On Display: 6 Ways to Add Impact to Your Art Arrangements
An interior designer shares the tricks of the trade for creating dynamic and eye-catching art arrangements
Georgia Madden
29 April 2018
It’s no secret that art can bring personality and energy to a space, but sometimes – despite your best efforts – the arrangement can fall flat. We’ve asked Rohan Smith, senior interior designer at Coco Republic, to share his top tips for adding finesse and firepower to your art arrangements.
1. Hang low for high impact
For maximum impact, hang larger pieces of art low – approximately 20 centimetres from the bottom of the frame to the top of the sofa or console. This will ground the piece of art to the furniture.
If you’re looking to hang smaller works of art above a piece of furniture, consider hanging them in a group of three or more to create a sense of balance.
Vive La Différence! Make Your Bathroom Stand Out From the Crowd
For maximum impact, hang larger pieces of art low – approximately 20 centimetres from the bottom of the frame to the top of the sofa or console. This will ground the piece of art to the furniture.
If you’re looking to hang smaller works of art above a piece of furniture, consider hanging them in a group of three or more to create a sense of balance.
Vive La Différence! Make Your Bathroom Stand Out From the Crowd
2. Mix it up
Mixing together different styles of art makes for a far more interesting and dynamic collection than a grouping of very similar pieces. Don’t be afraid to combine portraits, photography, mixed media and watercolours all in the one arrangement – you’ll find that their different textures, styles and colours work together to create a really impactful look.
If you want a little more of a cohesive feel, you can tie the selection together by colour or theme (such as the ocean or nature).
Grouping artwork in this way is known as ‘salon-style’ hanging. Balance is the key to making this technique work. Start by laying pieces on the floor. Begin with the largest piece (which will be the central focus) and, working outwards, place the smaller pieces around it until you’re happy with the look. Be sure to have the same distance between each piece.
Tip: Bear in mind that people ‘read’ artwork as they would read a book – from left to right. Keep heavier frames and darker pieces to the left of the arrangement.
Mixing together different styles of art makes for a far more interesting and dynamic collection than a grouping of very similar pieces. Don’t be afraid to combine portraits, photography, mixed media and watercolours all in the one arrangement – you’ll find that their different textures, styles and colours work together to create a really impactful look.
If you want a little more of a cohesive feel, you can tie the selection together by colour or theme (such as the ocean or nature).
Grouping artwork in this way is known as ‘salon-style’ hanging. Balance is the key to making this technique work. Start by laying pieces on the floor. Begin with the largest piece (which will be the central focus) and, working outwards, place the smaller pieces around it until you’re happy with the look. Be sure to have the same distance between each piece.
Tip: Bear in mind that people ‘read’ artwork as they would read a book – from left to right. Keep heavier frames and darker pieces to the left of the arrangement.
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3. Think big
One of the most common mistakes people make is to select artworks that are too small for the space.
If you’re sourcing an artwork from a gallery, ensure your chosen piece fits the scale of the intended location by asking the gallery if you can bring it home ‘on approval’. This will not only allow you to see if the piece is large enough to suit your space, but will reveal whether the colours and shapes will work in your home too.
If you absolutely love an artwork, but find it’s too small for the space, consider re-framing it with a larger and more significant mount.
Tip: Be sure to leave some of the walls in the room bare – this shines a light on your art arrangement, and ensures that it’s the focus in a room. Including negative space in a room in this way also adds a bit of breathing space and makes it feel calmer.
See more stunning dining rooms
One of the most common mistakes people make is to select artworks that are too small for the space.
If you’re sourcing an artwork from a gallery, ensure your chosen piece fits the scale of the intended location by asking the gallery if you can bring it home ‘on approval’. This will not only allow you to see if the piece is large enough to suit your space, but will reveal whether the colours and shapes will work in your home too.
If you absolutely love an artwork, but find it’s too small for the space, consider re-framing it with a larger and more significant mount.
Tip: Be sure to leave some of the walls in the room bare – this shines a light on your art arrangement, and ensures that it’s the focus in a room. Including negative space in a room in this way also adds a bit of breathing space and makes it feel calmer.
See more stunning dining rooms
4. Soften up
Hanging other objects on your walls such as tapestries, quilts or rugs, adds depth to your arrangement and creates a warm, cosy feel. It’s also a great way to assist with acoustic control in large spaces that are short on soft furnishings, such as tiled entry areas and kitchens.
Hanging other objects on your walls such as tapestries, quilts or rugs, adds depth to your arrangement and creates a warm, cosy feel. It’s also a great way to assist with acoustic control in large spaces that are short on soft furnishings, such as tiled entry areas and kitchens.
5. Add in the unexpected
The most impactful art pieces in a home are those that are a little unexpected. Selecting something with a really creative application, such as a print with gold- or silver-leaf detail that catches the light, or a hand-dipped gold feather framed in a perspex shadow box, creates instant drama and a real talking point when you have guests over.
Tip: Not all pieces need to be framed. Having a mixture of pieces including un-framed canvases is a great way to add interest to your collection.
The most impactful art pieces in a home are those that are a little unexpected. Selecting something with a really creative application, such as a print with gold- or silver-leaf detail that catches the light, or a hand-dipped gold feather framed in a perspex shadow box, creates instant drama and a real talking point when you have guests over.
Tip: Not all pieces need to be framed. Having a mixture of pieces including un-framed canvases is a great way to add interest to your collection.
6. Take it off the wall
Don’t restrict your artwork to walls. Try propping a small-scale artwork, such as a soft watercolour, on a shelf as part of a decor vignette. Lean it up against the wall and pair with a small stack of books or an accessory such as a piece of coral or crystal for a look that’s casual yet elegant.
Don’t restrict your artwork to walls. Try propping a small-scale artwork, such as a soft watercolour, on a shelf as part of a decor vignette. Lean it up against the wall and pair with a small stack of books or an accessory such as a piece of coral or crystal for a look that’s casual yet elegant.
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All great tips! Definitely agree that one of the most common mistakes people make is to select artworks that are too small for the space, and not leaving some of the walls in the room bare.
Thanks Sam for the ideas. I can't put a mirror in front of the art wall section as there is a door opposite. I think I will put some larger sculpture piece in this nook. The grouping of photos/paintings are great ideas.
In my hall I have positioned a large picture directly opposite the door into my living area. It allows the distance to appreciate it as it is now better seen from the living area.