Can this art work over my buffet?

last year

last modified: last year

I have a set of paintings that I love. I'd really like to hang them over our buffet, but the scale is stumping me. The paintings are 16" square, the buffet is 29" high, the ceilings are 92" high. If I hang everything the recommended 6" to 8" off the buffet, the wall above is too empty. Hanging them all with the midpoint at 57", and the space between the art and the buffet is too empty.

I threw up some Command hooks to test different heights, and I kind of like the staggered look. Should I

1. Hang everything centered at eye level, and then hang a long shallow shelf underneath to fill the empty wall space between art and buffet?

2. Keep the staggered look and adjust for even spacing?

3. Give up and buy a bigger art piece.

Pictures (the globe is a placeholder for a small lamp or a decanter):

Featured Answer

JT7abcz

last year

A project you can consider after you get settled in is to visually elongate each canvas by mounting it in a larger frame with a mat, or in a shadow box. The canvas doesn't have to be centered if you need more height than width. Love the colors in your space.

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Comments (22)

Lori Angell
last year
One large piece would look much better
Lorraine Leroux
last year
I like the staggered but it would be nice of there were more or a larger piece.
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kandrewspa
last year
Unfortunately, they just look too small for the space. I put two tall pieces over my buffet (a related pair). Is there anywhere else you can put these? You could hang them on top of each other also if you have a skinny wall available. Or eye level in a hallway.
pricklypearcactus
last year
Personally I don't mind smaller scale art, especially if you love the art. I am not a fan of the staggered look. I would hang them at eye level evenly. And then I would put something decorative on the buffet to help fill the space a bit such as vases or a bowl or some potted plants.
la_la Girl
last year
I agree with @pricklypearcactus - I like a minimal look.. could you frame them with a pair of tallish mod lamps - and maybe the floor lamp find another home?
mcarroll16
Original Author
last year
Thanks everyone! I agree a large piece would be better, but I don't have one (yet). I'll try hanging them all high and putting some lamps underneath. The floor lamp will move soon. Everything's scattered as we're still "moving in" after a remodel.
eandhl2
last year
I think what is important is do you love the piece? Does it make you smile? Much more important does it go with my rug or something else.
mcarroll16
Original Author
last year
Thanks eandhl2. I agree with the sentiment, but not sure I agree with the practice. I love the paintings, so I want their placement to make them shine. That may mean finding another place for them.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year

I think you could make a better statement for this large wall.
PRO
Beth H. :
last year
last modified: last year
they're too small for the scale of that space. the pictures are too short. and for sure I wouldn't stagger them.

you have a lot of space above the piece so you need something substantial.

Beverly has the right idea if you want two pieces. but I'd ditch the funky floor lamp an do a tall plant

here, so much better.

https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/4-ways-to-style-a-credenza-for-real-life

this one they did smaller prints, but notice the top and how it covers the gap, plus the sconces, and the chairs on the side.

i have a similar mcm credenza and did one large piece of art

Here are some other styling ideas w/wood pieces like yours

if you want smaller pieces, try doing these shelves. but notice how the sides and tops fill in the spac

this wood floor lamp looks better

It's about proportion

https://www.stylemepretty.com/living/2021/01/18/home-101-the-credenza/
mcarroll16
Original Author
last year
Thanks Beverly and Beth! For now I'll hang them higher, and fill in below with a lamp and some nice pottery we own. I'll keep looking for the perfect larger piece. And for a better place in the house for these paintings. Once I find the right art, I'll look at sconces. The floor lamp is definitely moving--I just have to empty out the boxes that are sitting in its intended spot.
mcarroll16
Original Author
last year
Thanks again, everyone! I rehung the pictures, and put some placeholder objects on the buffet. Starting the long shopping process for a larger artwork we love. Also going to look for a set of buffet lamps, and a taller piece of pottery and/or a good plant.
Yvonne Martin
last year
Is it possible to use a larger frame for the paintings?

As you probably realize, you have too many little things on the buffet. Something hefty would help balance the paintings.
KW PNW Z8
last year
@mcarroll16 Your pottery pieces are glazed in the same style as the paintings! Neat!
mcarroll16
Original Author
last year
Final draft, until I can find the right pieces. We will install track lights soon for better lighting on that wall.
KW PNW Z8
last year
@mcarroll16 Really nice! Simple but eyecatching with the repeated use of same colors in art, pottery & lamp, chair at table.
mcarroll16 thanked KW PNW Z8
mcarroll16
Original Author
last year
Oh, a shadow box is a helpful idea! Thanks! The paintings are gallery wrapped, so conventional framing seems difficult. A shadow box might allow us to enlarge with some kind of matting effect. Of course, getting that done well might cost about as much as new larger art pieces. Will investigate.
elcieg
last year
last modified: last year
Use a rod for hanging wall art. Hang it at the height of the highest piece. Rods will come in brass, too.

Buy two mid century style buffet lamps for either end of the sideboard. Then decorate the sideboard top. Your lamp will work... add a plant, candles...just 3 things.

If you like the staggered look better, P B has this set up, which will also fill up more of the wall.
mcarroll16 thanked elcieg
decoenthusiaste
last year
Consider stacking the three pieces vertically on the right side of the buffet. The bottom piece at about 5" above the buffet and the others one hand's breadth apart as you go vertically. Place a lamp that reaches the mid point of the stack at the end with the outlet. In the center place a pretty bowl with fruit or some stable decor items. Think about framing the pieces with a slim metal frame/ You can repeat that metal with the lamp and other accessories.
plantsarefriends
last year
I'm not an expert, but I think the space around them really makes them stand out, like in a gallery. One small canvas might look lonely, but this is a nice set of 3 so I really like this setup except for the lamp almost touching them.
spammie
last year
You can buy frames specifically for gallery-wrapped canvas: google ”floater frames” or ”floating frame” for canvas wraps.