How to display art in your home

I receive a lot of enquiries on Home-Dzine for advice on hanging art, so this is for all the readers out there who want to hang up artwork, but are too afraid to do so.

 

Don't be frustrated about hanging art on a blank wall. Regardless of what you do - it should inspire you. These days, there are no set rules for hanging and displaying art in your home, as long as it looks good. While there are formats that can assist with the layout - anything goes when hanging art, so toss out the rule book and start enjoying your art collection!

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Although there are no rules, do be sure to hang your art at eye level, or slightly lower rather than higher up. If you are hanging a single row that's easy, but for a collection or group of framed art or pictures, the centre of the collection should be at eye level. However, If you are hanging around an object, or on a high wall, or down the side of the TV, do your best to hang an ordered arrangement. For groupings it is best to arrange in blocks of art. Within the block you can combine a mix of art by arranging the frames to fit within the boundary of the box. This makes for a neat, ordered arrangement.

The types of art, the frames you choose, and the way you prefer to hang your photos or art pieces will help define your style. I worry less about the rules and more about how the art contributes to the overall look of the room.

Art can be a collection, or even two or three prints, that can be anything from posters, children's drawings, photographs, or an eclectic mix.

 

 

ABOVE: Create a unique picture wall with interesting photographs and memorabilia.

BELOW: Hanging a group in a simple square is one the easiest ways to create a great look. Measure carefully so they line up perfectly. Pay attention to the colours in your art so they work together as a whole.

Before you start drilling or hammering into the wall, measure up. First, measure the space the grouping will take up. Lay your art collection on the floor to get an idea of where you want to place it on the wall.

Laying them out on paper is even better since you'll be able to trace around each object and determine where picture hangers should be installed. This is the time to experiment freely with spacing and proportion and avoid knocking unnecessary holes into the wall. Measure twice and hammer once! Have a spirit level handy to avoid crooked art!

ABOVE and BELOW: If you're scared to start hammering into the wall, consider mounting shelves instead. Shelves can be used to create a wonderful display or art, pictures and objects. This type of arrangement also works particularly well on a fireplace mantel shelf.

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ABOVE: If you don't have any frames for your collection, there's nothing wrong with making your own! Scraps of timber or board can easily be cut with mitred corners and then painted to match your decor - and they don't always need to have glass.

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Don't be afraid to mix different types of frames, as well as what you're hanging. An eclectic mix makes for interesting visual interest. And don't feel that you can't add something different to the mix. Combining not only modern and traditional art but also different media - photography, oil painting, watercolour - makes a room dynamic and interesting. One key to making it succeed is to choose pieces with a similar, but not identical, range of colours and tones.

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If you are only hanging one single large piece - let it be a big, so that as you walk into the room, it sets the tone. Smaller pictures should be kept for narrow walls and larger works for big wall spaces, or as an accent piece.