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Hanging Artwork? "Ask the Expert"

By
Home Stager with Styled and Sold Home Staging and Staging Training

 

Recently Published "Ask the Expert" article in Dan's Papers

The Question: We recently repainted the interior of our home. After re-working the furniture arrangement we put it all back into place and are very pleased with our “new look.” We have collected a few nice pieces of art over the years and the last step is to re-hang them. Before we do, are there any “tricks of the trade” as far as how to place artwork that you could share to achieve that “designer look?”

 

The Answer from Allegra Dioguardi of Styled and Sold: Great question! Good artwork placement can be the icing on the cake. When placed correctly, art can contribute to a polished and professionally designed look. When hanging artwork you must consider several factors; size/scale of the pieces, subject matter and color. The most common mistakes people make is hanging art that is too small and spread too far apart as well as hanging pieces in the same room that are not compatible with one and other.

 

A good rule of thumb when determining the correct size and scale of artwork needed is, art placed over an object such as a sofa, a bed, a mantle etc. should span between 1/3 and 3/4 of the length of whatever it is hung over. If it spans less than 1/3 of whatever it is hung over- it will appear too small. When placing art on an unencumbered wall, such as in a hallway, the art should span about 1/3 to 1/2 of the space. Be bold; don’t be intimidated by larger scale art.

 

Start by hanging your most impressive artwork on a focal wall (the first and most important wall you see upon entering a room) whenever possible.  Utilizing pieces in the same room that have a common denominator such as subject matter (nature, portraits, animals etc.), color story, frame style or style of art (contemporary, abstract etc) will help tie it all together. Please note, you probably only need one commonality so that it all looks like it belongs together. Have fun mixing up art that you love. Once you are proficient and get the hang of placing art go with your instincts and remember that in design, “ All rules are meant to be broken.”

 

Pairs of prints and groups of threes and fours are great for creating impact. Pairs should be hung close together, 2 to 4 inches apart for the strongest effect. Hanging artwork further apart and will appear under-scaled and just screams “I don’t have enough art, so I’m spreading it out!” (Better to have one or two walls done correctly!)  On volume walls or walls with high ceilings, utilizing groupings of artwork will help to draw the eye upward and accentuate the volume.

 

When hanging a grouping of artwork, lay it out on the floor first and arrange it until it’s pleasing and has achieved some balance. I like to incorporate mirrors, decorative plates, brackets, shutters and iron pieces to expand a grouping. You are only limited by your imagination.

Looking for assistance hanging art in your own home or have other home redesign questions? You can visit Allegra Dioguardi of Styled and Sold at www.styledandsold.com or call her at 631-599-1297.

Posted by

Allegra Dioguardi

Styled and Sold Home Staging

Staging Training by Design

Styled by Design E Book

631-899-3305

Comments (12)

Liz Murray
Renaissance Home Staging & Redesign - Chandler, AZ
Professional Home Stager

I like this.   It shows examples of how scale of artwork can enhance the room's surroundings.   It ties it all together

Sep 08, 2011 05:39 PM
Allegra Dioguardi
Styled and Sold Home Staging and Staging Training - Westhampton Beach, NY
Home Staging & Training, Suffolk Co. Long Island

Thanks for your comment Liz. I have found that things like art and accessories can be like adding jewelry to that "little black dress" when it comes to design and staging art can really complete the look and tie everything together.

Sep 09, 2011 05:06 AM
Wendy Tomm
Beyond the Walls - East St Paul, MB
CCSP, RESA-PRO, BBB - Wpg Realtors
Nice post. Most of my clients are given a lesson mentioning things that you have blogged about to assist them in hanging art. After they do it is always a wow factor.
Sep 09, 2011 07:34 AM
Allegra Dioguardi
Styled and Sold Home Staging and Staging Training - Westhampton Beach, NY
Home Staging & Training, Suffolk Co. Long Island

Thanks Wendy, I appreciate your comments!

Sep 09, 2011 08:43 AM
Kevin Vitali
EXIT Realty Beatrice Associates - Middleton, MA
Helping Massachusetts Home Buyers and Home Sellers

Great tip... also see people hanging artwork too high!!

Sep 14, 2011 04:13 AM
Allegra Dioguardi
Styled and Sold Home Staging and Staging Training - Westhampton Beach, NY
Home Staging & Training, Suffolk Co. Long Island

Very goo point kevin, I compltely agree!

Sep 14, 2011 07:31 AM
Tori Toth
Tori Toth, International - Howard Beach, NY
888.667.6643 NYC & Beyond, HSR, SAR, RESA, LIBOR

great picture, hanging artwork is my least favorite thing to do, I always get someone to do it for me.

Sep 24, 2011 12:23 PM
Allegra Dioguardi
Styled and Sold Home Staging and Staging Training - Westhampton Beach, NY
Home Staging & Training, Suffolk Co. Long Island

Thanks Tori. I am a fan of your work as well!

Sep 24, 2011 12:34 PM
Ed Kurosz , Lic. Assoc. RE Broker
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Westhampton Beach & Quogue - Westhampton Beach, NY
Douglas Elliman Real Estate Hamptons & North Fork

Allegra:

Congratulations on achieving the 2011 Dan's Papers Platinum Best of the Best award for Best Home Stager in the Hamptons ! ! ! You deserve it !

Nov 04, 2011 12:56 AM
Allegra Dioguardi
Styled and Sold Home Staging and Staging Training - Westhampton Beach, NY
Home Staging & Training, Suffolk Co. Long Island

Thank you Ed! Congratulations to you and the Westhampton Beach Farmers Market for winning Best of the Best as well! It really IS the best Farmers Market around. The whole town of Westhampton Beach did very well in the awards and I'm not surprised, it's a great place to live!

Nov 04, 2011 09:59 AM
Joshua Zargari
MJ Decorators Workshop LI staging and home decorating - Lynbrook, NY
MJ Decorators Workshop

Looks great.

Mar 30, 2012 08:16 AM
Allegra Dioguardi
Styled and Sold Home Staging and Staging Training - Westhampton Beach, NY
Home Staging & Training, Suffolk Co. Long Island

Thank you Joshua~

Mar 30, 2012 09:26 AM