Hanging art has been and continues to be an integral part of modern man cave décor. We have always had the need to make art an important element of our interiors, from prehistoric cave paintings and Egyptian tomb reliefs. Anthropologists have said that the ancients thought that art was magic that transported you from the mundane to the transcendent. I have to agree because, surprisingly, what we take in visually stays with us unconsciously, capturing us and magically transporting us to another place and time.

There are clues to help you zero in on the type of artwork that complements the scale and color of the room. Consider the scheme of the room and try to match or contrast it. Does the room have neutral, pastel, or vibrant decor? Don’t be intimidated when choosing art. It is nothing more than finding images that you like, that speak to you, perhaps stimulate reflection, relax your mind and lift your spirit by framing your memories.

Art can be an anchor for a room’s theme; conveys a story of the occupant’s depth, style, humor and even intellect. As you search for the ideal pieces, keep in mind that these images you are choosing will greet you on a daily basis. Others will see it too, and the substance of your art makes an impact. If the impact is too much, it will deplete your subject, but if it is too small, it will be lost. Discovering art that reflects and speaks to you can take a while to find, but once you’ve found the ideal pieces, how do you hang them and where?

Now that you’ve found the coveted art pieces, we need to find a way to properly display your art landscape. This will involve identifying the wall color, placement and framing/killing of the artwork and then finally highlighting each piece if needed with some accent lighting.

wall colour:

-Consider a suitable backdrop against which to display your work.
-The color of the wall should not compete with your art.
-The color should be neutral or in some way play with the colors of the art.
-Repaint the wall to complement/accent the piece if needed.
-Make sure the rear fall is smooth with unobtrusive textures.

To lease:

-Leave a generous amount of wall space around each work.
-Relate the art to the size of the wall-
(Choose smaller images for narrow walls and larger works for large wall spaces.)
-Relate the art to the size of the furniture
(In general, when hanging art over a piece of
furniture, should not be longer than the width of the furniture; a general principle is about 75% of the width of the table/sofa).
-Standard hanging height would be at eye level.
-Hang low: When hanging a large picture above a table, for example, the bottom of the frame should be 4-8″ from the table top
-Play with size for dramatic effect: try hanging large artwork in small spaces, like a powder room.

Hang art in groups to make a pattern:

-Stripes: hung symmetrically in a row to create vertical or horizontal line art
-Plaids- a square or plaid design
-Herringbone/diagonal- An ascending slope/staircase rows add excitement to the composition.
-Mosaic- a large group of works together serves to display many works in a limited space.
-Ingenious Grid- Using most of the wall with monochromatic images, the same color, with the same frames (if not unframed), and the same size will create a dramatic wall of poetry.
-One hung vertically and the other horizontally aligned at the base of the frames.
– Oversized and low hanging
-Horizontal lines tend to lengthen, widen and emphasize an informal decorating scheme.
-Vertical lines tend to be more formal giving the illusion of height; it can look more elegant and refined.
-Avoid hanging identical pictures in a perfect line whenever you want to emphasize an informal setting.
-Symmetrical arrangements add balance and formality to an arrangement and are generally pleasing and reassuring to the viewer.
– The Asymmetrical Arrangements create a very striking grouping and it is a casual and fun look for informal environments.
-Juxtapose two works of art from different eras that have a common element (color, theme, etc.)
-Create a collage by grouping many small artworks together visually linking them in shape, theme, or color. This will allow them to play off each other creating a single harmonious graphic effect.

Framed:

-Don’t choose frames/mattes that overwhelm a piece or don’t make it stand out.
-Mix frames that differ stylistically and in color giving them the feeling that it is a “collection”.
-Try framing multiple items on a single mat and frame.
-Various frame shapes add interest to a grouping of pictures by hanging pictures with different shaped frames.
-Images will have a greater impact if they are matted in a color that contrasts with the wall. Choose a dark rug for a light wall and vice versa.
-A group of photographs framed alike and hung together can have a big impact.

Alternative Shelves and Wall Hangings

-Place the art on a shelf creating a more dimensional effect and allows you to display the framed work alongside other collected artwork, figurines/pots.
-Look for wall hangings that give the impression of art, such as architectural features.
-Iron art is very popular and adds a lot of interest with its three-dimensional effect.

Accent lighting:

Note: beautiful works of art can be missed unless well lit. Lighting the work gives it more importance.
-The entire surface of a painting should be evenly lit without glare
-To illuminate an individual piece and direct light evenly mount a picture light that has a long arm from the back of the artwork so as not to damage the piece.
-Use a low-wattage, UV-free, color-correct bulb.
-Light sculptures to enhance their shapes to create a dramatic effect that casts shadows on walls or floors.
-Use uplights and downlights of various sizes that adapt to each piece.
-Using a track lighting over a series of pieces that perhaps extend the length of a hallway will dramatically highlight the art and illuminate the hallway simultaneously.
-Shelves and light cabinets with mounted lights or clips

Alas, you’re now armed with a case full of a new arsenal of hanging art and you’re now officially equipped to tackle any room with your new landscaping design guidelines. Stick to your theme by supporting it with art that repeats the colors, patterns, and style of the room’s interior. Use art for inspiration, find images that move you, and use their themes and colors as a basis for other elements in the room. Let the art be humorous, fun, unexpected, and whimsical. Find themes that suit your decorating style by highlighting colors in other items in the room. Just remember that art lasts because it frees us from the repetition of habitual thought and allows us a new perspective; so be sure to show your work respectfully and artfully by giving it some extra thought.