How to arrange art for a flawless wall display
So, you’ve picked out some amazing local art and handmade home decor, framed your favorite posters and collected other great pieces to spruce up your home. Now that the fun of shopping and selecting your wall decor is finished, it’s time to show off your new finds and hang them on your walls. The way you hang your art is almost as important as the art itself when it comes to home decor. Follow these tips to arrange your art like an interior designer and dress your walls to impress.
Fit the pieces to your space
Choose pieces that are the right size to fill your wall space. Choose larger pieces for larger spaces to keep a balance of negative space and interesting art on your wall. If you are hanging pieces above a couch or side table, experts suggest that if you are hanging pieces above a sofa, choose a piece that is about ⅔ the size of your piece of furniture for a harmonious look.
Create a gallery wall
Don’t have big enough pieces of art to fill your empty space? No problem. Showcase your smaller pieces in a gallery wall by arranging works of art in a grid or asymmetrical cluster design. You can put all these small works of art in the same type of frames for a more uniform look, or play with hanging pieces in a mix of frames with different colors and textures, or even use washi tape to attach smaller paper pieces to the wall for a more unique and vibrant look.
Hang your art at eye level
Putting your art on the wall at eye level not only makes it easier for guests to enjoy the view, but also makes your space look well-designed and organized. Gallery professionals follow a general rule of hanging the art so that the focal point, or middle of the piece is about 57 inches off the floor. If you are hanging a small cluster of pieces together, treat the center of the group of pieces as your focal point.
This guideline may not apply if you are hanging work above a sofa or mantle. Hang larger works of art at least 6-8 inches above the top of the furniture or mantle to keep your decor from seeming too crowded.
Leave space between the frames
If you are hanging more than one piece of art next to each other, make sure to leave enough space between each frame to keep your wall art arrangement looking intentional instead of cluttered. Keep at least 1.5-2.5 inches of space between smaller pieces and 2-3 inches in between larger ones for a balanced and professional look.
Test your arrangement ideas before you hang
Not sure if you want a grid or asymmetrical gallery, or aren’t sure which size pieces will work best for each space, you can use low adhesive tape to mock up some arrangements before you whip out the hammer and nails. Use the tape and a ruler to create rectangles in the space where you think you’d like the pieces to go to make sure you are ready to commit to your design before you put holes in the wall. Make sure you choose low adhesive tape (you can pick it up at a local craft supply store) to make sure that the tape won’t affect the paint on your walls.
Use floating wall shelves
Floating wall shelves are a great way to add a pop to a wall full of 2D art – and can help you fill up empty space. These shelves are low-cost and super easy to DIY. You simply need to attach a plank of wood to the wall and paint it the same color as the rest of your room. Since the shelf will blend in with the wall, any tiny sculptures, books or pieces of art you place on it will pop and add an interesting extra dimension to your space.
find your wall art at the mercantile
Shop The Mercantile online or visit our store in Rock Hill for art and fun pieces that will transform your space!