The Art of Hanging Art: Interior Design Ideas

Posted: 11 Jun 2013 10:20 AM PDT

The subject of this post is highly subjective. Art. Art today is many things. Art today is anything. Its merit is in the eye of the beholder, or in this case, the hanger. Like selecting art, hanging art is a skill that requires a level of creativity befitting each individual piece. Not everyone however, is artistic. These images though inspirational in their intention, offer practical solutions to art enthusiasts on any budget. Below we give guidelines, tips and tricks for hanging and displaying your art in the most advantageous way.

When hanging disparate or unusually shaped pieces in multiples, think in terms of a grid. Start in the middle and work your way out.

Images such as the former, demonstrate just how highly personal pieces can be displayed in an inexpensive and quirky fashion. The majority of interiors featured here are more modern than any other design persuasion. Modern styling lends itself to that which is alternative, offbeat or whimsical. Modern styling, like art, can be almost anything the individual envisages and unlike classical or formed design philosophies, has not the demand for certainty in styling (that is to say the use of those pieces born out of a particular era or period, which are by their antique nature, expensive).

The epitome of high impact/ low cost, this cute concept requires not a handyman or a critic. All that is required is a selection of coat hangers in a choice of blonde or dark wood (or metal if the theme of the room dictates) and a rough idea of what types of images might be displayed.

Don’t go it alone. Hang art when you have a helper to hold art against the wall so you can visualize what it will look like before hanging. Also, another pair of hands comes in handy when hanging big pieces.

If a desire to cultivate a highly personal look is overwhelming, a modern look can be created via a very traditional approach. This framed photographic cluster conjures images of a matriarch’s grand piano top or mantelpiece but can, and has here, been adapted to suit variations on modern styles. The second of these images, also showcases a novel way in which to display such a collection and the images to follow will provide further inspiration of the same kind.

While set on a grid pattern, gallery walls don’t have to be consistently squared. You may have an odd sized or uneven amount of pieces to hang so it’s fine to go off the grid.

A gallery art wall is a terrific way to show off multiple photographs or disparate size artwork you want to enjoy on a daily basis.

A general rule of thumb, when hanging multiple works on the same wall hang them 2 inches apart.

A general guideline used by many museums and galleries is to hang single pieces of art 60 inches from the ground. This centers the art at eye level.

Regardless of weight, use two hooks for each piece of artwork. It will allow art to stay level and gives added stability to it.

Of course there is still something to be said for a print or painting which, if absent, renders a space soulless and unfinished. The right piece has the ability to animate a room, command the attention of its inhabitant or indeed, draw it away. Pieces such as these, serve to create depth, texture and cohesion. On closer examination, the composition of interior space is an extension of art itself, and in the words of Thomas Merton, "enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time."

The case may also be that the purpose of the chosen piece or pieces of art serve to add depth to the room, either through a textural or illusory effect. Clashing geometric patterns do this very effectively, if not sometimes overwhelmingly but if a softer visual is required then prints inspired by the natural world, such as trees and cloud formations, that compliment the building materials within the space are the optimal choice.

Always use the right hangers and hooks to accommodate your artwork’s weight. Hooks are available in three basic weight allowances: 30 pounds or less; 50 to 75 pounds; and 75 to 100 pounds.

When hanging oversized art, especially heavy pieces, it is best to have several helpers and make sure art is secured with appropriate hardware and affixed to a wall stud.

Popular in the current creative climate is a segmented approach to display. Due to its popularity and versatility, it is easily accessed and can be found at many an interior design generalist, such as IKEA. If however, what is desired is inexpensive but more personal than that which a large supplier has to offer, a segmented display can be designed at home (using a family portrait, memorable holiday snaps or children's art work for example) and produced on canvas by most small-scale print shops.

Always use a ruler and level when hanging art, this ensures hooks are always aligned.

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