Living with Art
Tips for Hanging Paintings and Prints
- Use two picture hooks instead of one to significantly reduce movement.
- It is not necessary to find a stud to hang a painting, due to the design of the hooks.
- Art works should be hung at the eye level of people seated in the room. Exceptions are for art hung in a hallway or above a fireplace mantle.
- When paintings are hung together, the centre of the paintings should be aligned (not the top or bottom).
- Do not 'jug' or stagger paintings on a wall unless going up a stairwell.
- Mix and match your mediums, artists and subjects -- keep things interesting.
- Do the unexpected!
o Hang a figure painting in the kitchen and a still life in the living room.
o Make groupings. Even with different artists.
o Don't centre all the art on the wall. Create specific areas in a room based on where you hang your art.
- You can hang paintings lower than furniture -- for example, you could create a vertical grouping of paintings in a clear wall area beside a furniture grouping.
- Don't be afraid of size! Some areas and walls look fabulous with an oversized piece of art.
- Try out the art you're thinking of purchasing. You never really know what it will look like in your space by just taking a measurement. (That's why we encourage 'art on approval'.)
- Buy what YOU like, because YOU have to live with it.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions. We're here to help you find art that you will enjoy living with, that reflects your personal style and that makes a distinctive statement.
By hanging works by different artists with different frames on the same wall, you can
create an eclectic environment rich with variation. Don't be afraid to hang your artwork
lower than normal in the great room to create an intimate experience.
Mix and Match. Include 3-dimensional work with your art collection. By mixing and
matching acrylics, oils, water colours and mixed media works you create interest in
texture, shape and dimension. Picture lights draw attention to otherwise dark areas and
create a dramatic focal point in a room.
Hang something unexpectedly low or in an unusual spot like these works at the side of
a fireplace. Create groupings with your surrounding furniture and sculptures.
Another option for filling the space over your fireplace is to lean a painting on the mantle.
Why not place it off centre and create some drama with 3-D art and paintings? (But don't
over clutter the mantle.)
Hanging a large piece over a sofa can virtually create an extra window – don’t be afraid
to go BIG, even in a smaller space.
Salon-style hanging can add character to a room. Arrange all the paintings on the floor
first so that you’re happy with the way they work together.
Sometimes people don’t know what to do with sculptures. Sculptures are meant to be
viewed from any and all directions. Whether you make a grouping with many pieces or
you display a single piece, you’re bound to make a statement with sculpture.
