The presentation of an artwork is nearly as important as the work itself. If you’re going to take the time to find and buy the right work of art for your property, then you should also take the time to learn how to hang wall art correctly. Ultimately, you’re buying artwork to elevate the look and feel of the space, but that can’t happen if it looks like an unnatural fit.
In this post, we’re going to run through some handy tips for selecting and hanging artwork in your home, which will help to showcase the work in all its magnificent glory.
Work With the Wall
The wall is your artwork’s friend or its enemy, depending on what steps you take. Ideally, you’d invest in a piece of a size that makes sense for where it will be hung. If it’s a large, bare wall, then a small print just won’t cut the mustard; it’ll look pretty lonely sitting up there with all that space around. If there’s nothing (yet) on the wall, then look at adding three pieces and placing them side-by-side, with a gap of around 20 centimetres between each.
Choosing Symmetrical Positioning
There are two primary ways to hang wall art: the symmetrical positioning approach and the offset positioning approach. So let’s first focus on symmetrical positioning. This involves hanging the work of art in the middle of the wall, with equal amounts of free space on both sides.
This helps to make the painting the focal point of the room, and is best used for paintings that make a point; for example, classical works of art, symmetrical paintings, and geometric artworks all lend themselves well to symmetrical positioning, but it varies from painting to painting. If you hang it symmetrically and it doesn’t quite work, then offset positioning may be more suitable.
Choosing Offset Positioning
Offset positioning is a pretty flexible term, but in general, it means that you’re not hanging your wall art “perfectly.” This could mean positioning it slightly to one side or incorporating other visual elements around the art to create a balancing effect. Think of a work of art that is positioned slightly to the right of a wall, with a tall plant positioned just to its left. You can position any work of art in this way, but it works best with abstract wall art prints since they tend to have a dynamism that lends itself well to offset positioning.
It’s best to check the position of the wall art before undertaking the hanging process. If the position doesn’t feel “right,” then you’ll need to play around a little — but you’ll find the natural fit eventually.
Use the Right Tools
Hanging wall art in your home is one of the easier DIY tasks — you definitely don’t need to call in the professionals for this one! But you will need a few things. For instance, you’ll need to have a hammer, nail, and something to mark the position on the wall. If you don’t trust your eyesight to ensure that it’s hung straight, then a spirit level will also be useful.
Note that where the art ‘catches’ the nail probably won’t be right at the top of the artwork. It’ll be somewhere within the top quarter of the artwork. Find where it is, then factor that into your positioning, moving the nail up or down depending on your preferences. Also, it can be helpful to have a partner involved in the process, especially if it’s a heavy piece.
Lighting Your Artwork
You may need to consider the lighting, especially if the artwork is being hung in a dimly lit room. By incorporating art lights, you can ensure that your artwork’s beauty shines through and makes a statement. There are multiple ways to light artwork, but at home, it’s best to work with indirect lighting techniques — it’s not an art gallery, after all. Improving the lighting around the artwork should be enough to bring it to the fore.
Some Key Things to Avoid
It’s not just what you do that counts, but what you don’t do. It’s best not to hang your wall art in an area that receives direct sunlight, since it’ll reduce the lifespan of the work. It’s also best to avoid humidity; wall art generally shouldn’t be hung in bathrooms or kitchens, or above radiators.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right wall art can be tricky. Once you’ve made your choice, keep the tips we’ve outlined above in mind to ensure it can take pride of place in your home.
