The Most On-Trend Art to Hang on Your Walls Right Now

Trend: Blue Art

Blue art is having a moment. It was the most popular color search on UGallery with more than double the inquiries of the second most searched color, red.

What to know: This in-demand hue is a great choice for calm rooms. "Most blue art is peaceful and serene, perfect for decorating," says UGallery gallery director Alex Farkas. When shopping, he advises, "Look for artwork with multiple shades of blue so that it can play off different color tones in the rest of the room."

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Trend: Street Photography

Image Source: Mikhail Palinchak via UGallery

Sales of street photography rose 41 percent in 2015. The rise in popularity can be attributed in part to social media. "Clients often want to re-create the artful and emotionally charged scenes they see in their Instagram feeds," says Alex.

What to Know: "One of the biggest challenges when first approaching street photography is determining the lasting appeal of an image. Some pieces may initially grab your attention but later lose appeal." To ensure you're purchasing a piece with longevity, review the artist's entire portfolio to assess the consistency of their style, subject matter, and overall skill.

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Trend: Patterns

Image Source: Patrick Duffy via UGallery

While stark black and white was the color palette of choice last year – think black abstract paintings in the living room and clean white subway tile in the kitchen – this year, pops of pattern are moving in.

What to Know: When selecting a patterned piece, Alex says it's important to consider where it will be hung. "Look for combinations of patterned artwork on a solid-colored wall, or patterned wallpaper with a solid-colored and simple artwork. Contrasting patterns with solid colors ensures the pattern draws the eye and gets the attention."

As far as using patterns elsewhere in the house, Tamara Mack, founder of Tamara Mack Design says, "Add some pizzaz to your kitchen or bath in 2016 with show-stopping patterned tile."

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Trend: Pale Pink

Image Source: David Arnoux via UGallery

With Rose Quartz as one of Pantone's colors of the year for 2016, it seems inevitable that it would be having a moment. Tamara explains that the soft and pretty hue "is not a newcomer to the design world, but rather an old stand-by finally getting it's 15 minutes of fame."

What to Know: Be mindful of the rest of your design elements as to keep pale pink looking more sophisticated than girlie. "We love pairing a pale pink, like Rose Quartz, with natural wood tones, smoky grays, and shimmering metallics to avoid leaning too juvenile," says Tamara.

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Trend: Statement Art

Image Source: Elena Baker via UGallery

Forget the gallery wall. It's so passe, says UGallery. What's hot is statement art. Large pieces – over 5 feet – were searched four times more than small art. These statement pieces, especially tightly cropped scenes, provide designers with the "wow" factor they used to seek from an eclectic mix of smaller works.

What to Know: Framing these oversized artworks can be pricey, running upward of $500. "If you're looking for a statement painting, I recommend buying a piece with finished edges so you can opt to hang it unframed," advises Alex.

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Trend: Nude Art

Image Source: Sumner Crenshaw via UGallery

Nude art continues to be one of the most popular subjects searched on UGallery for the second year in a row. In fact, 20 percent of all subject-related site searches were for nude art.

What to Know: Keeping it tasteful means remembering that not all nudes are right for all spaces. "Look for nudes that fit the style and scale of your space," advises Alex. "A small nude can be elegant and sophisticated in a bedroom or bathroom, particularly a classical or impressionist-styled piece. Or grab attention with a large-scale, pop-inspired nude in an entryway or common area."

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Trend: Sculpture

Image Source: Yenny Cocq via UGallery

Searches for sculpture are up 20 percent, demonstrating that decorators and trendsetters are interested in three-dimensional art. We can trace this one back to the decor detail shots on Instagram, such as #shelfies, which are putting a spotlight on small objects d'art.

What to Know: Don't judge a sculpture by its size. Alex explains: "Size doesn’t indicate the power of an artwork. Some of the smallest pieces can be the most eye catching and impactful in a room."

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