Happy Wednesday all! I have been working with a client to hang art work in their new home which is a fun process. Deciding what to hang and where, how to balance the spaces with the art work, etc. can be fun but its placement is often a struggle for us and it can really make or break a space! I say placement because not all art work has to be hung. Pieces of art leaning against the wall whether on a mantel, shelf or even the floor adds a casual, informal vibe to a space and brings an element of the unexpected to the room.
Read on for tips to ensure your artwork is well placed and complements your rooms.
Height
Many of us hang our artwork way too high on the wall making it difficult to see and appreciate as well as making the space feel out of balance and awkward. The recommended height from the floor (regardless of ceiling height) is 57”. This height is the eye level of the average person. This point should be the centre of the art work so measure the length of the piece and divide by 2. Next measure the distance between the top of the frame and the hanging wire and add that number to the 57” - that is where you want to place the picture hanger. Because we tend to hand our art work too high this may appear visually odd at first, over time it will feel natural and more appealing.
Rethink Size
It is very tempting for us to hang large pieces of art work on large walls, small pieces on smaller walls or a grouping of smaller pieces of art on a large wall. But I do love to challenge the status quo! A large piece of art on a smaller wall provides an instant focal point and makes the piece really stand out – it’s a statement! Consider a gallery wall for a larger space to provide visual interest and texture.
If you have a collection of pieces you want to hang together to create a gallery wall, make it visually appealing and cohesive by finding or creating one element of continuity among the items. For example, perhaps all of the pieces are botanicals or black and white art or photos or postcards from your travels; in this instance frame them all in the same colour. Or if the art is different colours, sizes and shapes, frame them all in square/rectangular frames as in the pic below.
Jonny Caspari
I also love the look of combining a grouping of large and small pieces. The results are a collection that is visually interesting, has movement and rhythm and visual texture. This is a great way to display memorabilia from your travels or a collection of pieces you love and bring you joy all in one place – try mirrors and artwork together!
Where to Hang Artwork
Hanging art work where it is expected such as one piece above the sofa or fireplace, a couple of matching pieces the hallway, etc. is a touch pedestrian and ho-hum. Why not make an impact by impact by hanging art in unexpected places and ways. Try leaning a large piece against a wall space, hanging small groups above end tables or night stands, hanging art in the bathroom, leaning a few pieces of varied sizes against the wall on shelf. Or even more interesting, hang smaller pieces on a bookshelf or lean a small piece against the back of a bookcase or bookshelf.
I hope these easy tips have inspired you to look at your art work in a new light and provided ideas for switching it up in your home. Whether you use one or more, any one of these art placement ideas will add more shape, visual texture and rhythm to your spaces, make them stand out and feel more vibrant.
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