Whether it's your own creation, a much loved heirloom, a gift or a prized souvenir purchase, art enriches our lives. A picture draws the eye and allows the mind to wander, setting the mood in any room.
Displaying artwork
Rather than displaying everything you own, select pieces that are meaningful to you right now, and give them the space they deserve.
Having said that, a gallery wall can look stunning, particularly if your selections have something in common (for example, a colour, a shape or a theme). It pays to map out your gallery wall – use paper templates and blue tack to stand in for your pictures. Emily Henderson has some tips for making a gallery wall.
What height should I hang pictures?
An easy rule of thumb is to hang your artwork so that the centre of the picture is at eye level. But do take into account furniture heights and sightlines when you plan your positioning.
Which fixings do I need to hang my pictures?
A trip to an ironmongers or DIY shop will show that there is a vast array of different fixings for hanging things on walls. So the first step is to find out what type of wall you have, and to consider the weight of the pictures you are hanging.
Pictures that weigh less than 6.5kg can be hung using adhesive strips – but do check the instructions to ensure your wall and the picture are suitable.
Lightweight pictures can be hung on plasterboard with two-pin hooks, which you nail on to the wall. On stud walls, you can use screws to hang pictures on a stud, or a self-drill fixing in between studs . For brick walls, use adhesive strips, or drill a hole and use a wall plug and screw.
How can I hang pictures if I'm renting?
There are ways of hanging pictures without damaging the wall surface. Some adhesive strips can be used without damaging paintwork. If you have picture rails in your rental, all you need is some picture hooks and picture wire to display your artwork.
Or you can agree with your landlord that you will fill any picture holes and make the paint good at the end of your tenancy.
Tips for curating your art
Changing your displayed artwork is an easy win to quickly freshen up your walls. And it gives you the perfect excuse to create more art, or to buy or acquire pictures that you really love.
Rather than stacking pictures that aren't on display in your attic or in the corner of your spare room, put them into your storage unit to ensure they look their best when you come to display them.
Climate controlled storage will keep your pictures out of damaging sunlight and away from dust and pests. A stable environment is kindest to fragile media and will safeguard paint from cracking and flaking. Learn more about storing artwork from our post.
Your stored pictures will be covered by self-storage insurance, which a reputable storage company will insist on. But if the value of your stored items has changed, it's worth getting a quote for your self-storage insurance to make sure you're not overpaying each month.
Enjoy your art collection by displaying it to its best advantage
Pictures can be the making of a room, so make sure you get the most out of the artwork you love by displaying it and enjoying it.
