Art can really pull your home together. And it makes people feel warm and welcome. But how it's presented can make a big difference. Oftentimes, art is be used to complement the decor of other furnishings in a room. Or, on the other hand, art might function as the main feature of a room. Color, size, and style are the factors that determine how a painting functions within the room space.
1. Start By Measuring
Sometimes, when I hear someone say "Trust me," I'm immediately a little suspicious. That being said, trust me... not taking the measurements of your available wall-space will be your first mistake! Just as the size of a bed or couch should be proportional to the over-all room space, so too, the size of a painting or other wall-art must fit 'properly' in the available wall-space. A rule of thumb is, your painting, or other wall-art, should fill approximately two-thirds to three-quarters of the wall space. And size matters. If you are considering a painting, for example, to be the main feature, bigger is generally better. Because you'll want your painting to have maximum 'impact'.
2. Hang At Eye Level
Rule number two... generally, you'll want to center the painting in the available space, so that the open areas on both sides are equal. There may, of course, be exceptions to this rule, depending of the room architecture and configuration. But, in either case, a painting will generally look best when its center is at eye level. Consider if the viewer will be standing or sitting, and determine eye-level height accordingly.
3. Get that 'Designer' Look
If your painting is meant to function as part of the room's decor, rather than a focal point, use a color wheel. A color wheel can help you to really 'hone in' on the complimentary colors that tie other elements of the room together.
4. How About the Sofa?
Notwithstanding rule number two, when hanging above a desk or sofa, the bottom edge of the picture frame should be 6 to 12 inches above the top of the sofa. If too high, it will make everything look 'out of balance'.
5. Treat Photographs Differently
Because photographs are generally smaller than paintings, they are to be handled differently. Instead of hanging a single photograph, consider creating a geometrical arrangement of several smaller photographs. Grouped together, it can make an attractive substitute for one larger piece.
6. Consider Giclée Canvas Prints
Based on Rule #1, a painting you really like might not be the right size for the space you have in mind. But fear not... there is a solution. There are two compelling reasons why you may want to consider a giclée canvas print rather than an original painting. With today's high-end and cutting-edge digital technologies, giclée prints can be nearly indistinguishable from originals. But unlike an original, a giclée canvas print can also be resized to fit nearly any desired configuration. The best part is, giclée prints can be purchased for about 75% less than the cost of the corresponding original painting. And at SamsOriginalArt, we sell the best quality giclée prints money can buy!
7. 'Curate' For Cohesiveness
Collect works by the same artist, or works that have a common style and palette to bring cohesiveness and that 'curated' look to the design of your room. For example, check out SamsOriginalArt to find groups of paintings that 'go together well'.
So follow these tips, and choose the art that is right for you. Remember, when properly displayed, wall-art can impart an elegant, 'designer' look to your home. The extra 'pzazz' of well-chosen art can even contribute to a higher selling price for your home, too!
