Interior design is rarely just about furniture or paint swatches. At its best, it’s a story. And more often than not, that story begins with a single, striking piece of art. For leading interior designers today, the canvas isn’t the afterthought; it’s the inspiration. Art isn’t just décor. It sets the tone, defines the colour palette, and brings emotional depth to a space that no rug or table lamp ever could.
At Mojarto, we’ve watched this shift unfold in real time. More and more, interior designers, architects, and homeowners are coming to us not with a vague idea, but with a very specific question: What kind of art can help us build a space around emotion?
This blog breaks down how design professionals and homeowners alike are using art-inspired interior design as the cornerstone of creative room planning, and how Mojarto makes it easier than ever to source original pieces that elevate design from ordinary to unforgettable.
Why Interior Designers Start with Art
There’s a practical reason for this approach. Choosing art first allows designers to anchor the mood of a space before making any other visual decisions. A painting with cool blues and bold brushwork suggests a completely different design direction than a minimalist ink sketch or a bright, modern Indian abstract.
Art makes design feel intentional. When clients walk into a room where everything, from the upholstery to the lighting, echoes a piece of original art, they feel the difference immediately. There’s harmony. There’s personality. And most importantly, there’s a story.
Mood Boards: Art as the Anchor
Mood boards have become the go-to visual tool for interior designers. They help translate vague ideas into something tangible. But what separates a good mood board from a transformative one? Art.
When a designer places a striking canvas at the centre of a mood board, they’re doing more than filling space. They’re establishing a visual language. They’re choosing a mood: calm, dramatic, playful, or nostalgic. And every design decision that follows —textures, furnishings, architectural detailing —flows naturally from that source.
Let’s take a real-world example. Imagine a large-format contemporary painting filled with earthy ochres, deep rusts, and unexpected splashes of cobalt blue. That one piece might inspire a colour palette, a custom fabric pattern, or even the layout of the room itself. And it’s not guesswork, it’s guided by art.
Art-Driven Interiors: From Canvas to Space
Interior designers often speak of balance and contrast, rhythm and movement, all terms borrowed from the world of visual art. That’s no coincidence. Art, mainly when used at the outset of a design project, acts as a visual compass.
- Colour Palette Inspiration: A vibrant mixed media piece can introduce a new direction, one that brings out unique wall colours, contrasting accents, or custom tile selections.
- Material Selection: The textures in a painting might inspire choices in fabric, flooring, or wall treatments.
- Spatial Composition: Abstract art often influences how furniture is arranged, balancing visual weight just as an artist balances composition on canvas.
The outcome? A space that feels layered, thoughtful, and deeply personal.
Why Art is the Smart First Investment
For homeowners, this approach offers another benefit: starting with art makes budgeting easier and smarter. Why? Because art is timeless. It doesn’t go out of style like furniture trends. It travels with you. It appreciates in value. When you buy original art online, you’re not just decorating; you’re investing.
Rather than blowing the budget on oversized sofas or trendy lighting, many homeowners are now prioritising art first. Once the art is chosen, everything else — no matter the budget — has a guiding light. Even modest interiors come alive when the right piece of art sets the tone.
How Mojarto Helps Designers and Homeowners Source the Right Art
At Mojarto, we bridge the gap between art and interior design by making original artworks easily discoverable for those designing spaces with intention. Our curated collections cater not just to collectors, but to design professionals seeking something bold, contemporary, and deeply connected to the Indian aesthetic.
Here’s how Mojarto simplifies the process:
- Browse by Colour Palette: Looking for something with deep greens, monochromes, or pops of crimson? You can filter by palette to find artwork that fits your design goals.
- Support for Interior Designers: We offer consultations and recommendations for professionals who want to incorporate art early in their design process.
- Buy Original Art Online: Our platform makes it easy to purchase pieces securely and have them delivered anywhere in India, no gallery hopping required.
- Access to Modern Indian Art: Mojarto champions established and emerging Indian artists whose works bring authenticity and cultural depth to modern interiors.
A Designer’s Perspective: Art is Not Accessory; It’s Architecture
We recently spoke with an interior designer who has worked on boutique hotels and luxury residences across India. Her process always begins the same way: she starts with a single work of art.
In one project, she began with a monochrome charcoal sketch of a rural Indian woman. That one piece shaped the entire living room from its muted plaster walls to the rustic carved wood furniture and handwoven rugs. “The art gave the space dignity,” she said. “It told me how quiet the room needed to feel.”
For another, she used a bold, geometric abstract in red and yellow that drove a maximalist design for a penthouse lounge. “I didn’t want to tame the room. I wanted it to pulse,” she explained. “The painting gave me permission to be loud.”
Art isn’t filler. It’s foundational.
Mood Boards to Masterpieces: A Step-by-Step Process
If you’re a designer or homeowner wondering how to use art as the catalyst for your art-inspired interior design project, here’s a simple guide to get started:
Step 1: Find the Right Artwork
Start by browsing platforms like Mojarto. Whether you’re looking for modern Indian art or abstract expressionism, let yourself respond emotionally to the pieces. Don’t overthink it — choose the one that stirs something in you.
Step 2: Build a Mood Board Around It
Use the artwork as your anchor. Pull swatches, materials, and reference images that reflect the art’s colour, mood, and energy.
Step 3: Create a Colour Story
Extract a colour palette from the artwork. These tones will guide your choices for walls, furniture, accents, and finishes.
Step 4: Translate Texture and Form
Look closely at the artwork’s textures — do they suggest raw, natural materials? Or glossy, polished surfaces? Let these cues shape your material selection.
Step 5: Layer with Intention
With the art as your foundation, begin layering in the rest of the space: rugs, lighting, furniture. Each piece should reflect or support the story told by the art.
Step 6: Let the Art Breathe
Once your design is complete, let the artwork hold space. Don’t crowd it. Let it speak.
Art for Interior Designers: A New Standard
For interior designers, this method isn’t just a creative tool; it’s a competitive advantage. Clients today aren’t just looking for “nice rooms.” They want spaces that feel intelligent, cultured, and personal.
By starting with original artwork, designers immediately differentiate their process. They create spaces that feel rich in identity. And with Mojarto offering streamlined access to art for interior designers, they can deliver that impact more efficiently and authentically than ever before.
Final Thoughts: Your Next Room Starts with a Canvas
The design world is shifting. Art is no longer a final touch; it’s the first stroke. If you want to create a space that feels whole, nuanced, and unforgettable, don’t start with furniture. Start with feeling. Start with a painting. Start with art.
At Mojarto, we’re here to help you take that first step, whether you’re a designer shaping a portfolio-worthy project or a homeowner reimagining a single room. Explore our collections, discover the work of modern Indian artists, and turn your next room into a true masterpiece.
FAQs
1. Why should I start my interior design process with art?
Starting with art helps define the mood, palette, and layout of a space. It brings emotional and visual direction to the entire design.
2. Can I really buy original art online?
Yes. Mojarto offers a curated selection of original artworks from Indian artists, with secure purchasing and nationwide delivery.
3. How do I choose the right artwork for a space?
Choose art that resonates emotionally. Then, build your design around its colours, textures, and themes for a cohesive interior.
4. Does Mojarto work with interior designers?
Absolutely. Mojarto supports interior designers with consultations, palette filters, and access to exclusive collections perfect for residential and commercial spaces.
5. Is original art a good investment for homeowners?
Yes. Art is timeless, retains value, and adds depth and character to your home. It also personalizes your space in a way mass-produced decor can’t.