Picture arrangement can either be the simplest or hardest thing you can do. The way your pictures are arranged can make your home very beautiful and interesting or..... well let's just say needful of assistance. The arrangement of art is more than just hanging pictures on the wall and allowing them to simply take up space in a tedious and uninspired way.
First thing I recommend is to forget all the rules about hanging art. They usually make for boring walls with all their measurements and precision. Yes, you have to get multiple pictures straight etcetera, but to have measurements for how high to hang them, how far apart, how many, NO!!! Take a tip from Old World style art arranging and bring that style into the present. I have pictures hung high, low, and anywhere in between in my old 125 year old house with 12 foot ceilings. And people love it when they come to visit because they say it is interesting and not typical.
While there are many ways to display art, this particular post is about unique ways to arrange and spotlight paintings that you might not have considered. So toss out the stale regulations and jump in with both feet to make your art displays inventive, fun, and by all means INTERESTING! Enjoy the old world interiors (you know me), and the more modern spaces as well. Both styles can benefit from unique art arrangements!
Howard Slatkin, designer and author of the book "Fifth Avenue Style", knows all too well how to create lavish, carefully curated and interesting interiors. Here he breaks the rules and hangs art on the window of his beautiful NY apartment. When you close the draperies the paintings seem to float in the room. I have done this is my home as well.
Contemporary homes many times have large-scale windows in place of a wall. Hanging artwork on them can help you create an unique and stylish art gallery.
Don't limit you doors to transportation between rooms. They can act as beautiful mini art galleries when closed. Secure your pictures top and bottom to prevent movement and noise when opening and closing. Also use a real ribbon like in this space.......
......or if you are a lover of charming homes with decorative touches, simply paint a ribbon on the door to hang your art on as this homeowner has done.
If you have a door that is not used, turn it into wall space and by all means hang art on it. This lovely door and wildlife art is in the home of fabulous interior decorator Timothy Corrigan.
Robert Kime
Designer Robert Kime is known for hanging paintings and other art with chains or cording from picture rods that run the entirety of a room, just slightly below the ceiling. Picture rods were popular in the Victorian era.
Robert Kime
The art arrangement is attractive and unique. Plus it's inventive if you simply cannot bear making nail holes in your walls.
This type of art arrangement can be very useful if you are a homeowner that frequently changes the art on display. There are plenty of on-line sites where you can get info on how to create your own picture rods.
Renzo Mongiardino
I love using a fold screen for an unique and interesting art arrangement. You can create a small art gallery that can be tucked into a corner, behind a sofa, or as the headboard of a bed. Be creative! The ways to use this unique art display style are endless. Mix up the art.......
or go with a specific theme such as the portraits seen here in this art arrangement.
via Pinterest
This unique and charming art arrangement on folding screen features lovely botanicals all similar and framed identically.
Nathan Turner
To create more interest on the wall above a piece of furniture, arrange smaller pieces of art around a mirror .....
Rifat Ozbek. Photography by James Merrell
a larger work of art. This will expand the space and make it appear larger and more lavish.
Imagine this interior without the coordinated arrangement of art around the central picture. It would lack uniqueness and just wouldn't generate the same interest.
Design legend, John Fowler
An interesting art arrangement incorporating the wall sconces and vases. What makes this work is that the pictures are hung directly underneath the sconces and the result looks like a cohesive unit.
Also look at the large picture on the right. I like the way it is suspended from ribbons on each end as opposed to the more typical way above the fireplace.
Photography by photo by James Fennell
Arranging art on the spaces over doors and windows will provide an interesting display in old world interiors.
And don't sell the look short for modern rooms as well.
Here is another variation. Use your imagination and come up with unique and unexpected places to hang your art where you will get the sought after "wow" from visitors.
Mario Buatto
If you love antique English interiors, hanging your art in ribbons with the three loop bow at the top will give you the old world look you are after.
Interior by Lillian Williams in the book 18th Century Decorating.
via Pinterest
There is always a way to incorporate old world aesthetics into new homes. Here is the same art arrangement style with a contemporary variation. And again look for clever places to put your display your art as this homeowner has. This is a very engaging foyer with a curved art gallery wall.
via Pinterest
When arranging your art gallery style be sure to look for unique ways to clusters pictures of different sizes to fill the space intentionally.
Or as São Paulo based architect Jorge Elias has done here, completely cover your room's walls with like framed art to create a unique art gallery.
With a little imagination you can create a fabric wall to hang your art collection on that is reminiscent of Napoleon's campaign tent. Just drape your walls by using large decorative tacks and then suspend the art on cording, chains, or ribbons. Perfect if you want a layered interesting arrangement.
Framed antique and reproduction maps is still a popular decorating trend. This interesting way of arranging the map art is different and stylish. Just pin your large map to the wall and proceed to frame sections accordingly.
Instead of hanging art on large sections of wall, try arranging stacked pieces in the spaces between windows. Save the large walls for mirrors or maybe a tapestry.
viaPinterest
Arrangements like this will immediately make your space feel cozy and warm. Don't freak out if a painting extends onto the window......just go with it!
One of my favorite ways to display art is to arrange it over library walls full of books. Whether you hang one large piece......
or a mix of several random sized pieces,
Cookbook author Alex Hitz's Los Angeles home
this unique type of art arrangement adds interest and sophistication to your library.
The home of Annette and Oscar de la Renta
Cozy and interesting art arrangement on bedroom bookshelves. Look for unusual spaces in your home to transform into breathtaking art displays.
Stephanie Stokes
Making a gallery wall to extend your headboard is another creative and unique art arrangement to try yourself.
Word of advice! This type of art arrangement looks best with uniform frames that extend the eye upward making your walls look taller. A mishmash of odd sizes will not give you the same effect but with cut down the height of the wall.
There has to be some cohesiveness in the gallery art you arrange above the headboard in order to pull off an eye pleasing look similar to this lovely example. Even though it is somewhat trendy to use odd sizes and frames in all directions, this will not give you the same effect. If your artwork is laid out in horizontal fashion, your walls will look lower. The idea is to make them look as tall as possible so think vertical and like (but not exactly) framed.
via Pinterest
Don't be afraid to layer pieces of art. The look is dimensional, interesting, and refreshing.
via Pinterest
Hopefully now you will try a different approach to arranging your artwork. Break the rules and make it interesting!!!
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This blog post was published by Lisa Farmer
In the event that I have not credited the correct source of an image, please contact me at lisafarmerdesigns46@yahoo.com and I would be glad to correct it.