The right pieces of artwork can help to add interest and personality to your home, but often these important decisions are not properly thought through. Many people fall back on generic images that do nothing to add character to the room, reflect their personal taste or complement the overall interior design of the house.
If you would like to transform your home with art but are not sure how, here are some useful tips. For some expert help with made to measure picture frames, drop into our London shop and we will be happy to help.
Think about the mood of the room
The artwork will have a significant impact on the overall mood of the room, because it will naturally draw the eye and be a conversation point. In the living room, you may want a more bold or emotion-led piece, while in the dining room you may opt for something that viewers can respond to intellectually as a conversation starter.
The kitchen may suit more energetic and light hearted pieces, as you will tend to be around in the daytime and busy with practical tasks. In the bedroom you may want to have calming pieces with neutral colour palettes and minimalist lines that prompt a restful night’s sleep, and so on.
Of course there are no rules when it comes to personal taste, but thinking about the overall ambience of the room can be a helpful starting point if you feel uncertain about where to start.
Think about the colours
It’s not necessary to match the colours perfectly to the rest of the room, but you might want to pick out one or two accent colours to create a sense of continuity. On the other hand, if you have a lot of pale neutral colour, the artwork can be used to create a more colourful focal point.
Conversely, if it’s already bright and busy, a more monochrome colour palette may work well.
Consider the proportions of the space
It’s important to take into consideration the space available, and if the artwork will suit the proportions. A single small piece will look lost on a large blank wall, while larger pieces can overwhelm a smaller room. You could group several smaller pieces together to create a gallery wall if you don’t want to invest in a larger piece.
If you are uncertain about what impact the size of the picture will have on the space, use a paper template cut to size and use a light fixative to hold it in place. This will also help you to decide at what height to hang the picture. A common mistake is to hang them too high or too low on the wall for example. Generally, eye level works best, or in the top third of the wall.
Get the frame right
The frame is an essential part of the artwork that can really enhance the way the piece looks and feels, and also provide a sense of continuity with the rest of the room. For example, a natural wood frame will match well with wooden furniture or a more rustic style of decor, while a metal frame can look more luxurious or contemporary.
More decorative frames can help to tie a bold design scheme such as Art Deco together. If you acquire the art in a frame but it doesn’t complement either the style of the work or the style of your home, consider having it professionally reframed—you will be amazed at the amount of difference it makes!
Choose the right hanging system
Smaller pictures can be hung with regular picture hooks that are relatively easy to install in most types of walls. Heavier pieces will need holes drilling into the wall so that a screw and rawl plug can be used to support them. Measure up carefully, and use a spirit level or laser ruler to check the fixings are level—it will always annoy you if they are not!
If you have a period property, you may be lucky enough to have picture rails around the walls, in which case the pictures can be hung from hooks and wires. This gives you the freedom to experiment with the positioning without needing to hammer holes in the walls.