8 Ways to Fit Big Ideas INto Small Spaces
Too much décor, not enough wall? You’ve come to the right place.
This year many of us have spent much more time at home than usual. Perhaps you’ve looked around your living room and found some projects you’d like to complete or some spaces you’d like to spruce up.
The good news is that breaking up the humdrum doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. At Altus, you can find your favorite LDS art in a variety of sizes to match your home, whatever the size. Much of our art is available as small wall art in 5x7 prints, small frames, matted prints, and posters.
Look for Nooks
The wall--or maybe even the refrigerator--might be the go-to place for favorite art pieces. However, small wall art can be displayed just about anywhere. Keep an eye out for little nooks and crannies that could use a little extra love:
Bookshelf
Boston Temple - Window Sunset by Robert A. Boyd
Desk
Lord of the Vineyard by Rose Datoc Dall
Coffee Table
Light of the World by Brent Borup
Countertop corners
I Walk by Faith by Judy Cooley, Modern Day Moroni: Fighting for Families by Lori Hatfield, and Divine Redeemer by Simon Dewey
Kitchen wall
The One by Justine Peterson
Practice your Accent
Along the same lines, be on the lookout for complementary items you can pair with your small wall art. Accent pieces provide a refreshing texture and contrast and are perfect for enhancing any piece of art. Not sure what we mean? Here are a few examples to get the inspiration flowing:
Love’s Pure Light by Annie Henrie Nader)
Desk lamp
Gentle Savior by Robert Pack
Statuette/Figurines
Heaven Sent by Susan Edwards
Pair with Another piece of small wall art
First Vision and Angel Moroni by Jorge Cocco
Pottery
Provo City Center Temple - Purified by Mandy Jane Williams)
Potted Plants
Brigham City Temple -Sunset and Flag by Scott Jarvie)
Accent pieces provide a refreshing texture and contrast and are perfect for enhancing any piece of art.
Small stack of books
The Dawning of a Brighter Day by Simon Dewey
Candle
LIGHT OF THE WORLD BY JAY BRYANT WARD
Artistic nicknacks
Child of God by Kelsy and Jesse Lightweave
Clear off the End Table
One of the best places for small wall art is the small table next to your bed. That way, you can display something you will see every night before you go to bed. The same idea applies to decorate children's bedrooms. LDS paintings work especially well here because the subject matter is often peaceful and reassuring.
You might also consider some of these small wall art pices to display on or hang above a bedroom end table:
Think Outside the Mirror
You may have heard of putting a favorite quote or a mantra on your mirror so that you see it every morning when you’re getting ready for the day. An inspiring piece of art can do the same thing, while also adding a nice touch to your bathroom space. Here are some trending ideas to get you started:
Between twin mirrors
Resurrection and the Life by Brent Borup
Corner of the bathroom
Heavenward - Sepia by Jeff Ward
Leaning against a mirror
Lamb of God by Jorge Cocco
To the side or above the toilet
Pioneer Trek by Adam Abram
Side wall of the sink
Salt Lake Temple - Snowfall Reflection by Kyle Woodbuy and Abide with Me by Simon Dewey
Pick a Theme
This strategy works in any space in your home. The idea is to find pieces of small wall art that are similar, either in color or subject matter, and group them together along the wall. For example, you could frame various sports play charts for a sports themed boys room. You could group art pieces with gospel themes and topics that are meaningful to your child or your family. The pattern is up to you.
Vertical
To the Rescue by Robert Boyd and Nauvoo Temple - Across the Mississippi Panoramic by Robert Boyd
Horizontal
Victorious by Lightweave, Salt Lake Temple - Glimmer of Hope by Lance Bertola, and And I Partook by Kristin Yee
Square grouping
Clockwise starting top left, Tree of Life by Mandy Jane Williams, Children of Light by Joseph Brickey, Angels Among Us by Annie Henrie Nader, and Salt Lake Temple - Joyful Day by Mandy Jane Williams
Pairing Two
Bountiful Temple - Fall Atrium by Robert Boyd and Hidden Light by Lightweave)
Celebrate the Season
The fun thing about small wall art is that it’s not as permanent as some of the larger pieces. For example, at Altus, we have peel-and-stick posters that can be reapplied as many times as you need, and it’s much easier to switch out a 5x7 print than a large gallery size framed canvas. Smaller pieces make it easy to switch up the look of your home for the holidays. You might also consider matching the flow of seasons. Most LDS art offers a variety of styles to match:
Small wall art for Spring
At Jesus’ Knee by Jay Bryant Ward
Small wall art for Summer
Sacred Prayer by Linda Curley Christensen
small wall art for Fall
Balm of Gilead by Annie Henrie Nader
small wall art for Winter
For Unto Us a Child is Born by Simon Dewey
Venture the Halls
Don't limit yourself to just rooms when filling your home with inspiring LDS art. Some of the best wall space you will find will be in the hallways of your home, or even the small tables furniture pieces you may have arranged there. Even a narrow hallway might look better with a simple grouping of artwork.
Small laundry space
The Greatest Gift by Chelsea Fuller
Creative Art Grouping
Salt Lake Temple - Spring by Mandy Jane Williams, Abide with Me by Simon Dewey, Safety by Mandy Jane Williams, and From My Hand to Yours by Darin Ashby
A warm welcome
If Any of You Lack Wisdom by Linda Curley Christensen
Keep it Simple
We often have an emotional connection to the art pieces we put in our homes. Where we decide to display these pieces can add to the meaning. For example, you may have a favorite photograph or painting that would hold more meaning next to a series of books than it would be hanging over your sofa. Bigger isn’t always better.
As the oft-quoted scripture in Alma says: “By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.” Ultimately, the main idea when it comes to small wall art is to enhance what beauty is already present in a room. It’s a different approach than the larger paintings. A 5x7 portrait of Jesus Christ, for example, might not draw immediate attention to itself, but it can do a lot when you’re thoughtfully reaching for a book or saying nightly prayers as a family.
What ways have you incorporated inspiring messages and images in your home?