Getting that Designer Look with Abstract Art

The Lazy Person’s Guide

Most of us would love our homes to look like they've been plucked straight from the pages of a glossy interior design magazine. You know the kind – all serene colour palettes, plumped cushions, and some jaw-droppingly cool artwork casually hanging on the wall...

But if you're anything like me, you also want this without spending a fortune, hiring a stylist, or moving furniture every five minutes like you're filming your own version of Changing Rooms (Is Changing Rooms still a thing? I might be showing my age here!)

The solution? Modern art for interior design. Specifically, abstract art – the ultimate shortcut for turning a space from “meh” to “ooh, fancy!” And no, you don’t need to know anything about art history, or pretend you're decoding some profound political message. My kind of abstract art is about making your home look beautiful, and helping you (and your guests) feel relaxed and happy just by looking at it.

So, if you’re a lazy decorator (no judgement – same here), but you still want your place to have some of that designer vibe, grab a cuppa and read on...

What Is Abstract Art (and why should you care)?

Abstract art is versatile, varied, and goes with everything. It doesn’t try to look like real life. It doesn’t tell you what to feel. It’s more about colour, texture, shapes and energy. Which makes it the perfect partner for interior design.

Because modern art for interior design doesn’t need to be complicated. It just has to make you feel good, tie a room together and, ideally, make your guests do that slow nod of appreciation and say, “Love this piece, where did you get it?”

And here's the best bit – you don’t even have to be an art collector or a gallery-goer. If you like it, and it makes your space feel more you, then it’s the right piece for your home.

Intuitive Art That Feels as Good as It Looks

I'll pull back the curtain a little on how I create my own art. Spoiler: there’s no complex masterplan. I don’t start with a sketch, or a deep spiritual vision. It’s a bit like cooking without a recipe – I chuck in a bit of this, a dash of that, and keep layering it up until it just feels right.

My process is completely intuitive. I never really know how a painting will turn out when I begin. Sometimes it starts off moody and brooding and ends up all light and breezy (a bit like me after my first coffee). Other times, I go in thinking I’m painting one thing and come out with something completely different. It’s just about flow, rhythm and whatever colours or textures are making me happy in the moment.

And yes, I want it to look beautiful. I love colour, I love painting, and I want to make pieces that people genuinely enjoy having in their homes.

How to Make Your Home Look Designer (With Minimal Effort)

Okey doke, so let’s talk about you and your home. Here’s how to use abstract art to zhuzh up your space without lifting anything heavier than a picture frame.

1. Start With the Mood

Think about how you want to feel in a room. Do you want your living room to feel calm and soothing? Or energetic and creative? Abstract art can set the tone instantly.

• Soft pastels or gentle neutrals can make a room feel peaceful and airy.
• Bold splashes of colour can energise a space and add some sass.
• Monochrome or earthy tones are great for a more modern, minimalist look.

Choose art that gives you the emotional vibe you're after – not what someone else says is “in”. Trust your gut. It’s always right when it comes to art. And if you choose a piece you love, rather than something that is trendy at that particular moment, then it won't date.

2. Let the Art Do the Talking

If you’re a bit of a commitment-phobe when it comes to home styling (aren’t we all?), abstract art is your best friend. It can be the main character in your room, doing all the heavy lifting design-wise, while the rest of your décor stays fairly simple.

Got a plain white wall? Add one large abstract piece and voilà – instant transformation.

Already got a colourful or eclectic style going on? Turn the volume up to 11 with more colour, or, alternatively, a more neutral or textured piece can help bring balance instead.

Basically, it’s all about contrast and harmony, and what you like. Just trust what looks good to your eye, as you're the one who's going to have to live with it!

3. Size (and Placement) Matters

If you’ve ever hung a postage-stamp-sized print over a massive sofa, you’ll know what I mean. When it comes to modern art for interior design, it can really pay to go big.

Over the sofa? Choose a piece that’s about two-thirds the width of the furniture.

In the hallway? Long, narrow pieces work look amazing.

Above a bed? Try a diptych (two matching panels) or a single horizontal piece.

And a useful tip is to always hang it so the centre of the artwork is around the average eye level (or about 145–150cm from the floor - I'm short, so my eye level is other people's belly button height 😂). It's best not to hang your artwork up near the ceiling unless you're going for a cathedral vibe (hey, you do you!)

4. Mix It, Don’t Match It

Here’s another tip: designer homes rarely match everything perfectly. The magic is in the mix. So don’t worry if your art isn’t the exact same shade as your cushions, or if the lines in the painting don’t echo your rug pattern. Abstract art thrives on contrast and playfulness.

Throw in a statement piece that doesn’t quite “fit” and suddenly your room looks bold, interesting, and stylishly undone. Like you totally know what you’re doing, but didn’t try too hard! 

5. Rotate Your Art Like a True Art Snob (But Without the Snobbery)

One of my favourite lazy-person tips? Rotate your art every few months. It keeps your space feeling fresh and gives you the chance to rediscover old favourites. You can even lean pieces on shelves or console tables instead of hanging them. Casual, cool, no hammer required.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Overthink It

At the end of the day, your home is your space. It should reflect you – not some idealised Instagram version of you who has a 2 hour morning ritual, irons their bedsheets and drinks green juice for fun.

Modern art for interior design isn’t about rules or trends. It’s about making your space feel good to be in. And abstract art is the ultimate cheat code – it brings beauty, colour, emotion, and a splash of cool, without asking too much of your time or energy in return.

Whether you're a maximalist magpie or a lover of quiet minimalism, there's a piece of abstract art out there (or maybe on my easel right now!) that's perfect for your walls.

So go on – embrace your inner designer. Even if you’re still in pyjamas and haven’t dusted the skirting boards since pre-lockdown.

PS: If you see a piece of art you love, don’t wait! The beauty of intuitive original art is that each piece is unique – once it’s gone, it’s gone, and it can't be replicated. Your future designer-looking lounge will thank you.

Shop original abstract art here