Art

I think the most common mistake people make when decorating their home is their art placement.  There are several rules of thumb on how high to hang your art, and of course there are always exceptions to the rules, but for the most part, the following suggestions will help give you an idea about how to select and hang your Picasso. 

I think art is more than just a mere accessory for your walls, they are statement pieces/conversation starters, they compliment your color schemes, they bring a sense of culture in a frame/on a canvas, they show a flare of personality, and they pull a room together as a composition.  A room always feels empty without art, and art that is hung well is always a crowd pleaser, especially for the ladies.  Haha.

1.  Art should create a mood, inspire the viewer, or pull together a color scheme.  Art should tell a story or create a sense of interest on a wall.  The colors of your walls are a mere backdrop for the art that it displays, so always consider your wall colors when selecting art.  Never underestimate a bold piece of art and what it can evoke from a room.

2.  When it comes to hanging your art---it is almost an injustice to hang it at the wrong height.  You want the art to be enjoyed at the most optimal viewing level, and unless the placement of your art is the statement you want to make, you generally want to hang your art at eye level.  The general "eye level" height is around 62"-64" from the floor to the center of the art.  You never want your viewer to have to look up to enjoy your art---unless you are a masseuse/chiropractor and want to give your guests a stiff neck looking at your art so that you can give them your business card to come see you to fix their neck...then that would just be good marketing, and like I said, there is always an exception to the rule. 

 
3.  When selecting art for a room, always keep your wall proportions and ceiling heights in mind.  If you have low ceilings---do not select tall pieces of art, but rather hang a series of small pieces of art in a row with bold frames.  The exception to this rule could make a dramatic statement by placing a tall framed piece of art or a tall framed mirror on the floor and leaning in on the wall which will create the opposite affect by accentuating the low ceilings and creates a more intimate feel to the space. 

4.  The best hooks to use when hanging art:  OOK Classic Pro Hangers.  These can be purchased from Target, Home Depot, on-line, or your local hardware store.  Use this link below to locate your closest retailer:  http://www.ooks.com/t-AboutUsRetail.aspx

5.  Art should reflect your personal style and even the simplest piece of art can be striking if it is framed in an interesting frame or placed behind a matte that compliments the color composition.  Art is always one of the biggest statements in a room, and is usually the first thing someone sees when they walk into a room (especially if it is hung at the perfect height), so always consider the following when selecting your art:  select art that reflects the statement you want to make, color and composition can dictate the mood of the room, hang it at the right height, and always consider the scale of your walls and ceilings.