When it comes to creating a warm and inviting home, personal touches make all the difference. One of the most impactful ways to add a personal touch to your home is with custom portraits. Whether it’s a pet portrait of your beloved pooch, a house portrait or a family illustration, custom portraits are as individual as you! This means they not only enhance your decor but also bring a sense of individuality and warmth to your home. Let’s explore the best ways to style custom portraits and make your place truly homely.
Related article: How to: Style a bookshelf
Related article: How to turn your rental property into a cosy home
![Custom house portrait](https://stylecurator.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Custom-house-portrait.png)
5 ways to style custom portraits to make your place more homely
Use a custom portrait in a vignette
Small styled arrangements sprinkled across your home, such as on a sideboard or coffee table, add moments of interest and are a fab way to express your personal style.
Using a custom portrait can be the focal point of an arrangement. Think a framed illustration of your family with a candle and vase of flowers on a hall table. Or you can create a larger vignette of 5 or 7 objects by also including items of home decor, and possibly a table lamp into the mix.
Find all our vignette styling tips here.
Include one in a gallery wall
Gallery walls are a home styling staple. From traditional grid layouts to contemporary gallery walls that mix shapes, size and artwork types, they are a fab way to make a styling statement. And of course, to make your house more homely!
Personally, we love to play with wall art, combining original art, framed photos, indigenous artwork, illustrations and more. It’s easy to seamlessly add a custom portrait into the mix, especially a black and white illustration of a beloved pet or family portrait.
![Custom family portrait illustration](https://stylecurator.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Custom-family-portrait-illustration.png)
Add a custom portrait to your bookshelf styling
Bookshelves can display a lot more than just books! In fact, they offer endless home styling opportunities.
A portrait mixed into your selfie styling adds visual interest and helps to personalise your home decorating. Go one step further to select a custom family portrait or custom pet portrait to suit your home aesthetic. For example, these artworks can be created in various styles, from realistic to abstract, and you can select from different frames or mounting styles. This level of customisation allows you to express yourself in a way that mass-produced art simply can’t.
Fill a small blank wall
Small blank walls… you know the ones we’re talking about. Those little nib walls or wall space between two doors, or that blank wall at the end of a hallway can all benefit from wall art.
This is an ideal spot to display a customised portrait. Or if the wall is large enough, you could display two or three artworks either vertically or horizontally. The rule of threes is a fool-proof interior styling trick that’s always pleasing to the eye.
Create a cosy nook in your home
Finally, we love the idea of creating a cosy seating nook in your home. A spot to enjoy a quiet read or hot cuppa on a cold day.
The trick to creating the perfect seating nook is to think beyond just the seat. As well as a side table to rest your book or mug, good lighting and comfy textiles, we also suggest decorating the space with thoughtful accessories. And what’s more thoughtful than a portrait of a loved one or special place? Cue a custom portrait!
![Custom portraits of pets](https://stylecurator.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Custom-portraits-of-pets.png)
How to make custom portraits?
So now that you’re sold on the idea of introducing a custom portrait into your home styling, here are some tips to get it just right:
- Choose your subject: You can get a custom portrait done of any image. So that could be of your family, wedding day, cat or dog, house or a significant place. Think about what would bring the most joy and meaning to your home.
- Find a custom portrait company or artist: Once you know your subject, it’s time to find a company or artist to bring your portrait to life. An online custom portrait website, like celebrateportraits.com, makes this as easy as a three step process. They also offer unlimited revisions to ensure you are completely satisfied with your custom piece. Alternatively, you could engage an independent artist.
- Decide on the details: As we mentioned earlier in the article, there are many ways you can make your custom portrait your own. Decide on a traditional black and white illustration or add a vibrant backdrop (like the dog portrait above). You can also opt for a watercolour style for subtle pops of colour. There’s also a world of choice with frame styles and mounting options. Consider where you’ll display the artwork to ensure it fits perfectly in your space.
Have these tips on how you could style custom portraits in your home inspired you to personalise your space? Or have you recently added one to your home? Chat with us in the comments below!