101 of Wall Art - Part 1
Choosing wall art can feel like a big commitment for many people.
You might not know how to select art that truly resonates with you.
You might be concerned about damaging the wall.
Or worry about placing the piece incorrectly.
However, leaving your home with bare walls creates an unfinished atmosphere, lacking coziness and warmth. In this blog post, you find the three biggest mistakes people make with wall art and how to avoid them, ensuring you can confidently transform your space with captivating artwork.
Mistake #1: Not Considering the Desired Effect
The initial hurdle when decorating with paintings or prints is often the inability to decide on the type of wall art that best suits your style. To overcome this, use a very easy but often overlooked strategy: start by considering the effect you want to achieve with the art.
Do you desire a vibrant and eye-catching focal point for your room, like in the photo above? Or do you prefer a subtle backdrop that complements other elements in the space, as shown below?
By analyzing the desired impact, you can make informed choices regarding color themes, sizes, and motifs for your chosen wall art.
Mistake #2: Neglecting the Accessories
The overall impact of a piece of art is greatly influenced by its surrounding materials, specifically the frame, passepartout, and glass. Ensure that the design of the frame complements the art's style. Consider the material, color, and width of the frame. Light-colored frames emphasize the theme of the picture and create harmony. Darker frames offer an excellent contrast, balancing out darker colors in the painting - especially with black&white art.
Select a high-quality UV glass cover with good anti-glare properties to enhance the appearance of the artwork. This is especially crucial if the room where you plan to hang the art has abundant lighting or many windows.
Mistake #3: Improperly Hanging the Artwork
Hanging artwork at the wrong height can significantly impact the visual appeal of your space. While the perfect hanging position varies in each apartment based on ceiling height and surrounding furniture, you can follow some basic rules. One such rule is the 145 rule (57″ rule). Aim to hang the art at eye level, centered at 145 cm height from the floor.
When placing art behind furniture like a bed or sofa, ensure a distance of 15-30 cm between the bottom edge of the art and the top of the furniture to avoid interference. As for size, the artwork should occupy 1/2 to 2/3 of the space behind the furniture it is hung behind, creating a focal point and balancing the proportions of the room.
In a dining area, hang the art slightly lower so that you can comfortably enjoy its beauty while seated.
When hanging multiple pieces, treat them as a single unit and determine the hanging position based on their combined center.
Bonus Tip #4: Scaling Up for Unusually High Ceilings
When faced with unusually high ceilings, consider scaling up the size of the artwork rather than hanging a smaller piece higher. This maintains the visual harmony of the space and prevents the art from appearing disproportionate.
Remember, the most important thing is to have fun with your wall art journey! Even if you start with a print that may not be "perfect," having one or more pictures adorning your spaces always adds a touch of life and personality. And don't worry about experimenting – swapping out artwork later won't break the bank!
Stay tuned for Part Two, where I'll share my favorite ways to create stunning gallery walls, how to group pictures for maximum impact, and helpful tips to test out the art's effect before even picking up the tools to hang them!
Sources:
Frida Ramstedt - the interior design handbook
https://www.maisondepax.com/5-common-mistakes-when-hanging-art/
https://www.1stdibs.com/blogs/the-study/how-to-arrange-wall-art/
malabar.com
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/50947039526758581/
artexplore.net
wallofart.com
luxeposterco.store
https://innovignartshop.com/products/minimalist-art-handmade-abstract-painting-large-wall-art-original-art-on-canvas-modern-art-living-room-home-decor-brown-art-c
herzundblut.com
https://www.1stdibs.com/blogs/the-study/how-to-arrange-wall-art/
