I remember the first real piece of art I bought for myself.
I’m a firm believer in buying art from artists and making a collection. There’s this idea of an art collector as some Upper East Side billionaire who buys and flips art while puffing cigar smoke into the faces of us lowly mortals. And sure, that caricature exists. But you don’t have to be Chuck Bass in order to have an art collection. Having and displaying art is for anyone who wants to.
No matter who you are, you deserve to surround yourself with beautiful, meaningful things. Full stop. And before you insist that I’m being unrealistic, let’s step back and reconsider what that means. Is an original Van Gogh beautiful and meaningful? Of course! Do I recommend that, if possible, you find a way to see one in person at some point? Definitely! Is an exhibition poster the same as an original? Well, no. But is it still beautiful? Sure! And is it meaningful? It sure can be!
Pieces from local artists and artisans are also a great way to put beautiful, meaningful, and community-oriented art into your home. So without further ado, let’s talk about how to display artworks!
How to Hang Prints
Well, now I’m getting into a deeper conversation about what art is, and while I could easily write a 1,000 word blog post on that topic, today I just want to talk about what to do with your art once you’ve found the ultimate piece. Our post today is all about how to hang prints like the ones you can find in our shop!
To Frame or Not to Frame?
So, it finally happened—you locked eyes with that perfect print, whether in a gallery, online, or in a thrift store, and now you need a frame for it! Or do you?
Well, first you need to consider the size of the print (or prints). If you thrifted your art, you may want a different frame, or maybe you hit the thrifting jackpot and it came with a beautiful frame, matting, and it fits your style. However, for most of us, half the fun is deciding on a frame that doesn’t just act as a “place” for your art to live, but it complements the piece, too.
Frames aren’t always necessary. In fact, you can “frame” your art using other more budget-friendly, DIY methods, and you know how much we love a good DIY!
Framing Large Art Pieces
Large-scale wall art is on trend, and it’s not hard to see why! A poster-size print above the bed or fireplace mantle anchors the room. In fact, if you’re trying to design the rest of your space, start with a large print! You can gather inspiration from a dynamic piece of art hanging on the wall.
We tend to think that large art needs a frame. Luckily, you don’t have to splurge on a really expensive frame to match the size of your print. We like using the large RIBBA frame from IKEA, with or without the matting. You might even like removing the plastic to prevent a glare, but if the lighting of your room doesn’t affect the glare too much, leave the plastic on to protect the print.
If you looking to print some large art for a crazy price, we recommend engineer prints from Staples. They’re typically no more than $10 (yep, that cheap).
Other Framing Ideas
Need a beautiful frame, but don’t want to spend too much money? Try replacing the cheap art you find at Target or Home Goods with your own prints. They already come with a nice frame (most of the time) and a mat.
Are you trying to put together a gallery wall? Though it may seem like some of the best-looking gallery walls were simply “thrown together,” it actually takes a bit of extra time to create a balanced look. Use a mixture of sizes, and don’t feel limited to hanging prints. Try hanging other art pieces or sentimental items on the wall to add texture, such as fiber art or a small shelf for displaying treasures.
How to Hang Prints Without a Nail
One of the best and most cost-effective methods to hang your prints is using Washi tape! We like this method for a more casual look, like on the moodboard above your desk or in your child’s room.
Is your art collection bursting at the seams? Try a floating shelf on the wall to lean your art against! Maybe you have a bare mantle in your front room begging for something else to sit on it besides your WiFi router…instead of getting out your hammer, nails, stud finder, and level, just lean the thing! Nothing could be easier.
Feeling inspired? Don’t forget to check our print shop for some beautiful and affordable art!
Comments