“Wall art is the starting point of designing interior space; it is highly personal”. These are the wise words of Ed Godrich, co-founder of London-based Godrich Interiors. Indeed, creating an area in your home or office is a highly personal endeavour and while it’s great to get inspiration from interior design sites and magazines, a danger exists of your place ending up being a cold, hard copy of someone else’s dream. A certain way to insert your own sense of the individual, though, is through photography. With that in mind, here are 5 IDEAL tips for showcasing photo art in your arm.
FINE TUNING YOUR FOCAL POINT
A focal point is often the most important and under-appreciated part of the interior design, or so say the British Academy of Interior Design. And while it may sound a little generic – obvious even – the sentiment makes sense; the focal point is normally what you notice first when you enter a space. And first impressions count.
So, make sure your chosen photos truly demand the attention of those entering the room. It could be something as dramatic as a personal portrait or scenery from a recent stint of travelling. Choose something with a story behind it; a piece as conversation starter which you’d be happy elaborating on.
ESTABLISH MOOD
In interior design, a good way to establish the mood of space is through the use of colour and imagery. If you want to add personality and life, going with a gallery of photos is always a good idea. This looks like real thought has gone into the space; always a good look. A huge empty wall is often the best space for a gallery, according to CanvasPop. So if you happen to have a grand empty wall, then that’s practically begging to have photos hung on it. Of course, it is how you hang the gallery that can make it or break it.
DON’T LET THERE BE LIGHT
If you want to maximise the effect of your photos, it’s good to make use of lighting. Or not to make use of it, as it were. Because while natural light is best for illuminating a space, it has the opposite effect on photos. So, keep your photos out of natural light to protect them from fading.
Ceiling-mounted accent lights are a good option to emphasize a photo and draw the eye’s gaze towards it; you can even use the photos to create a sort of grid along the walls to lead guests toward a different area.
GIVE CLICHE A SWERVE
Should you be a little too self-conscious to display family portraits and huge close-ups of your lovely face, then displaying photos taken by a professional of something abstract or iconic is a good way to go. We’d caution heavily against cliched images found in every coffee shop and student dorm room, though. So, that’s no Lunch atop a skyscraper, then.
GET CREATIVE WITH FRAMING
You’ve put all of this thought into the subject matter of the photo and its positioning, but don’t neglect the frame; a key component of any photographic display in the home or office. A unique, creative turn in how you hang a piece can add real value far beyond the functional. The guys at freshome have some top notch tips here on having fun with your hanging.