It’s more about how to hang images than it is about the art itself to make art appear excellent on your walls. It’s all about how to hang your art on a wall, whether it’s a Picasso masterpiece or a collection of inexpensive canvas prints.
Making the Most of the Available Area
Think about the room’s functionality. On a huge wall, a tiny painting can get hidden, but a larger piece of art can take over the space. ‘The effect of an artwork, however large, can be substantially decreased if it is inappropriate to the setting,’ say experts from Christie’s London’s Old Masters Group.
Consider the artwork’s surroundings and how the light will fall in the room throughout the day. Do you want the artwork to be the center point, or do you want it to be more quietly placed? When you enter the room, keep in mindsight lines and what you want to view first.
Don’t be scared to hang a painting in an unexpected location. ‘The bond you have with a work should be central: the decorating around it secondary,’ say Sotheby’s UK‘s décor specialists. In classic interiors, contemporary pieces can look fantastic, and vice versa.
What is the Best Way to Hang Photographs on a Wall?
It’s a good idea to hang photographs at eye level as a general rule. This usually entails placing the image such that its midway is 57-60 inches above the floor, depending on the room’s ceiling height – and, of course, your height.
Obviously, some flexibility is required, as with any guideline – you may have other artwork to move around, or a mantelpiece that is inconveniently positioned. Don’t worry if the picture’s midpoint isn’t exactly at eye level: trust your intuition and hang it where it feels right. In fact, Freddie recommends ‘trusting your vision’ rather than employing tape measures.
What if you’re hanging a number of photos? ‘It’s always best to hang your largest painting first and work your way around it,’ Freddie advises. Before you begin to cut any holes in the wall, visualize how you want the finished wall to look and experiment with a few different layouts on the floor.
Things to Stay Away From
Never place a picture in direct sunlight, as this will permanently harm it. This is especially true for works on paper but also applies to all types of canvas print art. Leading interior designers recommend highlighting significant elements using picture lights. Spotlights and slanted ceiling lights are other effective options.
‘No glass will protect from direct sunshine,’ says art advisors, ‘but consider UV-protected glass for art in frames.’ Museum glass is ideal, but it is more costly.
Consider the environment in which you’re working. Kitchens and baths are not typically good places to hang paintings due to their damp and hot surroundings. Similarly, placing a mirror above a radiator or fireplace may not be the ideal choice.
Should You Do It Yourself or Hire A Pro
Investing in the services of a professional picture hanger is a good idea. They can hang a large number of pictures in a single day, and you can rest assured that each one will be hung precisely, with no holes or marks on the wall.
If you’re itching to get your hammer and nails out, make sure you have a spirit level on hand or a laser spirit level for added precision. ‘Don’t hang your painting on string or wire,’ warn experts. It’s preferable to work a little harder with a spirit level at first, then hang your painting immediately on two hooks or screws.’ The picture will not be totally supported by string or wire, and because it can move, it will rarely sit perfectly straight.
‘Heavy paintings should always be hung by an expert,’ they add. Do not attempt to hang it if you are unable to carry it.’
Creating a Salon Wall
The salon wall – a wall on which a number of images of diverse mediums and sizes are hung next to each other – has experienced something of a rebirth in recent years, having its origins in 17th-century Paris. A lesson in excellent salon-style hanging can be found at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.
When putting together a salon wall, start by laying out all of your images on the floor to see how they fit together and to get a sense of spacing. Remember that you’ll need to break the wall’s line, so avoid hanging images in neat rows, which would look boring.
The art should not be chosen with great care, but rather should appear to have been gathered over a long period of time. ‘Balance is crucial,’ says Impressionist and Modern Art specialists. ‘Combine monochrome and colourful photos, abstract and figurative works, older and recent pieces.’ This makes the hanging appear more natural. Make sure the frames complement each other; otherwise, the focus will be drawn away from the artwork.
The Takeaway- Tricks of the Trade for Hanging Art
If you have custom-made walls or pricey wallpaper, Arianne suggests employing an invisible hanging system. You can avoid damaging the wall by using these ingenious railings instead of drilling into it. Peak Rock has a good assortment at a reasonable price, and the J Rail system is great for heavy-duty jobs. Rules are made to be broken when it comes to DIY hanging. We adore the hangings at Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge, where pictures are hung at various heights, including footstool height and eye level for youngsters. Why not rehang every now and then to give the room a new look and feel? Our experts recommend using post-it notes instead of pencils to lay out the boundaries of the picture frame and where you want to hang your hooks for a clean wall.
In Summation
So there you have it, all you need to know about how to hang your wall art. Whether you are creating a photo wall or a collection of quotable quotes, we are sure that our list will be of great help. With these cheery and attractive wall décor ideas, you can give your home décor a makeover will be adding a dash of personalization to your office and living space.