If you’re anything like me you’ve struggled with that irking problem: too much art and too little wall space. Thank goodness there are several solutions for this unique issue other than buying a bigger house! Let’s explore 4 tips for those troubled souls who have more artwork than wall space.
1. Create a gallery wall
One of the best ways to display a large collection of work is to create a gallery wall. Gallery walls can be as cohesive or eclectic as you wish. Create cohesiveness in a gallery wall display by using similar frames or the same frames for every piece. The art can be hung in an orderly fashion or in a balanced, haphazardly way, but either will look great if you’re using a particular frame style throughout. Feeling a little more adventurous? Then try out the eclectic route by hanging your art collection in a myriad of frames with different colors, widths, mats (or no mats), media types (paper, canvas, etc) and mediums (oil or watercolor paints, collage, photography, etc). Both gallery wall styles are a great way to display a large art collection when wall space is at a premium.
2. Rotate your art by season or collection
Art rotation is a great way to keep things fresh in your interior design. Separate your art collection into seasons, artistic movements such as American Impressionism, design styles or even color schemes and swap them out on your walls quarterly, monthly or heck, even weekly! We don’t judge! Not only does rotating your art on your walls provide new inspiration for yourself and guests all year round, but it’s a great way to spend “quality time” appreciating every piece in your art collection that you have so carefully and lovingly selected. What’s that saying again? Oh yes: “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” Let that fondness flourish by adopting a painting rotation.
3. Display art in unexpected places
Another solution for the issue of over-abundant art and wall space in-demand is to find unexpected or unique places to hang items. Some ideas include leaning art among your books in bookcases, propping art up on bookshelves, leaning framed pieces on desks or dressers, and even hanging special artwork in walk-in closets. Who wouldn’t want daily inspiration in the place where you prepare for your day? Other commonly forgotten places to hang art are in kitchens, bathrooms, garages or even outdoors on your covered porch (although, for more longevity, make sure you select canvas art for the outdoors). Scour your house for blank walls and be amazed at all the art hangin’ spots you may have overlooked.
4. Give art to friends and family
This is likely not the most favorite solution for those who truly love collecting art, but it’s a good one, nonetheless. Anyone who is lucky enough to be on the receiving side of an art giver, should appreciate the love and passion that went into making that particular art selection. Art collectors each have their own unique styles and methods for building collections, none of which is ever taken lightly. But giving the gift of art is usually always a good idea – it’s like sharing inspiration, history, passion and love all in one package. Then, you can sleep soundly at night knowing that a) the art is still hanging even though it’s not in your home and b) that you’ll see it again when you visit! And of course, if you just can’t bare to part with any of the beauties in your collection, you always have the option to purchase an accurate art reproduction.
How do you handle your bountiful art collection? Do you rotate art, hang art in curious, new ways or places, or give art away? We’d love to hear your abundant art collection solutions!