What is the difference between figurative and abstract painting in interior design?

Figurative paintings depict recognisable subjects such as the human form, landscapes or narrative scenes, bringing emotional storytelling and human presence to a room. Abstract paintings use colour, form and gesture without representation. In interior design, figurative works tend to create a stronger sense of connection and intimacy, while abstract works often focus on mood and energy. Both have a place, but figurative painting adds a narrative dimension that abstract art alone cannot provide.

Can figurative paintings work in modern or minimalist interiors?

Yes. A figurative painting can be the most impactful element in a minimalist space precisely because it provides contrast and human warmth against clean lines and neutral tones. The key is choosing a work whose palette and emotional tone complement the room. Muted, earthy figurative works suit Scandinavian and contemporary interiors particularly well, and a single well-scaled original painting can serve as the anchor piece around which the rest of the room is designed.

Why should I buy an original figurative painting rather than a print?

An original painting carries physical qualities that reproductions cannot replicate: the texture of the paint, the depth of layered brushwork, and the way natural light interacts with the surface throughout the day. Beyond the sensory experience, original paintings are unique objects with genuine cultural and financial value that tends to appreciate over time. A print carries an image; an original painting carries the presence of the artist's hand and a one-of-a-kind status that makes it a meaningful long-term investment.

How do I choose the right size figurative painting for my wall?

A common mistake is selecting art that is too small for the space. For figurative paintings, a generous scale allows the subject to command the wall with appropriate presence. As a general guide, the painting should occupy roughly two-thirds of the width of the furniture below it, or stand confidently as a solo piece with clear breathing room around it. The centre of the painting is typically best hung at eye level, around 145–150 cm from the floor in most European homes.

What makes a figurative painting suitable for a living room or bedroom?

Figurative paintings are particularly well-suited to intimate living spaces because they introduce a sense of human presence and narrative that encourages reflection. In living rooms, they become a focal point for conversation and contemplation. In bedrooms, works with a calm, introspective quality — soft light, restrained palette, solitary figures — create a sense of quiet companionship. The most enduring choice is a work that continues to reveal new details and emotional nuance over time.

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19 June 2026

Figurative Paintings for Interiors: More Than Abstract Wall Art

Why Figurative Art Deserves a Place in Contemporary Interiors

For much of the past few decades, abstract art has dominated the walls of design-forward homes. Bold colour fields, gestural brushwork and non-representational forms have become the default choice for collectors and interior designers alike. And yet, something quietly significant has been shifting. More and more European homeowners and collectors are rediscovering the power of figurative painting — art that depicts the human form, recognisable landscapes, or narrative scenes — and finding that it does something abstract work simply cannot replicate.

Figurative paintings invite us into a story. They introduce a sense of presence, of another life lived, into a room. Where abstract art can energise or soothe through colour and form, figurative work adds a layer of human connection that transforms a beautifully designed space into something genuinely felt.

The Emotional Depth That Figurative Paintings Bring

There is a reason portraiture has been treasured by collectors for centuries. A painted figure — whether a solitary woman in soft afternoon light, a child lost in thought, or two people sharing an unspoken moment — carries emotional weight that lingers. Viewers return to figurative work again and again, noticing new details, reading new meanings into a gesture or a gaze.

This quality makes original figurative paintings particularly well-suited to living rooms, reading corners and bedroom walls: the intimate spaces where we spend quiet, reflective time. A well-chosen figurative painting does not merely decorate a wall — it becomes a quiet companion in the room.

Gerda's figurative works, for example, often explore the interior life of their subjects through subtle posture, diffused light and a restrained palette. There is no need for dramatic gesture; the humanity in the work speaks for itself.

How Figurative Art Works in Modern and Minimalist Interiors

One of the most common misconceptions is that figurative painting belongs only in traditional or classical interiors — grand hallways, panelled dining rooms, heritage-listed townhouses. In reality, a single figurative canvas can be the most striking element in a contemporary, minimalist space precisely because it offers contrast.

Against a bare white wall, a warmly painted figure draws the eye immediately. In a room of clean lines and neutral furniture, a figurative work introduces narrative complexity without visual noise. The key lies in scale, palette and the emotional tone of the piece. A painting with a muted, earthy palette will feel entirely at home in a Scandinavian-influenced interior. A work with looser, more expressive brushwork might bring just the right energy to a modern open-plan living space.

Interior designers across Europe increasingly recommend original figurative paintings as the anchor piece in a room — the work around which furniture, textiles and lighting are then arranged. This approach, long practised in gallery-style interiors, is finding its way into family homes and apartments with remarkable results.

Original Paintings Versus Prints: What Collectors Should Know

When considering figurative art for your home, the distinction between an original painting and a reproduction print matters enormously — both in terms of the living experience and long-term value. An original oil or acrylic work carries texture, depth and the subtle evidence of the artist's hand: the slight impasto, the trace of a brushstroke, the way light falls differently across the surface at different times of day.

These qualities cannot be reproduced. A print may carry the image, but it cannot carry the presence. For collectors who intend their art to be meaningful — to grow with them, to hold memory, to appreciate in value — original paintings represent an investment that prints simply cannot match.

Gerda creates all works as unique, original pieces. No editions, no reproductions. Each painting that enters a home is the only one of its kind in the world.

Choosing the Right Figurative Painting for Your Space

Selecting a figurative painting for your interior is a deeply personal process, but a few practical considerations can help. Think first about the light in the room: north-facing spaces with cooler light tend to respond well to warmer palettes, while rooms flooded with afternoon sun can support cooler, more restrained tones beautifully.

Consider also the scale of the work relative to your wall. A common mistake is choosing art that is too small — figurative works particularly benefit from being given room to breathe. A generous canvas at eye height, with space around it, commands the quiet authority the subject deserves.

Finally, trust your emotional response. The right painting will hold your attention beyond the first glance. It will invite questions, offer comfort, or simply make you glad it is there. That is the mark of a work worth living with.

If you are ready to find a figurative painting that speaks to your space and sensibility, explore Gerda's collection of original paintings — each one a singular work, waiting for the right wall.