How To: Display Your Art

Friday, November 7, 2014

Art brings a kind of integrity into our lives, reflecting a bit of who we are by showcasing our creativity, balance, and nature. It's not just paintings or drawings. Art includes photos, objects, textiles, and even items from nature! So what makes the perfect balance?

Here are some of the most common art displaying mistakes that can be avoided from an article we saw on Apartment Therapy. We've summarized, added some thoughts, and a few images from our clients' homes.

The basic mistakes and how to avoid them:

Art hanging too high. The most common art display mistake and the easiest to fix. Bring it down; artwork should be around or below eye level, letting everybody enjoy the stunning view.

Applying the wrong scale. The term “go big or go home” applies here. If the piece of art doesn’t fit, don’t panic. Using a larger mat or a thicker frame can often be a quick remedy. Painting an accent color on the wall can also add scale. Always remember if it doesn’t look intentional, make it stand out.

Matching, matching, matching. Art isn’t about matching, it’s about being creative, free, and individual. Don’t be boring, mix up the room with colors! Show us what you love.

And think it through! We love a well done gallery wall. Here's a great technique to finding the right arrangement for your space. First, lay out the collage on the floor across a span the same size as the wall space. Then, rearrange and reorder until you find the right design. From there you can make small adjustments and hang them up!

All about variety. Art is supposed to be fun. It brings out imagination and enlightens the mind. Have it be personal and more than just framed paintings. Use tapestries, canvases, quilts, old tools, sculptures, and other collectibles. Spice it up; nobody wants to live in a museum after all.

Leave us some space. Negative space is necessary... you need it! We think of it as a balance. Space allows rest for your eyes.

Connecting the art to the rest of the décor. Don’t be shy. The art in your home should be connected to the rest of the space, creating a more sophisticated style while also adding a layering technique. It's a form of texture, which is a benefit to any space.

Hanging properly. Tired of correcting crooked picture frames every time you come home? Well we’re tired of looking at your crooked art, just put some thought in the layout, and hang it up with two nails! Seriously. There are lots of fantastic hanging systems available online, as well as a great variety of options at your local home improvement store. Shop around for what works for you.

Being bound by the walls. Art is more than a painting that can be placed on a wall; it can be anything that expresses humanism. Keep it loose and creative. Don't worry about rules. Leaning artwork against the wall can be a great way to get the feel of something new, just having it visible to you and others in the space. Things can always be rotated and moved with ease. If you’re feeling extra creative, just place some art on shelves or on other furniture. The possibilities are endless so have fun with it and have it reflect a little of who you are!

Check out the original article on Apartment Therapy.

Cheers,
Frank Campanale