How to hang wall art for maximum impact
A piece of stunning contemporary art has the power to transform the appearance, feel, and atmosphere of a room. But how you hang it is just as important and shouldn’t be overlooked if you want to achieve maximum impact for your new art investment.
A photo from my client of a recent commission I completed, now hung in her stunning home in the US.
The process of hanging contemporary art covers many areas – a process of considering and balancing space, proportion, style, and colours. Modern, original art that is displayed well can make you enjoy it even more in your home by integrating it flawlessly with your aesthetics.
From avoiding the common pitfalls of hanging art to trying something different, these tips can help you hang art to achieve the greatest impression:
- Think about the height. A common mistake is to hang art too high on the wall. Ideally, you want the centre of the picture to be at eye level. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, such as if furniture is below the picture or if you want to draw the eye upwards to another feature.
"Patience", a new original painting from my collection. Available now.
- Make sure you have two hanging points. Hanging your picture from a single point might seem like a quicker option but after finding a beautiful piece of art, it is important to ensure it doesn’t shift and maintains balance over time.
All of my original paintings come with two professional framer's quality hooks on the back.
- Be aware of how your room slopes. You might be tempted to hang your picture in the centre of your room, but if the ceiling in your room slopes, it might be better to hang it on an adjacent wall. Or, perhaps hang a series of pictures to balance the space. Triptych artworks (series of three) usually look fantastic in this type of space. Take a careful look at your room to see if your ceilings and other features are level. It might be a better option to hang your art to reflect these rather than opting to get the spirit level out.
A collection of three of my limited edition prints starting from just £49. Now available here.
- Consider the frame. A frame can help you capitalise on the style of your artwork. Some pieces of art look great unframed, such as canvas paintings that are already stretched and ready to hang, but other artworks such as photographs or paper prints need a frame to hang on your wall, plus it’ll provide protection for your original art. A high-quality frame that matches the style of your art is something you must consider. You can find out more about how to frame your artwork in my recent blog post on framing here.
A recent custom painting I created, pictured here in my client's home in London.
- Draw attention to contemporary art. Art is made to be viewed and appreciated so draw attention to it. Creating a minimal look around the hanging, using accent lighting, and designing a contrast with the rest of the room, are great ways to achieve maximum impact for your purchase.
A custom painting I created, pictured here in my client's home in Hong Kong.
- Remember that rules are made to be broken. While you’ll find plenty of rules, sometimes breaking them can be the best option. After all, contemporary art often aims to be different, why shouldn’t it be displayed in a new way? You might be surprised at what works in your space.
If you would like advice on how to hang your artwork, or are looking for a custom painting, please feel free to contact me here.