Art is one of those things that is really subjective. I love how a piece of art can make one person smile and another roll their eyes with disdain. I am very decisive when it comes to art. It will take me a nano-second to decide whether I love it or hate it. Whereas it can take me bloody weeks to decide on an off-white paint colour. So I love choosing art because it’s instinctive and quick, which is totally unlike me, it’s like being on holiday from myself.
But actually this isn’t meant to be a blog about choosing art. You can check that blog out here. No, this is about easy ways to arrange your wall art.
And just to clarify when I say ‘art’ I mean anything you want to put on your walls. You could have an original Stubbs, a crap drawing by one of your kids, or framed Post-it note from your loved one. It doesn’t matter as long as you love it and want to look at it every day.
But what definitely does matter is how you arrange your art on your walls. There are definitely right and wrong ways to do this. There is no point having the World’s best oil painting if you hang it in the wrong spot, it will just look rubbish.
Photo by Alexandra Gorn on Unsplash
So here’s six easy ways to arrange your wall art
1. ONE LARGE PIECE
If you have a significant area of wall space like above a fireplace or in a large hallway, then it’s perfect for a stand-alone piece. Having a large, single artwork really makes a statement and will get everyone’s attention. All you need to do is think about the shape of the wall space, if it’s a wide space, like above a sofa or bed then a landscape-shaped piece will work best. If you have a beautiful large portrait-shaped piece then this would work great in a space that reflects its shape.
2. LINE THEM UP
As most of us aren’t blessed enough to own huge oil paintings then you can group artworks together to create a larger overall shape that suits the space. One classic way to do this is to line them up. A linear row of prints can be effective and work brilliantly above beds and sofas where you tend to have a wide space to fill but not a huge amount of height. A row like this is a traditional and formal so works really well to create a calm and balanced space. Just don’t space them too far apart, they want to feel connected as a group. And if they are going above a sofa or sideboard then make sure they are low enough so they don’t feel like they are randomly floating in the air.
3. GROUP SMALLER PIECES
If your wall space is more square than long then grouping your prints in a cluster can create a really relaxed and playful look. You don’t have to obsess about lining them up and can arrange them in a more ad-hoc way. When you are going for this style of arrangement you can move in the informal direction by mixing up the frame styles. Or, keep it more controlled looking by sticking with the same frames.
4. FULL ON GALLERY WALL
If you want to take it a step further then why not try a full-on gallery wall? It’s perfect if you love the maximalist look and want a collection of art that can grow and evolve. Floor-to-ceiling arrangements make a real impact if you have the space. But if space is tight you can create a mini one above your sofa or using the space up the stairs is a great opportunity to get creative. There are tons of blogs out there about how to create one. I’ve still not got around to writing mine. But it does require a bit of planning so you’ll need to have a spare afternoon and get ready to trial and error.
5. GRID PATTERN
If the randomness of a gallery wall makes you feel on edge then maybe you’d prefer the grid pattern. Its symmetry and balance has a calming effect so creates a totally different feel. If you have a formal living room or hallway this look can work really well. Plus it’s so much easier to plan out and install than a gallery wall. To pull this look off definitely use matching frames and mounts and artwork from the same collection will make it look super polished.
6. LEAN AND LAYER
If you don’t fancy hanging artwork on your walls then you can try propping them up instead. Large pieces look great on the floor propped up against the wall. But for this to be effective you need to see the work from a distance to appreciate this look. So you’ll need a loft-style apartment or a large open-plan space.
Or just prop your artwork up on furniture like desks and sideboards. This look is really casual and because you are not hammering nails into your wall it requires no commitment. This means you can switch them up and move them around which does wonders for making you appreciate it more because we do just get used to our surroundings. When you lean your artwork it also gives you the opportunity to layer it as well, which creates a more dynamic display because you are adding depth you couldn’t achieve on a wall. For this to work you need artwork of different sizes.
So there you have it, a style for every person and every home. So get creative, show off your art and express yourself.
Thanks for reading my blogs, I really hope they help you to make your home more beautiful. And if you every want my help in person then book me! I offer my interior design services across Southampton and Hampshire and would love to help you.
Sarah x
