Not everyone looks at a space the same way. Someone who lives there everyday may see small imperfections as well as function issues. A visitor who has never been in the space sees a big picture and bases an opinion on first impressions. So how are both the constant and occassional visitor visually enticed? Abstract art.
Texture, light, color and scale make abstract painting relevant in any living space.
Long time California artist, Elise Tysick has a great overview here of why abstract art is so sucessful:
millandleafblog 
thank you