Artwork 101: Size & Scale
Afraid to hang your art in the wrong spot? Or maybe you are feeling like your art is too small?
As an Interior Designer, I get the privilege to help select and place artwork. I’m here to give you some guidelines on how to hang your artwork with confidence— using the proper scale and with correct placement.
Gallery Style
Gallery style art can give you height and dimension in a larger space or an awkward area (like a staircase or angled walls). You can utilize different sizes of artwork, creating harmony with a “theme” in the mediums or a tonal look. Have a larger piece in the center creates a place for your eyes to start and then they proceed around the remaining pieces.
Give your artwork substance by having it inhibit 2/3rds of the space. In the above photo, the space directly above the bed it our blank slate and placing the artwork in the majority (2/3rds) of the space allows for it to not feel shrunken and out of place. Like it belongs.
There is flexibility with the gallery style. You can use a variety of spacing between pieces. For a more eclectic look, vary the spaces slightly. For a more tradition look, keep the spaces even. Try to sketch out a few scenarios with the frames you have. Making a template can also help!
set of 2 or 3
A 2 or 3 piece art set gives a symmetrical and balanced look. With a set of three, having the middle piece centered it key, then spacing them evenly from the center, 2-4” depending on size of ceilings and bed. For example:
A Queen Bed is 60” Wide — 3 Set Artwork is 15” each (11” with 2” frame (+4”)). 15x3 = 45”
60”-45” = 15”. Leave 5” on each side of outer edges (10” total). 15-10 = 5”
5” is what you have let to split between the frames. So 2.5” between each one.
2. Again, your art should be taking up around 2/3rds of the designated space.
3. Depending on the height of your ceilings, place around 8-12'“ from the bed frame or furniture piece. If you have a soffit or a low ceiling, maybe consider closer to 6” above.
Large Scale
If all else fails….go big. It’s hard to get a piece of art too big. It’s usually a common answer to most of the art issues you might be having. Create more interest with a large mat and frame.
With a larger piece of art you might want to give it its proper showcase with a picture light. (See some for purchase below!)
Spacing is made easy with a larger piece, center it above your grounding furniture with 3-6” on the sides and creating 6-12” of space from the base.
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