When you walk into a room, what do you notice first?
Besides furniture and the color scheme, you probably also said art and you're right.
Wall art is a great way to bring a room together, give it personality and make it infinitely more interesting. It doesn't have to be an expensive collector's piece or resin encased photograph, what matters most is that it is something you love and represents who you are.
If you're looking to add a personal touch to your home decor, consider custom wall art from Gelato, which can help you create a unique and meaningful piece that perfectly fits your style and space.
There aren't any written rules as to how you should present art in your home, but we can all benefit from some expert tips when it comes to selecting, framing and hanging art in a room.
Whether you already have a few pieces ready to be mounted or you're simply exploring your options, here are some tips and tricks to help you dress up your blank walls and turn your house into a home with some gorgeous displays.
Choosing Artwork
The most important thing about selecting the right artwork for your home is buying what you love. Your artwork purchase doesn't have to take a toll on your wallet, there are a number of affordable and unique pieces available.
Secondly, art doesn't have to be limited to a painting. It can be a photograph, sculpture, weaving or even a child's drawing. What really makes wall art stand out is how they complement a room's color palette, the framing and arrangement. Some rooms look better with a large statement piece, others benefit from a mismatched gallery wall.
So when the time comes for you to make a choice, forget everything you knew about matching colors of the piece to the room. Instead, coordinate elements of the artwork with the dominant tones in the room's furnishings and accessories. This creates a far more interesting dynamic and gives the room a more sophisticated vibe.
If you're worried about not getting the colors right, carry a paint swatch with you to get a more accurate match. Just be careful about opting for bright artwork when a room is mostly filled with neutral tones.
Framing
After you pick the artwork for your home, choosing a frame is the next important step. Not only do frames protect the painting or prints from the elements, it enhances the overall look.
With all the different types of frames in the market it may seem almost impossible to settle on a style, but there are a few guidelines that'll help you make the right choice for your home.
If you're aiming for a more classic look, a Birchwood frame will do the trick, while black or white frames will add a modern touch to your walls without taking too much away from the work.
For photographs and prints, Interiors Online suggests using the "float" framing method where the art is taped to the back of the frame so it looks like it is "floating" within. As for canvas art, show it off in a shadow-box frame, it will give it a "finished" look.
Always remember to go with what makes you happy and don't be afraid to mix and match frame styles, you'd be surprised with how it turns out especially when you hang it well.
Click on the next page for tips and tricks on how to best hang wall art and bring the room together.
Hanging
Now that you've got some handy tips on choosing and framing your favorite artwork, it's time to master the science of mounting it on the wall.
If you own a laser wall level, then you're already one step ahead. For the rest of us, it's time to bring out the rulers and tape.
First, make sure you measure your art and use masking tape to create a working template that mimics the exact shape and size of the piece before you proceed to hammer or drill holes into the wall.
If your wall isn't strong enough, try 3M hooks from the hardware store. They can sustain heavy frames and won't make your wall look like swiss cheese.
Once you have have your tools ready, follow these styling suggestions to get the best overall effect:
- Unless you're going for a specific color scheme, try to pair bold prints with neutral ones to create a balance.
- Rather than scattering them across the room, hang artwork with similar styles together to draw more attention to them.
- If you're planning on hanging artwork above a piece of furniture like a fireplace, chair or desk, make sure the work isn't larger than the item.
- When grouping artwork, make sure they're spaced no more than 6 inches apart. For tighter spacing aim for 1-2 inches.
- If your artwork aren't similar in shape and size but share similar elements, try an asymmetrical placement. It's slightly quirky but very trendy.
And lastly, remember that you can always switch up the placement of the artwork at any time so don't put too much stress on yourself if you don't get it right the first time around.
Do you have any special tricks for choosing and hanging up art? Let us know in the comments!
[H/T: How To Decorate/ Interiors Online]