Deciding on how to display art in a way that is appealing and draws attention can be a daunting challenge for some. Read on as this article provides a few simple tips on displaying art effectively in your home.
1. Art Grouping for an Interesting Touch
Group the pictures into clusters of two or three. Odd numbered groups suggest a focal point while even numbered groups exude a calming and organized effect. You can transform an even numbered grouping into an odd numbered one, simply throw in a unique but different element – something which complements the rest of the group, but doesn’t necessarily belong to the same family. A mirror or a wall carving would be a good idea. This brings the grouping out of balance, yet makes it interesting.
2. Art and Furniture
As a rule of thumb, it is always a good idea to first position the furniture in the room before you hang the art pieces. This way you can use the furniture as a guide to the picture hanging height and positioning. Typically, avoid using a picture or a group of pictures that is wider than the furniture piece below it. If they are narrower than the furniture, they should at least be half the length of the furniture. The picture or the group of pictures should not be placed too low on the wall such that it is too close to the furniture, neither should it be placed too high such as to leave an unsightly gap between the furniture and the picture. Ideally, you should leave about an 8 to 10 inch gap between the bottom of the picture and the piece of furniture below it.
3. Hang Art at the Right Height
Don’t hang pictures too high on the wall. You don’t want your guests craning their necks to look at the art. The standard practice is to hang the picture at eye level. Some experts believe that you should hang pictures 3 to 4 inches lower than where you think it is. When hanging pictures you should also consider the purpose of the room. If it is a dining room or living room that you’re decorating, where guests will be seated most of the time, your eye level should be about 5 to 6 inches above the backs of chairs. In the hallway or stairway, you should place your pictures higher as people are standing in upright positions in these places.
4. Avoid Cluttering
Finally, when grouping pictures, take note not to position the pictures too close to each other. If the pictures are placed too close, they lose their individuality, and if they’re placed too far apart, they will lack unity.
That’s it! A few simple steps to get you starting along in you home decorating adventure! Enjoy your art!
By: Edwin Mah
Posts Tagged ‘Piece Of Furniture’
Hanging Wall Art – 4 Simple Rules
March 30th, 2010The Placement of Wall Art
March 7th, 2010
Wall Art placement is an art in itself. So don’t be in a hurry to fill that naked space. A little extra time, that special eye, can divine the arrangement that creates a whole different aesthetic, and appeal, in your room. Besides the single piece of Art over the sofa or a console table, there are many ways to give a unique and harmonious flavor to your décor.
We’ve all heard, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” It’s true. But in my experience some ways of displaying Art are better than others. Take single versus multiple pieces of art. A lone small picture on a large wall surface looks too alone and begs for some company. If you have a number of small pieces of Art they not only bring contrasting beauty and richness to the wall but can be arranged together as a group inside an imaginary shape, such as a circle, square, rectangle, oval, or triangle, to create Art from Art. The triangular pattern, itself, is most suitable for vaulted ceilings and uneven wall spaces.
If your pieces of art already relate to each other and are thematic, then a symmetrical balance of some sort could be the way to go. An indifferent art theme could point to an asymmetrical lineup-use your judgment.
Lots of small pieces of Art?–use matting to make them look bigger. Mats not only enlarge art, but give them a finished touch and dresses them up. A couple of layers of matting can add more depth to the art.
Specifics of Placement
- Art should be placed approximately 6″- 9″ above a sofa or a piece of furniture. In other words, at eye level when you are seated.
- If you use more than one frame together, keep a distance of
1″-2″ between frames. Always use a tape measure and a pencil to mark your centre, and make an experiment with the placement on the floor before making holes on the wall.
- Make sure you don’t mix too many art techniques in one grouping; if you do, try to balance the frames so they don’t ‘fight’ each other or look off-scale. For instance, if you have a mix of oils, watercolors, prints, charcoal and photography, putting them all together is rather daring and will give you a hodge-podge look. Besides, the details of one piece will most likely disappear as it merges with the others.
Art and Furniture
- Try to avoid putting a large piece of Art over a smaller piece of furniture. This rule is not set in stone, but all depends on what is on each side of the piece. The goal here is not to dwarf the furniture.
- Painted furniture with more than one color, or with intricate veneering, big inlays or marqueterie, is an art of its own, so keep your Art above it ‘quiet’ and understated.
Please come and visit http:www.animalprintessentials.com for some unique ideas of Art, and feel free to contact us at info@animalprintessentials.com for Art placement questions.
Maria DeGange, IDS
By: Maria DeGange
