5 tips for hanging art

Sometimes it's not only a question of what to hang on your walls, but also how to hang it. Should it be hung high or low, symmetric or asymmetric, and what type of hardware works best? To answer these questions and more, I have compiled 5 tips to help you with your wall hanging dilemmas.

1. What to hang - What you hang on the walls of your interior is very personal. Some people prefer a minimalist approach, while others use their wall space to expose their treasures. While we probably agree an antique oil painting deserves a wall of it's own, often there is one wall that merits a few pieces to create interest and harmonize the room. In any case, to create a maximum effect wall hangings should be hung by theme, color or to create a focal point. To add perspective and texture, try hanging objects as well as framed art. For objects that cannot be hung directly use a shelf to expose them. Never forget the importance of mirrors in an interior. They add visual space and luminosity.
2. Hanging for maximum impact - Be respectful to the size of your room, it's contents and the shape of the walls. A few choice pieces of art work in a small room are better than hanging large pieces. However, in a large room a mixture of smaller works and large pieces can be very effective. If the room is already filled with lots of furniture, avoid hanging large pieces or several small pieces. You don't want to create an overstuffed or busy atmosphere. If your wall space is vertical, then a vertical arrangement is called for. If it is rectangular in shape, then a rectangular piece or arrangement is best suited for it. Hanging your art at eye level or even lower will create volume above and can even make your room look larger. If you have high ceilings, then hanging your art closer to the ceiling is more appropriate.
3. How to group arrangements - The objective of a wall arrangement is to enhance the harmony of the room. This can be achieved by hanging a collection of art (or photos) from the same artist, grouping together a theme, or framing your art in the same colored frame. An effective wall arrangement also depends on the shape of your wall and the effect you want it to have in the room. To create a linear effect, choose an arrangement that is symmetrical horizontally or vertically. To create a bit more interest, try an asymmetrical arrangement. Keep in mind when hanging arrangements they should be treated as one unit. Laying out your arrangement on a table, bed or even the floor to find the right combination often helps.
   
4. Where to hang it - Every room can benefit from some type of art hung on the walls. Often wall hangings can be used to correct or balance aspects in a room, for example, the use of a mirror can brighten up a dark room. Water color paintings (or other visually soft media) are good choices in bedrooms. Adding colorful art to a bland room or monochrome art in a colorful room. Whatever your style or tastes, the goal is to create harmony and balance between the room, the walls and the furniture.
   
5. Solutions for hanging it - Whatever you decide to hang in your rooms, give some thought to how it should be hung. Most hardware comes in several sizes to accommodate different weights of artwork and styles of frames. For this designer, there exists a type of wall hanging product that is revolutionary. It's called CommandTM and can be found in most DIY stores. It allows you to hang most types of frames without putting a hole in your wall (great for renters) and can be removed from your walls without damaging them!! A basic kit comes with a plastic hanger (or locking strip) and a set of removable adhesive strips. To avoid problems, respect the weight limit indicated on the product packaging and follow the directions on how to properly apply the adhesive strip (including the cleaning process). To see all the wonderful CommandTM products, check out their site: http://www.command.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/NACommand/Command/
   

There you have it. 5 basic tips on how to hang your artwork. Should you require further assistance or have anything to add, drop me a comment. I'm here to help. Happy hanging!!