Artwork is a great way to add interest to a room, but arranging art can be stressful. The trick is to know where and how to hang art in your wall (and how many pieces to hang). With our expert advice on arranging art, your home will feel like a gallery in no time.
Arranging Art in the Kitchen
Art wall in the kitchen
In the kitchen, hang art in a place where it won’t get damaged by water or heat. Consider placing art above a command center, near the dining table, or above open counter space.
Match Art to Decor
Art wall matching to decor
Select artwork for your walls that complements the other colors in the space. Art can introduce an additional accent color, but it should fit into the overall color scheme. Look for common hues in your other furniture and decor to guide your artwork picks, such as the blue in this abstract artwork that repeats on the breakfast banquette
Arranging Art Above the Sofa
Art matching to the sofa color
Hanging art too high is one of the most common decorating mistakes “The center of the image should be at eye level,” Crisolo says. In living rooms, people are usually sitting, so artwork should be lower. A good way to ensure you’re placing artwork at the right height is to hang it one hand width above the sofa.
Choosing Art In Scale
Art in the scale
A common problem when hanging artwork above a sofa or sideboard is that it’s not in scale. Having pieces that are too small or too large will make the whole arrangement look strange. “Make sure artwork is at least two-thirds the size of the sofa or sideboard,” Crisolo says. “For example, a 9-foot-long sofa should have a 6-foot-wide expanse of art above it.”
Create Visual Balance with Wall Art
When you hang multiple pieces in a group, visual balance is key. “In a group arrangement, keep heavy pieces to the bottom and left,” says Crisolo. “It balances the weight of the items because the eye starts on the left. If you have an even arrangement, put the heaviest piece in the middle.”
Where to Hang Art
When deciding where to hang images in your home, consider the wall space available and the arrangement of the room. “Use small pieces between windows and doors,” says Linda Crisolo, director of merchandising for Art.com. “If small items are in a space too large, the pieces look lost. With larger pieces, allow room for people to step back and admire the work.”
Arranging Art in the Bedroom
In the bedroom, choose personal art, such as family photographs or your own photography. If you’re arranging the pieces in groupings, Crisolo recommends sticking with one color theme, either all black-and-white or all color photographs. You can also unite the art arrangement by choosing frames in the same color, style, or finish.
Mix-and-Match Art Gallery
Art wall matching to the sofa color
Gallery arrangements are easy solutions for blank walls. Give the display interest by including more than just framed art, such as the vase and plates used in this entryway. Start by defining the dimensions of your display. Position the most prominent piece at eye level in the center and work outward. “If you’re using different frames, spread them out to give a little breathing room between each piece,” Crisolo recommends.