Art is increasingly becoming more than a finishing touch in interior design. For homeowners looking to create spaces that reflect their personalities, memories and individual styles, artwork can serve as one of the most important elements in defining a room.
Mixed media artist Neha Shah, founder of Neha Shah Creative, believes homeowners should consider more than color and size when selecting art. Her commissioned pieces combine materials including broken glass, Swarovski crystals, resin, reflective elements and 24K gold foil to create multidimensional works that interact with their surroundings.
“People are no longer just filling empty wall space,” Shah said. “They want pieces that evoke emotion, spark conversation, reflect their personality, and completely transform the feeling of a room.”
Shah offers five considerations for homeowners and collectors choosing artwork.
1. Consider the energy of the piece.
Artwork can influence the mood of an entire room. Shah encourages homeowners to consider whether they want a piece to create a sense of calm, bring energy into a space or make a bold statement. A successful artwork should contribute to how a room feels, not simply coordinate with its color scheme.
2. Pay attention to lighting.
Light can dramatically change the appearance of artwork, particularly when reflective and layered materials are involved. Shah’s mixed media pieces are designed to interact with natural and artificial light, creating changing reflections and dimension throughout the day.
3. Look for a personal connection.
Commissioning artwork offers homeowners the opportunity to incorporate memories, milestones and personal experiences into their interiors. Rather than choosing something solely because it matches the décor, collectors can create a work that represents a meaningful part of their story.
4. Think carefully about scale.
A large piece of artwork can anchor a room and establish its visual identity. Shah says many of her custom commissions measure 46 by 60 inches, making them substantial focal points for contemporary interiors and open-concept spaces.
5. Don’t overlook texture.
Mixed media artwork can add another sensory dimension to a room. Materials such as resin, glass, crystals and metallic elements create layers, reflections and depth that can make a piece feel dynamic rather than static.
For Shah, the goal is to create artwork that becomes part of the environment and develops a relationship with the people who live alongside it.
“I want each piece to feel immersive and personal,” she said. “The way light reflects off the materials, the movement within the textures, the emotion behind the commission, it all becomes part of the atmosphere of the home.”
Her approach also extends beyond design. Ten percent of every commissioned artwork purchase is donated to a charity selected by the client, adding a philanthropic element to each piece.