Abstract expressionism has its own heartbeat. It shakes us with gestures, rhythm and intensity – and does so without getting caught up in trends. At Artiley, we see how this direction from the studios of the 1940s and 50s continues to find a home in today's living rooms, offices and gallery walls. The secret? Spontaneity is not chaos, but a language that speaks directly to the body before the brain has time to analyze. That's why abstract paintings in this style still feel contemporary, regardless of whether they hang in a minimalist two-room apartment or in an airy villa.
Why the feeling never gets dated
Abstract expressionism is more than splashes and lines. It is based on three timeless principles: traces of human presence (gesture), open composition (which provides room for interpretation), and scale (which envelops the gaze). Together, they create an experience that does not require a motif – you read energy, not objects. In practice, this means that a canvas in this style ages well: it does not compete with your furniture, but adds pulse to what you already have. In our range, we look for works with directional movements and variation in brush width – something that carries the room, but does not shout over it.
How to decorate with energy – not chaos
You don't have to build your entire interior around a painting. Start in your existing room and work with three simple supports:
- Color echoes: Pick up 1–2 colors from the painting in textiles or small details. That will go a long way.
- Proportions: Above the sofa, a painting that is about two-thirds the width of the sofa often works. Hang 15–25 cm above the backrest, with the center about 145 cm from the floor.
- Negative space: Let the wall breathe. 8–12 cm between several works on a picture wall provides balance without becoming cluttered.
In narrow passages, choose vertical dynamics; in social zones, horizontal movement often works better because the eye “reads” the room from left to right.
A Pollock-inspired choice for Nordic light
If you want power without leaving the Scandinavian palette, we recommend Whispering Whirls – an abstract painting inspired by Jackson Pollock where beige, brown and white lines swirl together into a controlled drama. The earthy tone makes it easy to combine with natural materials such as oak, linen and wool, while the movement gives the room a long-awaited nerve.
We've hung this one in both open-plan spaces and more compact hallways. Our practical tip: enhance the swirling flow with a low, textured rug rather than more pops of color. Then the painting carries the expression, while the room maintains its calm.
Light and materials that do the job
The light determines how the gesture is experienced. Invest in warm white LED spotlights 2700–3000K with a high color rendering index (CRI 90+). Place them at a 30–35° angle to avoid dazzling reflections and let the light sweep over the surface – this highlights structure and depth. If you have large windows with lots of daylight, it is best to choose a matte finish on the canvas so that the energy is visible but the glass shine is absent.
Place with movement in mind
Abstract expressionism is about direction. Look at the lines of the painting: do they move upwards to the right? Then let the painting end a furniture group in that direction, so that the movement “leads out” into the room. In entrances, a dynamic work just beyond the line of sight from the door works – inviting you to come closer. Pairing tip: combine a moving canvas painting with a quieter, monochrome sketch in a smaller format to create rhythm without breaking the style.
Small spaces, big impact
In compact rooms, it's all about scale and air. A single piece in 70–100 cm on a short wall gives a greater sense of space than many small ones. If you want to delve deeper into how abstract paintings lift small surfaces, we've collected more advice in Abstract Art in Small Spaces: Tips for Maximizing Your Space .
Experiences from our customer visits
Three common mistakes we see when we help clients on site: (1) The painting is hung too high – lower it to eye level to make contact. (2) Too small a painting on a large wall – dare to touch it; large paintings make the room more cohesive, not the other way around. (3) Too cold lighting – switch to warmer, dimmable lighting so that the colors have body. When these three are adjusted, the abstract-expressionist energy is not only beautiful, it is felt throughout the room.
Abstract expressionism never goes out of style because it doesn't imitate the world - it recreates the experience of being in it. When choosing wall art, look for works with direction, layers and breathing spaces. Then you'll have art that keeps giving back, year after year.