Tips to Decorate Your Home with Meaningful Art

By Brooke Buck

Home is one of my favorite places to be, and filling it with meaningful art, heirlooms, and treasures is one of my favorite pastimes. The magic truly does lie in the details, and when it comes to personalizing your home, there's no substitute for meaningful art. As a photographer, I recognize and appreciate the profound impact & delight that imagery can have on a space. Often, these pieces can provoke positive feelings, (nostalgia, joy, warmth, coziness, etc.), which is my ultimate goal. In this blog, I'll share some print styling tips to help you curate a space that not only looks beautiful, but resonates with you and your individual eye!

Make it YOU: When selecting photos for your home, I recommend images that evoke emotions and memories. Whether it's a landscape from a place you have traveled, a specific flower you remember in your grandmother’s garden, or simply a photo that makes you proud of your state or where you came from, making it personal helps your space feel more intimate and YOU. If you’re not that deep, don’t worry! It’s perfectly okay to pick prints simply because you think they are pretty or include your favorite colors. :) Shop my prints here!

Size Matters: Consider the scale of your space when choosing the size of your prints. Large, statement pieces are of course my favorite, while smaller prints are perfect for shelves and within gallery walls. I have lately been experimenting with different matte sizing and framing a smaller image around large mattes to add an element of interest!

Frames Make or Break the Piece: The right frame can transform a photograph from an image to a piece of art. I have a more vintage, eclectic style with my frames and gallery walls, but figuring out your style will help you narrow down the search! For a cohesive look, opt for frames in similar tones or materials throughout your space.

Mix and Match: Don't be afraid to mix different types of art mediums to create visual interest and dimension. A few of my favorite objects to style near my prints are relevant coffee table books, candlesticks, and brass figurines. You can mix and match items that feel harmonious and reflect your personal style. When you decorate with intentional items, you will love them for longer and not just through a trend! Some of my favorite artists featured in my home are: Nicole Colunga, Sarah Ruth Frey, Ashley Treece, ColorbloKC, Paige Ledom, my great grandmother, & so many more!

Lighting Ambience: As an OT, I am always thinking about my environment and how the lighting can be conducive for whatever I am trying to accomplish. Lighting can enhance your overall mood & attention, and makes all the difference when showcasing your prints. You can experiment with different lighting sources, such as overhead art lamps to highlight your photographs and create a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Rotate and Refresh: I love updating my prints a few times a year to reflect the season and keep our home feeling fresh. It’s a super cost effective way to scratch the redecorating itch as well. I love using florals and brighter colors during spring and summer, moodier tones and fall scenes in the fall, and Christmas and winter prints in December.

Incorporating photographs of meaningful places into your home isn't just about aesthetics, it's about creating a space that reflects who you are, where you've been, & what you love and value. For more professional design help and sourcing, be sure to check out my favorite local designers, Mid-West & Co, Morgan Madison Design, & The Old Mango / Courtney Caldwell. Scroll below to check out some Brooke Buck prints in the wild for inspiration. :)

Check out some of my favorite frames, picture lights, and home items here!