Dress up your home with wall art
Tired of looking at your home’s bare walls? Or sick of staring at the same artwork that’s been hanging in the same place since Reagan was president?
Maybe it’s time to add new interest to those walls.
CHOOSING WALL ART
Before buying wall art, think about how it will fit into and complement the space in which you plan to put it. “The first step is finding the right size and getting the scale and proportions right for your wall,” said Alena Capra, a Fort Lauderdale-based interior designer and host of WPLG Local 10’s SoFlo Home Project.
“Pick images that are pleasing to your overall style,” said Meaghan
Kent, curator of exhibitions at the Art and Culture Center/Hollywood. “Pair colors that complement each other.”
“A simple approach to selecting pieces is to coordinate with the style of your furniture and décor,” said Rebecca Breslin, senior design manager for Wayfair Professional, an online marketplace for home furnishings and accessories. “If you’re more modern, select more minimalist pieces.”
Don’t restrict yourself too much. “Artwork tends to be so impactful in the design of a space that you could build a room around one piece,” Breslin said.
LOVE IT
But most important: Go with your heart.
“If it isn’t something that draws you in, it doesn’t matter how well it fits the design of your space,” Breslin said.
“Buy something because you love it, and you want to wake up every day and look at it,” Kent said.
“The first criterion is that it makes you happy,” said Bonnie Barnett, an art consultant in Fort Lauderdale.
STYLE AND BUDGET
Wall décor doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, you may already have some possibilities you haven’t thought about. “Do you want things that feel comfortable and have memories attached?” Kent said. “Frame your kids’ artwork. Or think about integrating personal photos with contemporary art pieces.”
Want to go a step further? “Have your photos printed on canvas and then get them framed,” Capra said.
THREE DIMENSIONS
Wall art doesn’t have to be flat. Instead, consider sculptural, three-dimensional pieces. “Because three-dimensional pieces come in different shapes and configurations and materials, you can create something uniquely yours with the layout,” Capra said. “And it’s a great way to take advantage of high ceilings or larger walls.”
Don’t limit yourself. “You can find clever ways to incorporate sculptural pieces on your walls, but they also add depth to surfaces around your home: on tables, counters and bookshelves,” Breslin said.
WHERE TO LOOK
Pieces from online marketplaces or retail stores that offer commercially produced artwork can be good sources for reasonably priced wall décor.
You may find something you love that fits both your home and your budget.
Looking for original artwork that’s not too expensive? “Visit art markets or open studios where you can buy directly from the artist,” Kent said. “Attend art benefits. Look for emerging artists or consider secondary markets — prints or photographs.”
Considering the purchase of truly fine art as an investment? Be careful. “Do your homework,” Barnett said. “Find out where the artist is showing, and what collections they’re in. Do they have a record on the auction market? Is it something that could be sold at Christie’s or Sotheby’s or Phillips?”
“Look up the artist on their website,” Kent said. “You can get a sense of whether they’re exhibiting a lot.”
DISPLAY
Put the right pieces in the right places. If the artwork will hang above a piece of furniture, it should fill the space effectively. “Cover about two thirds of the space you’re hanging,” Capra said. “A grouping is a nice way to fill a large wall, and it allows you to expand both horizontally and vertically. When you have high ceilings, it can be nice to do a grouping that adds height.”
But don’t overdo it. “Be sure the space doesn’t look cluttered with art,” Barnett said.
“Err on the minimalist side,” Kent said. “You want things to breathe. Don’t put a large painting in a small space. But you do want the art to be strong enough so it draws someone into the room. You can extend with plants or pillows around it, but let the artwork hold the space.”
It’s not necessary to put artwork on every wall, Breslin said. However: “Gallery walls are having a moment, and if you have the right spot, consider making this statement with a mix of pieces you love.”
Consider making other changes to your décor to complement or highlight new artwork. “You can update small accessories or décor to coordinate with the art and keep a cohesive design,” Breslin said. “Without getting overly matchy, think about layering in picture frames, vases or planters, or throw pillows that would complement the new art and anchor it to the room.”
HOW HIGH?
How high to hang those pictures? The usual rule of thumb: at eye level. But not eye level for LeBron James. “Standard is 58 to 60 inches from the floor to the middle of the piece you are hanging,” Kent
said. “Use a tape measure and a level. Have someone hold the piece up and mark it with a pencil.”
“There should be eight to 10 inches above furniture to the bottom of the frame,” Capra said. “If you’re hanging above a sofa, be sure there’s room for people to sit without hitting their heads.”
If you are working with a group of pieces, it can be a good idea to create the layout on the floor before
doing the actual hanging, Capra said. “Or use blue [painters] tape on the wall to get the spacing between the pieces just right.”
Be careful of weight. You don’t want your artwork to come crashing down. “Be sure to get appropriate hooks and anchor heavier things,” Capra said.
CHANGE IT UP
Looking at the same art in the same place for years on end can be boring. And perhaps you are lucky enough to have more pieces than wall space. “Don’t be afraid to move works around,” Kent said. “Keep spackle and paint handy. And don’t be afraid to put something away and get it out later.”
“If you’ve had art for a long time,” Capra said, “you can refresh and modernize it by changing the frames to match a new décor.”