The style of home you've created undoubtedly calls for some special and unique art pieces throughout. By now you may have already been in touch with your favourite painter to create a custom piece for that stunning open-to-below space, or perhaps you might be shopping for just the right piece elsewhere.

Artwork is very personal, and you'll want the art in your home to speak to you, as well as enhance the look and feel of the space. 

But have you considered sculpture as part of your art collection?

Sculpture adds another level of depth and texture to any space in your home. It also opens the doors to a wide range of different styles, colours, and shapes to add to your spaces. Sculpture can be stand-alone, but it can also be wall-mounted or even hung from the ceiling, depending on the piece. 

What sort of things should you consider when selecting sculpture pieces?

Choose a Period 

When selecting your artwork, sculpture or otherwise, it's ideal to select a period of art you plan to display. Marry this style to the overall design style of your home's finishes and fixtures for consistency and to enhance the look of your home's style. For example, if you designed your home as a modern or contemporary look, you'll want to seek out modern sculptures to enhance this design.

The period you choose also affects the types of materials used in the sculpture, which ultimately plays out in your overall design. Bronze or plaster materials are more indicative of traditional styles, while modern styles may be created from metal, concrete, or ceramics. In either case, the natural colour and texture of these materials can significantly enhance other finishes in your home, striking highlights in certain features in your home.

How to Display Your Sculpture 

While tips for displaying artwork can be applied to sculpture as well, there are some additional things to consider with sculpture. 

The best way to begin designing where you'll place your art is by determining how intimate you wish to be with it. Art is something that stirs the senses, and the pieces you choose can evoke emotions in one way or another. Your sense of touch and sight are stimulated by these pieces, so you'll want to place them within reach if you would like to touch them.

Smaller sculptures should be placed on a table, a desk, or a shelf. This way they are accessible, adding beauty to the space, but are also protected from damage. They will also be easier to care for when it comes time to dust.

Larger sculptures deserve a unique space just for them. Choose a location where the natural light coming into your home plays with the curves and angles of your piece, displaying it in an organic spotlight. This can add another level of interest to the art, and you can truly enjoy it for everything it offers.

A sculpture you intend to mount on a wall or hang from a ceiling needs to be properly secured. Be sure you're attaching your piece to studs or backers intended to withstand the weight of the piece. With this type of artwork, you'll also want to consider the natural light and how it plays with the piece to create new elements in the display.

Scale and Lighting 

Be careful when selecting your pieces as you want to find the right scale of piece for the space where it will be displayed. If you have an open, cavernous space, you'll want a larger piece that balances the room and looks like it was always meant to be there. 

Alternatively, if your space is not specifically large but needs artwork to look complete, choose a smaller piece but still large enough to look balanced. Remember, some empty space is necessary to allow the art to breathe and speak the language it was crafted for.

Lighting for your sculpture should be carefully planned. As noted above, natural light in the space can play on the piece and create movement and emotion. But sunlight isn't the only lighting to consider; you'll want to plan how your high-end custom lighting can highlight the piece when the sun is down.

Similar to highlighting your home's architecture, sculpture can be lit from multiple angles to capture every shape and intricacy of the piece. Consider the right kind of light to ensure you aren't damaging the piece as well, depending on the material from which it is made. Capture its three dimensions by planning your lighting to highlight all angles, and don't be stressed if this process takes some trial and error to get it just right.

Sculpture is an emotional element to add to the overall design of your home. Its ambience can enhance the look you're wanting to achieve in your home, and with so many periods and materials to choose from, you can find just the right piece to accomplish what you're looking for in your home's décor.

Photo credits: shelve, living room, lion