The wonderful thing about art is that it can be used to inject your own personality into your new home. And despite what some might say, you don’t have to be an expert to acquire a collection of artwork to be proud of. You’d be surprised just how many beautiful and affordable pieces are on the market these days (try your luck at auctions and vintage stores). When it comes to buying art, there really is only one golden rule – buy what you love. Your home is a reflection of you, and artwork is the perfect way to express yourself.
Having said that, a house full of blank walls can be quite intimidating. Where do you start and how do you create a cohesive look throughout your home? If you’re like a lot of people, you’ve probably collected a few pieces of artwork over the years, and now you’re wondering how to group and display them. Is it better to have one hero piece and make a grand statement on a large wall, or should you go with clusters of pictures or photos? Or a combination of both? There really are no hard and fast rules, but before you start, check out the following tips to help you make the most of the artwork in your home.
Remember, artwork comes in many forms. And it doesn’t have to be behind glass or in an expensive frame. It can take the form of a canvas, photography, embroidery, weaving or even a child’s painting taped to the wall. In fact, a varied collection creates enormous interest, and as long as you enjoy looking at it, nothing else really matters. But when it comes to deciding on the best place to hang it, there are a few things you need to consider first, such as:
• the room’s colour palette – colour is very emotive and can set the mood in any room. Artwork should always complement the dominant tones in a room, so keep this in mind when selecting key pieces. For example, choose one colour from the artwork itself, and reference it with your choice of soft furnishings and other decorative objects for maximum impact.
• create cohesion – art doesn’t have to match the colour of your furniture, however if you have mostly neutral tones in your home, hanging a colourful piece of art without adding any coordinating colour to the rest of the room won’t work. Your artwork will always look better when the furniture and decor complement the artwork. Repeating colours that feature in the artwork increases impact, which is key when you’re selecting pieces for your home.
The framing you choose for your art is an important consideration, as it affects the overall look you’re trying to achieve. On a practical note, it will also help protect your artwork. Simple timber frames are an effective way to complement your art and add warmth to your decor, but it really is a case of personal taste. Alternatively, you can create a striking look for your home with monochrome framing in black or white. Using similar frames in a group can help create a cohesive look, even when the artworks themselves may differ in style. This works particularly well on a long ‘gallery-style’ wall.
Whether you keep all of your artwork in a similar framing style or opt for an eclectic look is entirely up to you. And remember, you don’t need to frame everything in your space. For a more casual look, cork walls are very popular, offering a more informal way to display your art (especially your children’s masterpieces!). Simply use tacks or washi-tape to attach the art to your wall. The possibilities are endless, so let your creativity shine!
Hanging artwork requires precision, especially if you’re creating a gallery wall. So before you start hammering away, follow this easy guide – or call a handyman!
Measure all of your artwork and use masking tape or brown paper to recreate the shape and size of the pieces in position on the wall. Then take a step back to ensure it feels spatially right. Guessing doesn’t cut it, as you don’t want to be creating more holes in your walls than necessary. The general rule for hanging pictures is that they should be at eye level. And avoid hanging them in direct sunlight or near heat sources, as this could damage your artwork.
If you’re hanging a heavy picture on a plaster wall, it’s best to find a stud where you can securely anchor the wall hook. However, if there’s no stud where you want to hang your artwork, there are plenty of options for anchoring wall hooks into plaster walls, including hollow wall anchors or toggles that expand and spread the pressure when installed.
For lightweight pictures, try adhesive hooks, which can safely be removed from the wall without damaging the paintwork. There are plenty of options available at hardware stores and supermarkets. If you have brick walls, simply drill a hole with a masonry bit, hammer in a plastic wall plug or some expansion spaghetti and insert the screw. Or, if you have timber panelling, a nail, screw or picture hook should do the job. If you’re hanging a canvas or picture frame that you want to sit flush against the wall, try a flush mount wall hanging kit.
As a general rule, you don’t want the artwork to be larger than the piece of furniture it is hanging above. At the same time, you don’t want it too small. The goal is to create balance. For example, if you have a huge wall running the length of your living area, don’t go for a small, single artwork. Instead, use a larger artwork or group smaller pieces together.
Artwork doesn’t just enhance your home’s interior, it brings life and dimension to a space. It says something about you and makes the space more interesting. So follow your heart and choose artwork that makes you happy!
At Hallmark Homes, we know that creating a cohesive look for your new home is vital, as it can add enormous value to your greatest asset. And we look forward to assisting you with this exciting process.
Our expert Selection Centre Consultants will personally guide you through all your colour selections, ensuring that everything you choose works together seamlessly, both inside and out. They will also help you with all of your choices when it comes to appliances, finishes, fixtures, plus much more. Our Selection Centre, Select by Hallmark, is exclusive to Hallmark Homes’ clients, and entry is by appointment only.
Thinking of building a new home in South-East Queensland? The friendly team at Hallmark Homes is ready to help. Come and check out one of our display centres for yourself. If you have any questions about our home designs or house and land packages, please contact us today.
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