Hanging pictures looks surprisingly simple, but where and how you hang art can make or break the whole look of a room. Interior design pros like those at Henry Miller Fine Art encourage people to think deeply about a number of things. This philosophy is the foundation for creating exceptional outcomes. This exhibition design guide provides a compilation of best practices for exhibiting artwork, ranging from spacing and height to the preservation of artwork.
When it comes to choosing how to get pictures on walls, a very popular rule of thumb is to leave around a 5cm space between each picture frame. For oversized artworks, opening this gap up to 15cm really helps the work feel like it has room to breathe and can greatly improve the look. In addition to layering your paint, it’s suggested to break the wall up into four horizontal segments. Incorporate the artwork low in the third panel or section. This strategic placement makes sure it’s at the ideal height for observation of it.
“The midpoint of a picture is often positioned 145cm-152cm from the floor,” said an interior design expert familiar with contemporary art placements. This height creates an ideal viewing experience while integrating seamlessly into the decor of the room. Moreover, pictures can be successfully installed 20cm over furniture items forming a harmonious appearance in home interiors.
Experts note that “pictures look different depending on where you hang them.” Thus, trying out different places in one room can result in finding the ideal place for every item. Homeowners can opt for an eye-catching statement piece or several works that come together beautifully as a ‘salon wall’. Whatever their choice, the hanging system should complement the unique look and feel of their residence.
For anyone who resides in period houses, chances are you may have a picture rail already installed. This feature can be used in conjunction with hooks and wires to optionally powerfully and easily mount or remove interchangeable artwork without harming walls. If you don’t have a picture rail, you can still hang without making holes. They’re just as effective at producing the same baleful result!
And beyond just placement, protecting acquired and commissioned artwork from damage is key. Henry Miller Fine Art recommends UV glass if you need to protect your items. This special type of glass protects artworks from harmful light damage. Most importantly, it ensures that the works are protected for decades to come. Homeowners in need of specific sizes can readily purchase UV glass sheets to fit their particular frames on retail websites such as Etsy. This new option allows them to easily defend their valuable artworks.
“The mediums used in artwork can influence their response to light,” warned Henry Miller. Some materials can withstand more UV exposure than others. Color oil paintings are generally much more robust, but not so with the more delicate medium of watercolors, drawings or photographs. This understanding should always be a key consideration when designing pedestrian-focused temporary art and interventions.
Select a hanging system and mounting location that aligns with your unique aesthetic priorities as a homeowner. It will make the rest of the piece look as great as possible, too. The proper placement and protection can really help bring attention to the work and positive visual impact of the artwork. By doing so they safeguard that each piece lives a little longer.