Wall decals and wall art trends – artistic decoration for the wall – Part 1

When it comes to art, we generally all know what we love and what we dislike. When we wander through an art gallery, we also know the works that challenge us and those that immediately captivate us. These are the ones we often stare at the longest. We might not necessarily like them, but they draw our attention and stimulate our thinking. They have value for us.

When choosing artwork to decorate our homes, we have the opportunity to select from the various art styles we love most. Besides original paintings by established artists and limited-edition giclée art prints, there's another category of art to enhance our living spaces in a tasteful and creative way: wall art . This includes posters, canvas fine art prints, photo wallpapers , and wall decals .

This form of wall art is becoming increasingly popular with young and old alike, and every year new trends and creative styles vie for our attention.

The trend forecasts for 2022 and beyond demonstrate our desire and longing to immerse ourselves in a world of serenity, creativity , and nostalgia . According to fashion and design experts, art remains a major source of inspiration for self-expression within the comfortable environment of our homes. From escaping into fantasy worlds to immersing ourselves in intricate drawings, here are the art trends we believe you should definitely keep an eye on this year.

1. Abstract Art

Let's start with the most difficult part! If you're a straightforward person, abstract paintings are often hard to understand because they don't depict anything real—no person, no place, no thing. To achieve their effect, artists paint colors, shapes, and gestural marks like a brushstroke or even a seemingly random splash of paint.

The word "abstract" strictly means "to separate or withdraw something from something else." Abstract art is said to be a non-representational style. It may be based on a theme or have no external source of inspiration at all.

Abstract artworks are not easy to grasp. That is probably the source of their fascination and captivating power.

It's no wonder that non-representational art remains among the most popular types of wall art. Abstract art is ideal in that it is so versatile and, in some ways, far less subjective than other types of wall art. It can appeal to young and old, and people with diverse tastes.

Abstract art can take many forms; it can be dramatic and impactful or soft and subtle, depending on what you're looking for. In minimalist interiors, one-line drawings in simple black on a white background, in particular, have become a key decorative element.

Abstract designs are fantastic in that they challenge us to form our own interpretation of what a work of art means. It is usually independent of literal explanations of meaning and loses any concrete visual reference.

This type of wall art is especially popular in modern interiors . Ideally, some of the colors in your artwork should complement elements in your rooms so that it blends seamlessly into the decor. The great thing about abstract art is that it suits almost any space.

2. Urban Art

Urban art comes in second place. Urban art is characterized by art forms inspired by urban architecture or urban lifestyles. Recently, urban art firmly established itself in contemporary popular culture and has proven to be one of the most popular art forms available.

Not to mention how fantastic it can look in your living spaces. Urban art is a general term that refers to many contemporary art forms. It can street art and graffiti , as well as street photography and cityscapes.

Originally painted on public walls, graffiti an ever-evolving form of folk art, ranging from slogans and words to detailed and colorful murals . When produced on private property without permission, it is often considered vandalism (even by the most prolific artists!). However, when painted in a gallery setting or on canvas, it is perfectly legal and can be enjoyed without any reservations.

When selecting your urban art, choose pieces in colors and themes that directly appeal to you. As with any art form, aim to select colors that complement your existing interior design scheme or choose pieces that stand in stark contrast. For example, you might want to juxtapose a minimalist, monochromatic color scheme with a vibrant, neon-colored graffiti artwork .

Urban art can make a strong statement with a powerful message. Generally, it works best in a modern interior design or in an industrial-style setting.

40° Urban Art Festival – Documentation 2019

3. Retro Art

In third place among our most popular wall art styles is retro art. Retro wall art is characterized by an explosion of color and striking graphic elements. If you want to make a playful statement with a nostalgic touch, retro wall art is the right choice.

The best retro wall art are big and bold. Think vibrant retro movie posters, old advertisements or signs, colorful illustrations, or psychedelic designs. Retro wall art can bring color and life to your living room, bedroom , and entryway.

3.1. 1970s Aesthetics

Looking back at past decades, the 1970s in particular were notorious for their relaxed attitudes and groovy, organic tones. From art and fashion to furniture , design experts attribute the era's "casual comfort" and the use of natural materials to the driving forces behind this laid-back trend.

From geometric shapes to retro patterns and warm color schemes, this vintage style teleport you to a free-spirited time… think Flower Power and Easy Rider.

Create a funky style in your rooms with an aesthetic composition from the 70s.

4. Royal Revival

The art of classicism helps to give us the feeling of imaginative luxury and splendor that we so desperately crave today.

According to Pinterest, this royal trend is inspired by ancient Greece and lends us an upscale historical appeal. From sculpted Greek gods and majestic queens to extravagant fashion, this Hellenistic revival style can add a touch of opulent vintage elegance to your space.

5. Cyberpunk

Our wall art trend number 5 appears diametrically opposed to the splendor of royal dynasties of bygone days.

Cyberpunk art lifts us into space, into the infinite expanses of a science fiction vision, and leads us through bizarre dystopian worlds.

Cyberpunk designs feature many bright neon colors, with red and blue being particularly common. The overall feel of this trend is dark and subterranean, and the shapes used in the designs are mostly geometric.

Pink, purple, and neon blue are also very popular colors for this design trend. The vibrant neon colors are usually combined and used on dark backgrounds, resulting in a futuristic, luminous ensemble. Cyberpunk had become a very popular subgenre of fantasy and science fiction, and illustrators worldwide embraced this style to create surreal and dystopian images depicting a bleak urban landscape. Geometry, gradients, and glitch effects are often used in cyberpunk graphic design .

According to Graphic Dome, the futuristic vibes of glowing neon on dark backgrounds allow us to temporarily escape current reality. And who couldn't use a little escapism right now? From explorer astronauts to surreal spectacles, this techno style can fill your walls with fascination and excitement "to infinity."

Bring some unconventional elements into your room with cyberpunk murals.

Part 2 of this article series continues… with trends such as “Nature and Wildlife”, “Cut Outs in Flat Design”, “Mythical Creatures”, and more.

Joachim Rodriguez y Romero

Owner and Managing Director of Kunstplaza. Journalist, editor, and passionate blogger in the field of art, design, and creativity since 2011. Successful completion of a degree in web design as part of a university study (2008). Further development of creativity techniques through courses in free drawing, expressive painting, and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market through years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with actors/institutions from art and culture.

www. kunstplaza .de/