Adding new art to your home is always so exciting, but it can sometimes be hard to figure out the best place to put it, how you want to display it and what size you need to best fit your space! Below are some simple guidelines to keep in mind when thinking about new art for your home. Once you’re fully inspired, be sure to check out the original KMP prints I am currently offering in the shop available on paper, canvas and metal!
Guidelines for Hanging Beautiful Art in Your Home:
- Think About Where You Want to Hang it! What room are you planning on putting your image in? Depending on the type of room (bedroom, living room, kitchen, office, etc.), this might dictate the style of photo you’d like to purchase. Personally, I like to print photos that I can frame and switch out depending on the season or choose a single image that I think fits with most every season and have it put on a more substantial canvas or metal print to enjoy throughout the year. It all depends on how much you typically like to redecorate! 😉 Here’s what I think about before choosing a print:
- What is the room used for? Eating? Socializing? Sleeping? What kinds of emotions do you attach to that room through that activity? Choose a photo that works with that emotion. Perhaps your bedroom is very simple and serene- choose a photo that exhibits those same feelings.
- Is that room in your home a space you frequently change your decor around the holidays or seasonally? Try to choose a print that you love no matter the season or decor around it.
- Look at the colors in the image- do they match the color scheme and style of the room? You don’t want those colors to clash!
2. Are you Envisioning a Collage Wall or an Individual Photo? Maybe you’d prefer to incorporate several different photos or to choose prints that can easily be changed in and out of existing frames to match your changing decor and color scheme! I love doing this- it’s the perfect way to change up the feel of a room. A good collage wall is an awesome way to really personalize your space and incorporate all kinds of different types of sentimental items. It can, however, become overwhelming or distracting if it becomes too cluttered, so you want to be sure and choose a variety of sizes that work well together, but try to keep under control 🙂
3. Determine the Size.
This is the trickiest part of the whole process to me! Everyone’s decor style is very different, but I am going to share with you how I like to decide on print sizes for our home. After deciding if I want to create a collage wall or to have one large image, I measure the space. The “space”, to me, is the area above a piece of furniture or feature in your home (like the fireplace) where you want that photo (or collage wall) to be displayed. It can also simple be a large blank statement wall in your home! The size of your print(s) is then dictated by whatever those measurements are. Typically, it’s good to choose a size that is slightly smaller than the total space and doesn’t overpower that piece of furniture below it. Even more importantly, you don’t want to photo(s) to be too small and look awkward. I like to measure the wall, then measure the furniture or home feature that will be below it and then choose a size the is slightly less than both of those measurements. When I am going to be crafting a collage wall, I always measure the space and choose a few different frame sizes (5X7, 8X10, 11X14) with the largest frame being the center anchor and lay this all out on the floor within that measure size to be sure I like the way it looks before putting holes in the wall. It’s not a science, but this works for me! A helpful equation I have heard many people use is to measure the height and width of that space and then divide it in half to determine an appropriate size. Below is an example of the same exact space featuring a photo that is significantly too small and then a size that fits more practically in the space.
4. Decide the Style of Print – Metal, Canvas or Paper with a Frame!
Lastly, choosing the style of print that works best for you! If you’re leaning towards a collage wall I would recommend your typical paper printed image with frames. They’re easy to switch out and affordable! If you’re looking for more of an individual statement piece, I would recommend either canvas or metal prints. Both of these options are a great way to really make your image stand out and give it some extra character. Canvas prints are coated for UV Protection, are slightly textured due to the canvas and will give you less harsh colors. They also allow the image to wrap all away around the edges which I think give the image a really cool effect. Metal prints are also coated for UV Protection, are incredibly thin and light and exaggerate the brightest and darkest colors of the image. The only thing to really consider about metal is the amount of reflected light in your space! This surface is VERY reflective, so if the photo will be facing a window or light source, it might not be your best option. Both of these will last for years to come and are really beautiful.
