Six reasons why you should invite art into your life. 4/6

Every piece of art in your home narrates a fragment of your story. The artwork you choose reflects your tastes, experiences, and values, revealing your personality and creating a unique ambiance in your living space. Your collection becomes a narrative of your life journey, embodying your interests and aspirations.

I recall a time when houses were not merely seen as investments; they represented the heart and soul of a family. Each family's home was uniquely different in terms of decor, age, tidiness, pets, the color of baths and toilets, the balance of lawns, flowers, and produce in the garden, as well as even the scent of the space, the color of the front door, and the drainpipes outside. The walls would be adorned with vintage paintings, prints, and family photographs, sometimes embellished with plaster ornaments. It was possible to read each family's story through the way they maintained their home, reflecting their tastes, family history, interests, and personalities.

In contrast, today's homes have become quite uniform. Many feature white bathroom suites, granite kitchen countertops, beige or gray furniture, and mass-produced prints on the walls. Renovations are often evaluated based on their cost versus the value they might add to the property’s selling price. However, the addition of original art changes this narrative. Equally, the absence of art says just as much about you.

You can begin your art collection for as little as £50 for a framed etching or a limited-edition screen print from a local art fair or open studios event. This is about the same price as two rolls of wallpaper (excluding the cost of paste, a pasting table, and a pasting brush). A medium-sized original painting may cost as little as £300 (comparable to the price of a quality air fryer or a refrigerator).

While appliances may eventually lose their charm, a painting will continue to bring you pleasure. Each piece you hang on your walls will allow your individuality to shine and will captivate your guests far more than any wallpaper or appliance ever could.

Whether you are drawn to traditional art, contemporary art, sculpture, photography or etchings the infinite variety of the pieces you choose to put together in your living space will change over the years to tell the story of your growth, your encounters and your interests.