co-founder of Ophelia Blake Interior Design, Scarlett Blakey.
Among our favorite abstract prints is the geometric masterpiece by Fromental above. These flowing shapes epitomize the trend and exemplify how the artistic statement can be interpreted in a range of color palettes. This is the wallpaper idea we're mirroring for the rest of the season and beyond.
4. Experiment with pre-existing decor
Martin Waller is a self-confessed admirer of the abstract art trend, but what would be his starting point for bringing these designs into your home? To use things that are already there.
'Take one piece – whether it be your childhood teddy bear or a singular flick of color in a painting on your wall – and around it play with materials and color, exploring the possibilities of clashing and coordinating to let the piece tell its story,' he suggests.
5. Make a magic finish with metallics and majestic mirrors
'More is more in terms of layering textures and colors,' Martin explains. For a mystical twist on this creative craze, he recommends using mirrors and metallic finishes that are 'important to play with the sense of reality, surrealism and reflection.' Though, above all, 'don't hold back.'
It's time to change your home into an art-filled haven, one audacious hue, and sumptuous shape at a time.
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