Art first, then the wall color

In recent years, I’ve found myself, quite organically, in situations where friends, colleagues, and family are decorating with art. It almost always starts the same way: "What wall color works best?"

The wall color comes first. As if the art is an afterthought.

From White Cube to Colorful Walls

We have many years behind us with the white cube – white walls, bright lights, and artworks that almost scream at us in the sterile room. This aesthetic has dominated both galleries and private homes. It has been neutral, correct, and safe.

In historical museums and increasingly in private homes, we now see a far more deliberate use of color. Walls in corn yellow, deep aubergine, olive green to mint green, and vermillion red. The spectrum is vast. Colors that don't compete with the art but elevate it. Giving the works weight, tranquility, and a distinct grandeur.

As an artist, I've observed how art functions in spaces – and the more I see, the more convinced I become of one thing:

We often think the wrong way

Most people start with the wall color and then ask what art might suit it. I think the opposite: First the art, then the color.

For anyone who wants art on their wall that truly makes a difference, it might be worth flipping the process. Whether you've invested in an original painting, an art print, or colorful art for your living room, the surroundings will determine how the work is perceived.

After all, we're talking about people who have invested in their art – both emotionally and financially. Some have bought a piece they've longed for. Others have found an art print that resonated with them immediately. Some are expensive, some are less so, but all are chosen with intention.

Then the wall becomes more than just a background. It becomes part of the whole.

Art, of course, is also decorative. It fills a room, adding color, mood, and character. But it doesn't stop there.

Art expands the boundaries of what decor can be. It becomes something you choose to live with over time – an imprint of who you are, a mirror of interests, experiences, and emotions. It holds a poetry that few other objects in a home can carry.

The Art Sets the Premise – Not the Wall

It leaves a mark on the room and tells something about the people who live there. Not necessarily in a direct or explanatory way, but through moods, references, and values.

The art becomes part of the conversation between the home and its visitors

When you take this seriously, the wall color isn't a trend choice, but a frame that gives the artwork room to breathe. Sometimes this means subdued tones that allow the colors in the picture to stand out. Other times, a deep and saturated color that creates contrast and depth.

Good interior design with art is therefore not just about finding the right piece. It's also about choosing wall colors that highlight the art and give it the space it deserves.

Yes, it can be challenging to start with the artwork. But the moment you shift your perspective, something happens. You're no longer looking for a wall color. You're looking for the best possible placement and background for a work of art that means something to you.

How to use complementary colors

Let's say you have a painting or an art print dominated by red. The complementary color to red is green. Perhaps not a bright green, but a muted olive green or an earthy green tone. This may not be the color you end up with on the wall, but the thought sends you in new directions. You start exploring how the surroundings can enhance the work, instead of just functioning around it.

A piece with a lot of blue and cool light can achieve a completely different calm against a warm ocher yellow or terracotta-colored wall. A black and white photograph or graphic, on the other hand, can handle a deep, saturated color – bottle green, midnight blue, or anthracite – without disappearing.

More personal, more thoughtful

If you are in Oslo, I recommend a trip to the National Museum. See how the museum works with wall colors in relation to the art. Notice how some works gain a completely different weight and presence because the background color has been chosen with care.

It's inspiring to see what a big difference something as simple as a wall can make.

Perhaps that's precisely why the art should come first. Not because the wall color is unimportant, but because the art is what gives the room personality, identity, and presence.

When we choose art for our home, we also choose something about ourselves. Therefore, art deserves to be the starting point – and not the last thing added when everything else has already been decided.

Explore prints and originals in the online store – and find the piece that sets the premise for your space.