Choosing the art for your home is a personal experience.
Use these tips to help your new artwork stand out in the best way possible.
HANGING SINGLE ARTWORK
Eye level is best, however, a good rule of thumb is 60” from the floor to the center of the artwork
If you’re hanging your artwork above furniture, the bottom of the a frame can sit 4-6 inches above the piece.
Let’s talk width. When hanging art above a sofa or console, let the art be approximately 2/3 the width of the furniture.
Generally, I think a larger piece has more of a statement and keeps a cleaner look. It’s remarkable how art can seemingly shrink when placed on the wall. I would consider bumping up a size or two from the size you might initially think. Large scale art, when chosen with love, can be a wonderful investment and can act as the focal point for a room.
WHEN HANGING MULTIPLES
Treat the artwork as one. Follow the rules above by hanging the art 60” from the ground to the center of the grouping.
Keep pieces spaced only a two or so inches apart to keep them looking cohesive and friendly.
Measure, measure, measure to keep each piece evenly spaced and level, and use painters tape or paper to create a layout right on your wall before adding any holes
When designing a grid gallery wall, we use prints and photos with a similar theme and consistent frames. They could be black and white photos, botanicals, sketches, etc. Or we go with completely different pieces in mixed frames for an eclectic look. We usually hang large and medium pieces 2-3 inches apart, and smaller pieces 1.5-2.5 inches apart.
FINISHING TOUCHES
If you want a clean, perfect look, use the same frame for multiple pieces. For a lived in, collected style, absolutely mix and match your frames.
That being said, don’t skimp on the framing. If you found it at a thrift store, give it a good clean before hanging it on the wall. I’ve partnered with Simply Framed to offer framed prints. If you see a frame or mat option on their website that you prefer over the selection I’ve offered, send me an email with your selections and we can make it happen.
Consider leaning your art. Really! It feels relaxed, layered, and easy.
Matting is entirely dependent on the combination of the artwork and the frame. Some pieces need a bit of importance to help them set off, and others have enough impact on their own. Play around with each piece and to see what it might need.
The important thing is that your home flows in a way that works best for you. If you are taller or shorter than average, switch up the height of your artwork. If you have kids and want your art to remain untouched during couch time, hang the artwork higher than 4-6” from the sofa. For kids rooms, hang their art lower so it fits the scale of their lives.
