Whether you’re in the midst of having a Flower Mound custom home built, it’s already completed, or you’re just in the beginning stages, you may already have your mind on decorating and design for the interior. Many homeowners use paintings, sketches, charcoal drawings, and even photos to transform their spaces into a comfortable, relaxing home. How do you feature your artwork properly, so that you have uniformity and can create focal points that attract attention and add beauty to your home? We have a few tips.
It’s more than just putting a nail in the wall!
Proper hanging will ensure your artwork hangs in a way that is level and secure, so that you don’t have to worry about a prized painting falling and crashing to the floor. Some of the tools necessary for hanging include a hammer, level, picture hooks, wall anchors, D-rings, and a stud finder.
If the picture or painting allows for the installation of D-rings, this is a better choice than wire, which allows the picture to swing.
If the artwork is fairly heavy, be sure to hang it on a stud for support – this is where your stud finder will come in handy. Picture hooks are ideal for hanging art, as they distribute weight and are designed for the purpose of hanging art. An added benefit is that you won’t have huge holes in the walls caused by screws or nails.
Of course you want to make sure that the artwork will be level before putting a hole in the wall. For an entire arrangement consisting of several pieces, a laser level is ideal.
Arrangement and design ideas
Most homeowners hang large pieces over a fireplace mantle, sofa, or other large space. Keep in mind that while you want your artwork to stand out, you don’t want it to overwhelm whatever it is hanging over. For instance, over the sofa a painting or picture that is about 3/4 the size of the sofa is ideal. How high should you hang your art? When someone enters the room, their eyes should be level with the center of the picture.
When creating a grouping, arrange all of the items to be included on the floor or a large table first. This way you can move each piece around to get each exactly where you want it, so that you’ll know the layout before you start hanging. Also keep in mind that whether you mix large, medium, and small items or items that are all the same size, the finished look should result in a square or rectangle. Avoid large gaps between pictures and other decor, leaving only two to three inches between each piece. For added visual appeal, be sure your grouping is uniform – in other words, pictures/photos should be all black and white, or with color and relevant to each other, such as landscapes, various sketches of wildlife, etc.
Be creative, and think of spaces other than the usual where you can hang your artwork. Above all, make sure the pieces you choose reflect your sense of style and personality so that you’re happy with the choices you make. It is your home!
At Bud Bartley Family of Builders, our custom home builders bring more than 30 years of experience, skill, and dedication to those who desire the better things in life. Whether you’re building in Flower Mound, Highland Village, or any prestigious community, trust our family of builders for unparalleled results!