Wall art is an essential part of interior decorating, giving you an opportunity to showcase your style and make your house feel like a home. While there’s a lot of room for creativity when it comes to displaying art, there are a few mistakes that you want to steer clear of. Keep reading for 6 mistakes to avoid when hanging artwork.

1. Hanging Art Too High

Have you ever hung a piece, only to realize that you have to strain your neck to look at it? For some reason, hanging artwork too high is an extremely common mistake that almost everyone has made at some point. However, in addition to being uncomfortable to actually look at, artwork that is hung above eye level can make the walls feel as though they’re looming over you.

2. Everything Matches

There’s nothing wrong with having a color palette; in fact, if you’re less than confident in your decorating skills, a color palette can help you ensure that the room has a good flow. When it comes to your artwork though, especially original work, don’t be afraid to bring in fresh hues. You may still want to make sure that the artwork reflects the style of the room (abstract modern art in a room with country chic décor, for example, probably won’t yield the desired results), but beyond that, you have a lot of flexibility.

3. Not Hanging Artwork Properly

Are you hanging artwork on a solitary nail? If so, you know that every time someone slams a door, it’s immediately knocked askew. Avoid the need to break out the level every other day by ensuring that you have the correct hanging tools and hardware for your art pieces.

4. Only Hanging It on Walls

Sure, it may technically be wall art, but think outside the box. Lean a couple of pieces of art on top of your mantle, on your window sills, bookshelves, dressers, or even stair landings. Leaning rather than hanging your art is a great way to create dimension and interest while giving the room a casual, relaxed feel. As an added benefit, it’s easy to change your artwork around without having to worry about unsightly nail holes.

5. Making Wall Art An Island Unto Itself

You take pride in the artwork you’ve collected, so you want to make sure that nothing is obstructing it from view. However, to give your room a cohesive feel, consider layering other decorating elements around the artwork. Let a few leaves from your plant hang in front of your framed art, and don’t be afraid to have a lamp overlap a painting. Creating a layered look creates a warmer, more sophisticated space.

6. Disregarding Scale

A single small framed picture will look ridiculous on a huge white wall, and a large piece of artwork in a small space can make you feel claustrophobic. When deciding where and how to display your artwork, consider the scale of the space, and make sure that the wall art you select is the appropriate size.

Want to add a new piece to your collection? At Soundwave Art™, we make it easy to create a unique, custom piece that will be cherished for a lifetime. Check out our online shop to choose the style that’s right for you, or check out our sound ideas.