The Art of Wall Hangings: Art, Family Portraits, and More

living room with wall artNo matter which room you’re decorating, the final step with any interior design is adorning your walls with art, family pictures, mirrors, and more. Yet doing so requires a delicate balance to achieve the style you’re hoping for. Leave walls too bare, and the room looks incomplete. But crowd a wall with too many hangings, and the space feels messy and chaotic. But with these tips from W.B. Homes, you can master home wall décor and create the space you’ve always dreamed of.

Survey the Room

Selecting wall art can’t be done without proper thought, as you’ll want to hang pieces that will perfectly complement your existing theme, colors, and lifestyle. Before grabbing your nails and hammer, the best place to start is surveying the room you’re decorating. You’ll want to note the size of your walls, the layout of your furniture, the room’s purpose, and your style preferences. That way, you can ensure you’re picking home wall décor that will blend seamlessly into your space and strike a sense of balance.

Variety Is Key

Next, you’ll need to determine the right mix of home wall décor items for your space. Some of the wall hangings you can consider for visual interest and practicality include:

  • Family photos
  • Paintings, prints, and other artwork
  • Maps
  • Sconces
  • Mirrors
  • Plates
  • Shelving
  • Clocks
  • Tapestries
  • Plants
  • Calendars
  • Whiteboards or chalkboards

Let your preferences guide your choices – what will you use, and what do you find beautiful? By considering style and function, you can strike the right balance in each area of the home.

Consider Visual Weight

Once you’ve selected your items, it’s time to envision how they will be arranged on your walls. Scaling the room properly is vital in this step, as the positioning of your items can affect the outcome of your design. It all comes down to a concept known as visual weight, which refers to how large, bulky, or heavy an object appears when hung on a wall. To achieve an ideal visual weight throughout the room, two common approaches may be utilized, which include:

  • Symmetry: Hanging identical-size wall décor items in the same pattern or layout on each wall or on the same wall around an existing piece of furniture (i.e., a square grid of framed photos)
  • Asymmetry: Utilizing different pieces with similar measurements to balance a wall (i.e., a painting on one side and a combination of shelving, a mirror, and a plant on the other side)

What to Avoid

While it’s tempting to hang all of your favorite pieces on your walls, there are some things you should avoid when it comes to home wall décor. For one, since a cohesive design is the goal, be sure that your selected wall hangings don’t clash with your existing furniture and décor items. It’s also wise to limit how many pieces of wall art feature written quotes or large lettering, as these tend to be statement pieces and can quickly overwhelm a room.

Another common mistake home decorators make is not leaving enough blank space on the walls. This may seem counterintuitive, but it’s an essential aspect of achieving the right balance. Blank wall space breaks up wall décor, makes your room seem larger, and gives your eyes a chance to rest – especially when there are so many beautiful pieces to look at.

Learn More Today

These are just a few helpful tips that can make hanging wall art a much less daunting task. For more pointers or inspiration, or to inquire about finding your perfect home in Philadelphia, Bucks County, and Montgomery County, contact W.B. Homes today.

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