American Houses

Displaying Artwork

Displaying artwork can pose some interesting dilemmas. How should the work be displayed and the color of the background wall?

Depending upon the amount of artwork you should consider a special wall for the display. By that I mean; the wall should be dedicated to the artwork.

Size is also important in the way the work is displayed. Large pieces may require a whole wall, while smaller ones can be grouped. So, how do you group smaller pieces?

Gather up all the pieces you wish to display. Now measure out an area on the floor the approximate size of the intended display wall. Now lay out all the pieces on the floor within that area. Once arranged; step back and look at what you have done. If you like it you can start mounting the work on the wall using your floor display as a model. If you don't like it move the pieces around until you are happy with the arrangement.

A good rule of thumb is to keep the larger pieces in the center and surround it with the smaller ones. In the case of two (2) large ones and some smaller ones; you have the option of putting the smaller one in between the larger ones. But lay it out on the floor before mounting on the wall.

In the case of very large collections that will take up an entire room it is best to paint the room one solid color. This means the walls and ceiling are the same color. Why? Because it creates a seamless backdrop for the artwork.

What color paint? That depends upon the artwork. See if you can find a mutual light color amongst all the paintings. This way there will be a common thread - connecting all the art.

Keep photos straight by piercing a piece of masking tape through the sticky side with a thumbtack, then applying to bottom corner of photo. Do this to both sides. The tack will prevent the frame from slipping without piercing the wall.

To make a picture look bigger, use a darker-colored mat. Lighter-colored mats draw attention away from the frame and allow the viewer to concentrate on the image within the frame.

Consider using wide mats (greater than two inches) for prints and photos to create an updated look. Mats wider than prints give greater importance to small images.

Layering mats can create a unique piece of custom-framed artwork. Using two or more mats is also a good way to accent colors in a room.

The best mats to use are museum-grade 100 percent cotton rag, acid free. Most mat boards are made of a buffered wood pulp with a lower pH and are not guaranteed to last forever.

Frames and mats can create a theme for your artwork, so make sure that you choose frames and mats that correspond with what you want to convey.

When choosing a frame, make sure the color of the frame doesn't overpower the colors in the art.

Put artwork in a frame large enough so that it is not lost in the decor of the room.

When trying to fill a large wall, consider using two or three theme-related prints, as opposed to one large picture. Use an odd number of pictures. It is more visually appealing to the eye.

When arranging several pictures on a wall, always hang the key focal picture first. It's best if this picture is larger than the others and has special meaning.

Always put similar pictures in the same area or room. That way they can more easily complement each other.

Never hang artwork indirect sunlight or near a heat or air-conditioning vent. High temperature and humidity levels can cause accelerated growth of mold inside the frame.


About the Author: John Johnsen. Writer & Designer for Home Design Sense.com and other web sites. H. John Johnsen www.homedesignsense.com info@homedesignsense.com