The Health Benefits of Wall Art
Art is a stimulus, meaning it evokes a response in the viewer. That response can include a variety of sensations, such as calmness and happiness, depending on how the artwork resonates with you.
Gaze upon artist Claude Monet’s Water Lilies. Now cast your eyes toward Edvard Munch’s The Scream. Feel anything? Perhaps you found Water Lilies calming and The Scream more energizing or entrancing.
Whatever you feel, it’s normal. Art is a stimulus, meaning it evokes a response in the viewer. That response can include a variety of sensations, such as calmness and happiness, depending on how the artwork resonates with you. Take that a step further, and you may find that how you feel influences your mental health and overall well-being.
This got us thinking about the health benefits of wall art, whether it’s a classic painting or contemporary photography. In this article, we dive deeper into the topic to discover the power of owning wall art, and how a new addition to your walls could be the small change you really need. Let’s get started.
It Can Spark Happiness
If looking at certain pieces of art makes you happy, there’s a biological reason for that. One study suggests that people experience a boost in dopamine when viewing art, the “feel-good” chemical in our brains that results in feelings of satisfaction and pleasure.
Having the right wall art, particularly one that triggers happy memories, can lift your spirits and make you feel calmer in just a few minutes. So, if you’re on the hunt for wall art, seek out pieces that make you feel joyful.
It’s Relaxing
Art has the ability to carry us to another place and time, offering an easy escape from the stressors of everyday life. It’s probably no surprise, then, that gazing at pleasurable wall art helps to alleviate anxiety and reduce stress.
Research by University College London suggests that when we look at beautiful paintings, the blood flow to our brain increases, the same way it does when we look at a loved one.
This may explain why appreciating artwork can ease you into relaxation by evoking a sense of peace. It’s like having a therapeutic experience without ever having to leave your home.
It Inspires Creativity
Hanging and appreciating a beautiful piece of wall art may inspire you to flex your own creativity. “Maybe I can create something like that,” you think, and next thing you know, you’re grabbing paintbrushes, a sketch pad, or even a mound of clay.
Using your creative skills to do something you enjoy during your leisure time can also benefit you on the job: if a situation requires you to generate ideas or solve a problem, you’ll already have those “muscles” warmed up, which promotes increased productivity as a result.
In fact, one study suggests that exposure to art enhances cognitive functions such as imagination, critical thinking, and lateral thinking.
It Adds Ambience
You can use wall art to inspire your choice of colors for the rest of a room’s decor, thereby spreading the feeling the art evokes into the rest of your space.
Imagine walking into a room where a large photo of a serene and sunlit forest serves as the centerpiece. Furniture in soothing neutral tones, accompanied by cushions or a rug in rich forest green or deep brown, evokes a sense of tranquility, as if you were strolling through a woodland paradise.
And of course, colorful wall art livens up the look of a dull space.
It Lets You Express Yourself
When you choose a piece of wall art and put it on display, you’re showcasing your style, taste, and personality. Choose pieces that resonate with your preferences, and you’ll create a space that truly feels like a sanctuary customized for you.
By surrounding yourself with art that reflects your interests and values, you’re validating yourself, because art promotes a sense of authenticity. That, in turn, nurtures a strong sense of self.
It Fosters Social Connections
Having people over? Get the conversation started with wall art, which does double duty by creating an engaging and welcoming environment for your guests.
Art invites discussion because there’s no one right way to interpret it. This makes it a great first step to developing social connections and enjoying meaningful conversations.
Display art in your home and increase the opportunities to connect with friends and family on a deeper level — and enrich your personal life in the process.
The Impact of the Health Benefits of Wall Art
Having the right wall art ties your home together, but its benefits extend far beyond giving your rooms a finished look. At the same time, art can positively influence your mood and mental health, boost your productivity, and deepen your social connections.
There is no denying the impact of a stunning piece of wall art for your home or office. Explore the possibilities and enhance your living space today.
We believe art wields the power to inspire, energize, and transform people and places. Our team of curators and craftspeople are passionate about providing art that meets your unique vision and style.