Art Collecting 101: 7 ways to display art beautifully at home & office

How do you display art? While being an art collector may sound too serious, many of us have paintings at home. They may be small or by the unknown artists, gifts or simple prints that decorate our spaces. So we want to hang them prominently to add beauty and peace to our homes. There are several effective ways to display your art collection at home and office.

What’s to consider in wall art display

When you want to hang your painting, consider the following parameters:

#1 Consider the wall space size to make a statement with large art.

Large painting should take the majority of wall space in a room’s center. The art should have some of the colors seen in the room. Give one prominent art piece all the space it needs. Arrange other paintings around it.

Virtual walls interior illustrates how strong colors of the walls complement the drawing’s hues. the art takes most of the wall space above the couch.

Don’t place small artwork too high on a large wall

One big mistake people make is placing small artwork too high on a large wall, so it gets lost in the space. Consider hanging one large painting instead. It should take up most of your wall space. It’s easy to determine the length of the painting by measuring the length of your sofa. Art should take 3/4 of its length.

wall art displays-veronica winters

#2 Painting’s size. Display art in multiples or in tight arrangements.

You’re not doomed, if you have small paintings. Small art works great in intimate spaces with small walls in a corridor or kitchen, or in a cozy guest room. Small art can also be a part of multiples arrangement.

how to frame art on canvas
Art display in an arrangement where every painting has a unique frame and size.

Zena Holloway, the Directed Art Modern at the art fair | This is a different kind of art display where photographs have equal arrangement on the right that balances out one vertical piece on the left.

#3 Other wall art display ideas

Consider other displays shown below.

This is a gallery wall display at an art fair that shows multiple paintings hung on one wall. Notice that they have identical framing, size and theme. Two large paintings balance the small ones in the middle of art wall display.
Pitti Palace art-Florence. Look at this exuberant wall art display of paintings that have different size, frame and format. Notice that gold is the unifying element in this wall art arrangement.
interior space-veronica winters art

#4 Let main colors of the painting “connect” with the hues of your home accents

Color harmony. Color harmony is important in every space. Usually, if you have light and neutral walls, almost any artwork would fit into the room beautifully. Sometimes walls might have strong colors, and it’s tricky to find the right painting for it. Your chosen painting should echo some of the hues you already have in the space. Yet, sometimes it works great when strong colors of the wall complement the main color in the painting.

how to display art in interior space
A commissioned triptych at the art collector’s home in Pennsylvania. Let few colors of the painting “connect” with the hues of your home accents (curtains, pillows, vases, lamps). Art should take 3/4 of its length. The space was quite big and we decided to make 3 – 36”panels to fill the wall space properly. Notice how colors in the painting tie in with the furniture and decorum of this living room.

#5 Don’t mix gold and silver accents in one room

Try not to mix gold and silver (frames, chandeliers, furniture and accents) in one room. It’s overwhelming visually.

Abbotsford house | This beautiful room has a color play of green-reds mixed with some gold accents. Gold frames add opulence to one of the rooms in the castle of Sir Walter Scott, the 19th century novelist and ‘Great Scott’ who saved the Scottish banknote and rediscovered his country’s Crown Jewels.

#6 If you have an art show…

If you have an art show, hang you wall art at the 57-inch level.

how to display art

#7 Frame art well

Think how the frame style complements both your art and interior space. Do you have contemporary, white space with clean lines and minimalist appearance or do you like baroque-inspired rooms? Framing should reflect your aesthetic to have coherent look.

John Duncan 1866-1945, Scottish artist, St.Bride,1913 | This ornate frame is a perfect extension for this beautiful artwork.
Jan van Eyck, Portrait of a man, 1433 | Gold frame complements the skin tones in the portrait and contrasts the dark background.

Check out this extensive blog post about framing here: https://veronicasart.com/how-to-frame-art-on-paper-and-on-canvas/

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If you’re interested in my Colored Pencil Techniques video course, visit: Veronica Winters Art School