When it comes to decorating, being efficient with your living space should extend all the way up to your walls.
This can require some thought. Too much wall decor can actually make your home look smaller than it actually is. That's why it's crucial to strike a visual balance between framed photos or art and your empty wall space so that your home looks more cozy than cluttered.
Here are a few art hanging tips and tricks to maximize your decor even in a small space.
1. Keep It Simple
Custom framing is our passion, but not every wall needs to be filled to the brim with a gallery of frames, and too many patterns, colors, or images can overwhelm a room. In this case, less can be more, so pick a uniform color scheme and style to stick with.
Think of your walls like the pages in a book, each paragraph is separated with spacing to offer the reader some breathing room. The same can be applied to your interiors.
Pro tip: The less pieces of art on your walls, the more each will get their own spotlight and undivided attention.
Photo Credit: @tndesign
2. Keep It Up
A smaller wall space, like the one between your door and a corner of your room, is the perfect blank canvas for hanging framed art.
You can visually expand your space by stacking a series of smaller framed artwork vertically towards the ceiling, but not to the point where it's tough to hang or can strain your neck. Or create a vertical collage picture frame using your own photos designed specifically to fit in the space.
Don't be afraid to combine frames (or art) of various sizes into the mix. They'll look organized as long as they are centered together as a column and can add a lot of personality to a home with very limited space. We've created our own version of this column layout with our Tall Stack gallery wall design.
Photo Credit: Studio Mcgee
3. Keep It Creative
If you find that your walls are too small to accommodate your frames, it's time to get creative with your personal art gallery. Sometimes all it takes is some tweaking and rule breaking to find a happy balance.
Instead of hanging frames, take a less conventional approach and lean some art against a wall, on a desk, bookshelf or even your floor.
Bonus points for one-of-a-kind locations like your piano. Just lean them back, relax, and enjoy your space. As an added benefit, this saves you the trouble of hammering holes in your walls.
Photo Credits: Andrea Hubbell via Coco + Kelley and @fibreanddwell
4. Keep It Large
Going big with your art can make an outsize statement in a small space. Installing one large wall decor item makes it the focal point of a room, giving the perception of a larger space without cutting into the living area.
Framing oversize artwork has become a specialty of ours, and we are here to help if you have anything over 36" to custom frame.
On another note, a gallery wall doesn’t always have to be confined to one wall - don’t be afraid to take up a section of two joining walls with multiple frames. This provides enough negative space on both sides and can make your home feel more open.
Pro tip: If large works of art don't suit your budget, use thinner frames with larger mats to exaggerate the size of small artwork.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
For those of us who call a studio or apartment "home", every inch of space is a premium. Don't let this discourage you.
Embellish your walls using some of these tips. Not only does art reflect your style, it can also entertain, tell a story, insight new ideas, and give the perception of something bigger, even in a small area.
Ready to customize your own frame? Learn more about framing online and the premium ingredients in each handcrafted custom frame.
