Graffiti Makes Good as Home Art and Decor
In offhand drawings and vibrant colors and designs, spray paint is right at home in industrial lofts and urban apartments. But even those with more typical homes can incorporate a touch of graffiti style.
"Graffiti is slowly finding its way off of building walls and overpasses to framed artwork, wall treatments and tile," says Randi Kierce, a designer at Case Design/Remodeling. "It is not solely for contemporary or urban design. It can be easily integrated into a traditional atmosphere as artwork, wall coverings, lamp shade covers or accent pillows."
Designers today are getting creative with how they incorporate it; because of that, as well as the growing appreciation for it in the art world, graffiti's negative stigma is fading. Whether it's a full-blown wall mural or subtler accessories, the colorful spaces below show you how to add graffiti to decor in a wide spectrum of styles.
Pick your spots. Some spaces are geared more toward graffiti than others. Consider the purpose of the area — playful, energetic spaces, like this game room, are ideal, while this kind of color would easily overwhelm a subdued bedroom. The lively typography, painted celebrity figures and red and blue accents work together here to make this a high-energy family hangout.
Go vinyl. Don't want to shell out the cash for a custom mural from a graffiti artist? This vinyl wall covering is an option for the budget minded. It comes in a variety of sizes, and the fun drawings and colors are kid friendly.
Keep in mind what suits your style. In-your-face graffiti still works best in urban designs. This industrial-style loft, with its exposed brick and metal and concrete accents, is the perfect setting for this hip black and white mural.
Personalize it. When designing this teenage boy's bedroom, Leslie Lamarre, principal of interiors at TRG Architects, hired muralist Morgan Bricca to create the ultimate New York Yankees–theme bedroom. The mural is inspired by an actual tagged wall outside Yankee Stadium, and Bricca further personalized it by including the names of the boy's favorite players.
Rethink your materials. This 18- by 18-inch tile, inspired by English graffiti artist Banksy, brings an urban feel to this contemporary bathroom. The homeowners brought the tiles to designer Kierce, and they quickly became the room's focal point.
Kierce had the same tile cut down to 6- by 18-inch pieces and repeated it in the kitchen.
Incorporate it in dark spaces. When natural light is limited, brighten up your room with some graffiti. This powder room's dark foundation makes the bright yellow, purple and blue hues pop.
Consider an unconventional placement. This subtler graffiti-style wall painting by Chris Buening strays from the ordinary with its geometric design and cool tones, but it's the placement over the door frame that makes it a conversation starter.
Try translucent panels. These colorful hanging panels bring sophisticated color to a white wall. If you're an artist yourself, you might try your own take with Plexiglas, spray paint and cables or rope.
Hint at the trend. If you want just a touch of graffiti but not a full-fledged mural, try a piece that provides just a glimpse. This rug by Robert Stansel mimics paint splatters and typography.
Invest in a statement piece. This oversize fine art collage by Gonzalo Papantonakis brings sophistication and drama to an entire living room wall.
Or stay on a small scale. Sometimes a smaller statement piece does the trick. This colorful painting by Miles Wickham brings just the right touch of interest to a warm, neutral living space.
