Nothing makes a house a home quite like what you choose to hang on your walls. Whether it’s treasured photos of family and friends, foraged sketches from antique fairs or a standout painting by a favourite artist, they reflect your life and personality.
Choosing a piece can be the simple part, but once you’ve found your “perfect” item, there are many other hoops to jump through, such as getting the arrangement just right. If this is the conundrum you find yourself in, let our Co-Founder and Creative Director, Sue Jones, pass on her tried-and-tested tips in this wall art buying guide.
Wall art is a term used to describe pieces that are hung in rooms as part of the decor. They’re typically chosen to suit the scheme of a space or reflect people’s individuality. This can include pictures, photos, decorative pieces or paintings, though for Sue, it can be even more meaningful.
“For me, art (and books) are how I brighten a room, for others, it can be the starting point of a whole scheme – it’s very personal. A single piece of art can add real impact, but you can spend a fortune on – and a lifetime searching for – one perfect piece to fill a wall space.”
There are types of wall art to match every home style and decor scheme. Some of the most common items people choose to hang in their rooms include:
—Posters of past events, favourite artists or meaningful eras can be easily put up and swapped out when desired
—Photos or framed art is a stylish, classic way of personalising a space and expressing individuality
—Metal or wood sculptures are bold, unusual ways to add character to walls and offer a good talking point
—Murals or wallpaper add colour, texture and personality to rooms and can form the starting point of a style scheme
—Mirrors are both practical and beautiful, offering striking shapes and creating a sense of spaciousness
—Print collections offer “a lot of bang for your buck”; a coordinated set is an easy way to add colour and interest in a cohesive way
—Tapestries or wall hangings add texture as well as colour and are perfect for creating bohemian warmth
—A polyptych, a four-piece artwork made up of one design that’s spread across different panels, is a great way to incorporate an image you love over a larger surface area.
—Gallery walls are ideal for incorporating art into your home without having to settle on one specific style. Choose a variety of sizes to create a really eclectic feel.
If you’re wondering how to choose wall art, remember to make sure you really like the content, says Sue. “In my opinion, anything can go on the wall; I’ve been known to hang beautiful rugs up, just because I love them, and why not?” There are so many art styles out there so if, like Sue, you’re more drawn to watercolours and oil paintings, go with your gut rather than be led by trends.
That said, try not to close yourself off to anything that’s a little out-of-the-ordinary. “I’ve been taken by surprise by pieces that I didn’t think would work and did,” explains Sue.
Don’t be afraid to mix different styles of art in one room, either. Just make sure there’s a cohesive element between the pieces you choose and the rest of the space to ensure they work in harmony. This could be something as small as the colour palette or motifs used.
If you love a piece and it’s not looking how you hoped, chances are the frame isn’t quite right. According to Sue, if you want your wall art to look good, “an expert framer is your best friend and can offer lots of advice for finding the perfect match.”
There are lots of different types of frames to choose from. Sometimes, a contemporary picture will call for a traditional frame or one you might never have thought to select. So, having a specialist lend their eye can be extremely helpful.
How wall art is lit can make a huge difference, too. To avoid the glare from the glass of a framed piece, which completely ruins it, directional lighting is best. Sue recommends using recessed ceiling lights to show pieces off at their best.
To show your wall art at its best, you need to hang and arrange it correctly. As Sue explains, “It’s not just the piece itself, but where you choose to hang it.”
Follow her guidance below to create the ideal wall art arrangement:
—The general rule is that pictures should be at eye level on a wall. However, the position will also be influenced by the type and amount of furniture in the room, as well as the lighting
—Getting the arrangement right can be tricky, so Sue always lays everything on the floor in front of the wall first before starting to hang to get the positioning and spacing right more easily
—Take textures into account and experiment. “We have exposed stone, wood and plaster [in my home] – and the different background surfaces change how items look,” explains Sue.
—If you’ve tried positioning artwork in the usual focal points – such as above the bed or at the top of the stairs – and it’s still not looking quite right, don’t be afraid to try them in more weird and wonderful places
—To hang your art, Sue says, “A spirit level is essential, as are good quality pins and wire, and, sometimes, a trusty bit of Blu Tack!”
Sue’s most important advice is to enjoy choosing, arranging and hanging your wall art. They’re very personal expressions of your own style, so don’t be afraid to integrate them into your home in your own way.
“There’s something delightful about throwing things on their head a little, like the surprise of finding a really beautiful picture in the downstairs loo – the best things don’t necessarily have to be in ‘prime’ position,” says Sue. “I had a portrait of me done years ago and I’d rather fly to the moon than hang it right over the fireplace.”