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