10 Broad-Stroke Ideas for Choosing and Displaying Art

Conquer bare walls with these easy, unintimidating basics for picking meaningful artwork and hanging it right

Natalie Myers March 15, 2013

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Art can pull a room together, although the right ways to display it can seem elusive. We hope the art we display does not feel like an accessory to the furniture. We want it to reflect a sense of our tastes and deeper selves. And so searching for the right piece — and the right place for it — can be intimidating, a challenge that we put off. Here's help so you can rise to the challenge.

Blue Tangerine Art

A mixture of paintings, photographs and sculpture collected over time and travels weaves a layered tapestry about one’s interests and aesthetic. Think about which medium you prefer and where your tastes lean before you start shopping. The goal is to pinpoint pieces that mean something to you, not simply choose decor to fill wall space.

Add custom artwork to your collection

Upscale Construction

Determine how much space you have available and search for pieces that are the right size. A rule of thumb is to have the art fill two-thirds to three-quarters of the wall. Size matters — for contemporary art, bigger is better to maximize impact.

Beckwith Interiors

Another rule of thumb for hanging art is to center it at eye level. Consider if you'll usually be standing or sitting in the space, and select your eye-level height accordingly.

twenty7 design

Photography looks best mounted in Plexiglas or acrylic frames. Dare to be edgy when using art photography.

Incorporated

When hanging art above a sofa or another piece of furniture, like a credenza, keep the bottom edge of the frame 6 to 12 inches above the furniture.

Hire a local handyman to hang your artwork and wall decor

Thom Filicia Inc.

Large-scale pieces can be more expensive. If you can’t make that type of investment yet, create a gallery wall of smaller prints grouped together to take the place of one large piece. Reframe pieces you already own to give them a new life.

Incorporated

For a budget-friendly piece, stretch a handsome, high-quality textile across a blank canvas or stretcher bars.

Desire to Inspire

A constant question is how to integrate a flat-screen TV into a design scheme. A lively gallery wall can help.

Dayne Keating

Use works by the same artist or works that have a common style to bring cohesiveness and a curated feel to the art on display. Notice how the red pillows and pomegranates complement the red tones in the art.

Croma Design Inc.

Try making art the inspiration point for a whole room’s color palette and material choices. Doesn’t this serene bedroom look like it was informed by the artwork, rather than the artwork being added at the end?

Work with an interior designer to select art for your home