A Picture Framers Guide To Choosing Wall Art For Your Home

A picture framers guide to choosing wall art for your home

One of the things we know about here at Frames is wall art and how to hang it – after all, we are the leading supplier of ready made picture frames uk. So, of course, we often get asked for our advice on all things picture related.  

Wall art is a popular subject for people to ask us about, after all it is the icing on the cake when it comes to your home. It not only makes your home look more inviting, but also helps to pull the space together and draw the eye. 

Therefore, the search for art to place on your wall shouldn’t be undertaken lightly, as it is something that genuinely can improve your home. There are no set rules, as such, for what you should put on your walls but we do have some advice for you to help you to ensure you get the perfect pieces for your space. So, read on.

The Best Tip for Choosing Wall Art

When people are looking to order frames online they are usually in the process of purchasing something to put in those frames – and the number one tip we can give you when it comes to choosing what to frame is: buy what you like.

It really is as simple as that. If you see something and you like it, and it makes you feel relaxed and happy then buy it, frame it and put it on your wall. It is your home and you have to live with it day in and day out so you are the only person whose opinion matters.

If you want more guidance than that, we have pulled together some of our top tips to keep in mind:

Selecting Art by Size

When it comes to choosing what goes on your wall, one way that some people like to do it is to search for wall art in a particular size to fit the space they have. When you are looking to decorate a room, it can be easier to start with a large piece of art and work your way down, as the more pieces you buy the more your style will come together and your home will be decorated with pieces that you love. 

There are some basics to keep in mind when it comes to art sizes, whether you are displaying them together as part of a gallery or alone for impact, and these are:

• Mini. These are pictures which are no more than 44cms in size – usually the size of a piece of paper or smaller. Usually work best grouped together in groups of three or more.

• Small. Usually between 45 and 59cms, these pieces look good when hung in pairs or groups of three or more. Can work well on short walls or above pieces of furniture

• Medium. Wall art that fits into this category is usually between 60 to 70cms long and can stand alone, but also work well grouped with one another. It is usually a good idea to keep your hanging scheme symmetrical when you are hanging medium sized pieces.

• Large. These pieces of art are usually between 80 and 100cms. You can hang them on their own or balance them out with two or more smaller pieces hung either side. 

• Oversized. This term applies to art which is over 100cms long and these pieces will act as a real focal point to the room. You should always measure carefully before you buy an oversized piece though, to ensure it will actually fit!

Before you start searching for wall art, therefore, you should have an idea in mind of what size you are looking for. After all, oversized art probably won’t work in a bathroom, whereas mini art will get lost in your living room. 

Some general sizing rules that interior designers like to use are:

• Don’t hang pictures which are more than two-thirds longer than your sofa

• Hang your pictures at least 15cms above your furniture

• Consider the height of your ceiling when choosing your art, to make sure it fills both the space and the width

Selecting Wall Art by Style

If selecting your wall art by size doesn’t appeal to you, then you could think about selecting it by style – as this may be a more natural way of selecting to you. There are lots of different art styles to choose from, from antique pieces, to bold prints and even bright modern pieces. If you are not sure what style appeals to you, perhaps think about it from a fashion point of view – are you more of a preppy Ralph Lauren type or a casual Levis type?

You can then make your choice based on what you like, while keeping size and colour scheme in mind. If you still don’t know where to start then think about 

• Choosing pieces which match the style of your existing room, and the furniture pieces you already have

• Invest in one oversized piece that you love and make that the focal point

• Purchase at least three mini or small pieces and hang them together

• Use picture frames to emphasize your style – whether they are mismatched or all matching

• Mix materials such as wood and metal to highlight the art

Selecting Wall Art by Colour

You may not know this, but in the world of colour there is a vast difference between the colour palettes we use for wall art and the colour palettes used in interior design. With art there is more opportunity for artists to use bold colour schemes which you may shy away from using all over your walls. 

There are two main ways used to select wall art by colour:

Firstly, you could select art that fits in with the existing colour scheme in your room – this can give a cohesive and sophisticated look. The basics of this style include:

• Having the most prominent piece in the same background colour as your wall

• Choose complementary colours for your other pieces of art, using the colour wheel

• Use the same colours throughout your pieces but in different shades such as navy blue and pale blue

• If you are in doubt about colour, stick to black and white

• Make use of mirrors to reflect your art – they can also make your room appear larger

The other approach to take is to choose art which is in colours that are bolder than your existing room scheme as a way of showcasing your personality. 

• Bright pieces will stand out more against neutral backgrounds

• Try tying your look together by using pieces that are the same line style or subject rather than just colour

• Play with colour and texture in both your art and the rest of your room decoration, such as furniture and accessories. 

• Make use of different coloured photo frames to emphasize your favourite pieces – frames come in many different colours and not just white, black, silver and gold

You deserve a home that is filled with pieces you love. Here at Frames we can offer you custom size frames cheap to ensure your pieces are displayed in the best possible way.