47 Wonderful and inspiring spaces for showcasing your art

Showcasing Your Art-01-1 Kindesign

Whether you’re hanging one large piece, a grouping of small ones or a combination of both, properly showcasing your art can be a daunting task. Artwork is such an important part of a decorating scheme. Because your art can be anything from an investment piece to a work of personal value, it’s essential to not only integrate your pieces with the right color schemes but to have the proper placement to create balance and harmony. Have a look through the photos below, as we have some fantastic tips on how to hang artwork throughout your home to make the process a little bit easier, and maybe even fun!

If you are looking for further inspiration, check out one of our past articles on 58 Stylish ways to transform ordinary walls into art gallery walls.

When you are grouping four or more pieces, one above the other, you should consider a vertical line, meaning that the art should be visually balanced on both sides of an imaginary vertical line. Too much ‘weight’ on one side or the other will make the group seem awkward and unbalanced. It is a good idea to make sure the art is similar either in color scheme, frame style, or subject matter to create balance and harmony.

Create a rustic backdrop for your modern art and furnishings with reclaimed wood. Adding chocolate curtains makes it appear as if there was a window in the room and visually frame out the space. A monochromatic color scheme and textured shag area rug helps to not detract from the focal point of the room.

Choose complementary shades for your walls. This abstract painting with tones of yellow and orange pops against the Galapagos Turquoise Benjamin Moore wall paint. You can achieve a similar look with abstract paintings from Saatchi.

This piece evokes a quiet, tranquil moment on the water. That feeling is exaggerated against simple white walls that allow the photograph to do the talking.

This painting is positioned perfectly — centered between the two doors, above the console — to create an instant focal point that allows the rest of the room to shine. The size and tone of your art are important. Choose a painting with the appropriate scale for your space, in tones that stand out and draw the eye in but don’t clash with the rest of the room. One large, bold piece of art looks fantastic against a neutral wall and furniture. A series of prints can make an impact too, whether they’re framed identically or have an eclectic mix of frames.

Art hung over a piece of furniture should not be wider than the width of the furniture, a general principle being that the art should be about 75% the width of the furniture.

Asymmetrical Placement. This is a great solution when you have a group of prints that aren’t necessarily the same but share at least one similar element, such as subject matter or color scheme. You can asymmetrically arrange the pieces so that they still achieve a nice ‘organic’ balance. If you have two larger pieces, try staggering them by hanging one lower than the other, so that top and bottom don’t match.

In the above scenario, grouping larger and smaller pieces helps to create interest and energy. The same is true for vertical and horizontal pieces in the same grouping.

Hanging pieces horizontally. Perfect for a hallway or sofa wall, hanging art horizontally allows you to achieve some volume without appearing crowded. For this scenario, an odd number of pieces is more attractive to the eye and is visually balanced; a normal spacing of 4-6” is typically recommended.

Here’s a no-fail picture ledge look: Combine a series of framed black and white photos in a collage format. Add a few tiny objects to the mix, and you’re done. Tip: Include a few extra-small frames in the foreground for depth.

The orange fabric panel slides to reveal a recessed TV. The “Wedge” fixtures, made by Belfer are 150 Watt tungsten halogen lamps. These are really all about creating ambient light, because their primary purpose is to illuminate the ceiling, for indirect lighting. Besides the little pool of light on the wall just above them, they throw a LOT of light out up and away from the wall. These are typically used in high-ceiling spaces.

Picture lights helps to spotlight your art and create vibrancy in the colors of the paintings.

Use a wall of picture ledges to display books and art for a fascinating and vibrant collage.

Nordic style loves black and white, and often includes creative vignettes of posters and photography. Picture ledges are the perfect starting point for a gallery-style wall. Tip: Install your picture ledges to one side of a wall when you’d like to visually divide the space.

Old marine rope and vintage hardware lever make for a cool, dramatic way to display an oiled canvas painting. This contrasts playfully with an ultra-modern chandelier and sleek Saarinen table.

Create a layered look on your picture ledge. Picture ledges are one of the simplest ways to add a personal touch to your home’s decor — and with maximum effect. That’s because despite their name, they can also be used as small shelves to hold decorative objects, art, books or even a collection of plates. And the best part: A picture ledge allows you to swap out photographs and decor on a whim, or with the seasons. Goodbye, blank walls; hello, curated art collection.