Wall Art Placement Tips: How to Avoid Common Mistakes

Wall Art Placement Tips: How to Avoid Common Mistakes

Wall art has the power to transform a space with personality and style for your home. However, improper placement would detract from its impact, making even the most beautiful artwork look out of place. Here's how to avoid common mistakes and achieve a harmonious look with your wall art.

1. Don't Ignore Size Proportions

The most frequent mistake is the selection of artwork that is too small or too big for the space. When the artwork is too small, it may get lost in a large wall, and oversized art will overwhelm a small room. Avoid that by thinking about the scale for both your wall and your artwork. There's a general guideline to use artwork covering two-thirds of the wall's width. To illustrate this, if you have a big blank wall, it could suit either a group of smaller pieces or the use of a single large art piece.

2. Ignore the Eye Level

What is primarily important for the best view is placement at eye level. The perfect height for art is between 57-60 inches measured to the center of the piece from the floor. This will fall in line with the average human eye level thus giving a comfortable view condition. Otherwise, placing pieces up or down the wall too high or too low causes the flow of how the visitor views the room less inviting.

3. Poor consideration of leaver or space above the Artwork.

Another bad habit is ignoring the leaves, or space above the art. There are some artworks that require breathing space. Avoid hanging those pieces too close to furniture or architectural features. A minimum of 6-12 inches should separate the art from any other elements within its vicinity. This will make the art pop and stand out without having to fight with other decor within the space.

4. Ignore the Purpose of the Wall

Art should function in the service of a given rooms intent. Meaning, with a dining area, art brings the table and chairs together in a harmonious fashion. In a living room, art should blend with the seating arrangement. Add art that elevates the rooms intent, not takes it away. When considering a gallery wall, make sure your collected pieces work together and synchronize with the common flow of the room.

5. Ignore the Lighting

Appropriate lighting is what will highlight your art on the walls. Avoid areas where direct sunlight will cause fading to the artwork over time. Instead, use dimmable lighting to draw attention to the art and highlight its details. A good installation of wall-mounted lights or picture lights can work like a gallery setting where that art is properly lit.

6. Forget to Care About the Context of Art

It should finally be a representation of your own style and decor in the room. Avoid having artwork that may conflict with your color scheme or your furniture. Instead, you can settle for some art pieces that richen your color palette for that room. If there are several styles within one room, maintain some unity amongst them. You may consider using some common color theme or motif to tie them together.

With these tips in mind, you may avoid common placement mistakes and be rest assured that your wall art will make your space more beautiful and harmonious. Thoughtful placement maximizes the visual impact from your artwork but also creates a more cohesive and inviting atmosphere.

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