How to Hang & Style Art
I feel that art is a hard thing to style, its something that can be so aesthetic focused and can really dictate how your space looks and how your personal style is reflected.
First things first, you need to figure out what are you like. This could be a certain artist, a certain style or certain styles. It really can be anything. To be fair, you don’t really need to know specific things about art, you like what you like and you don’t like what you don’t like. It really can be that simple. However, if you do have some knowledge of different styles, let that guide you to find pieces that you like. There’s also different types of art, the main types are; original paintings, drawings, multimedia works, prints and sculptures. There’s more in between and more specific ideas but these are the broad types. You’ll find that some original paintings have printed counterparts, so that’s something for you to consider depending on your budget and needs.
Now that art is secured, its time to hang it all up.
The first thing to figure out is where the art is going to go. First step is finding places where you have space, either a clear wall or an empty shelf or tabletop. The point of art is to be looked at, so there no point to put art in some random spot where it isn't appreciated. Depending on the size of the art, you may need to buy additional pieces to hang next to it. There’s nothing worse than having a small piece of art on a large wall, it’s your home, not an art gallery, and it’s just going to look a little strange.
If you’re looking for additional pieces, that can depend on the few things. If there’s a set of matching pieces or prints, that makes it much easier for you. However, you can pick different pieces that have a similar aesthetic. Maybe they have similar colours, or a similar style, something that will tie them all together. Or, counterpoint, just pick different pieces that you’ve collected over time or just different pieces you like. There really are no rules, but if you need help, find similar traits to guide you. You can always use similar frames to tie everything together as well.
A note on frames as well - you don’t need expensive glass frames to your artworks - it all depends on your budget and tastes. Canvases have their own specialised frames, although you don’t explicitly need them. Glass plated frames are best for longevity and protection, but a plastic plated frame will do just as well. If you don’t like the glossy look of glass/plastic, just take it out. Just be aware that you’ll need to be a bit more careful of the piece’s surface. Or, there’s another option for prints, a butterfly clip to attach it to the wall hook - cheap and easy.
Depending on how many pieces you have to hang up, there’s a few different layouts. If you have 1-3 pieces, lay them all out in a line, horizontal or vertical. If you have more than that, try the Salon or Block style. Basically arranging all the pieces together in a cluster.
Here’s a grid of different layout styles, courtesy of LUMAS.
Credit - https://www.lumas.com/inspirations/tips-for-hanging-art/?srsltid=AfmBOoqX6F90GmO_NGt5f9XSdRPXuDio2e_2pRh0o-tG3Vy2-95oRLLN
A good rule of thumb is to hang your art at eye level. This isn’t a hard and fast rule, but a good starting point. If there furniture nearby or if you have high ceilings, this can change things, but nothing beats just holding a painting up and having a look. If you have someone that can hold an artwork in place (as long as it’s not too heavy!) so you can stand back and have a look, is the best way to visualise your idea before committing. Now that you’ve got everything laid out and ready to go - it’s time to commit. If you’re renting, Command Hooks are the best choice as they don’t require any nails or possible damage. But, if you own your home, feel free to use nails or screws or whichever works best (I’m an artist not a tradesman I have no clue on what works best). Just be sure to have some strong and secure hooks, because nothing is worse than a painting or framed print just crashing to the floor and getting damaged.
So, everything’s up, what else is there? Not much really, apart from admiring the artwork and your hanging skills. The main thing is just taking care of your artwork after it’s hung. Especially original paintings. Either using a duster or a damp microfibre cloth to remove excess dust will prolong your work’s quality. And just make sure no intense sunlight, heat or moisture affects the pieces either.
At the end of the day, do what you think looks good, its your place and your art taste. So it’s really up to you. Hopefully there’s just a few tips in here that you’ll take with you.
Thumbnail credit - https://www.latimes.com/home/la-lh-hanging-salon-style-art-display-20131018-photogallery.html