The most important part of choosing photographic artwork is deciding what sort of impression you want to make. You should always choose images you like and not what “Mavis across the road” considers to be good taste. Why would you take the advice of someone who says something like “Well I’m sure it will look good in your house, but I’d never hang it in my own”? Have the courage to be guided by your own taste. Other people not liking it does not make a piece of artwork bad. Art is very personal, and you should never set out to please others outside your own family.
So, do you want to be fashionable and arty, or do you want to display family photos, nostalgia, and personal interests? If you wish you can include all of the above, but you may make a better job of it if you have designated areas for each. For example, you may want to make a statement with an single impressive abstract piece in your living room, while in the hall or dining room you could display more personal items. There are no rules as such, but try to harmonize your displays so that they do not compete for the viewer’s attention. If you can, try to rationalize where and why you hang each item. Ultimately, you will get more out of each piece and your guests will sense yours to be an organized and methodical household.
Keep your choice of art in proportion to where you will hang it. If a picture is too large, it will look cramped and suffocated; if it is too small, it will look lost and insignificant. Many people think that if there is room for a picture to squeeze in between the mantelpiece and the ceiling it will work there. Not so, you must allow the space around the picture to become part of the framing too. All surrounding space must be balanced and equal. If you have short or narrow rooms, you can make them look longer by displaying long panoramic pieces that carry the eye along the wall. This works especially well along the length of a dining table or across the back of a settee. Alternatively, you can use three to six smaller square pieces hanging in a balanced, evenly spaced line.
Finally, beware of fads. Eccentric art may look great when you first see it, but how quickly might it become outdated? If you are fashion conscious, you must either be prepared to spend your money chasing the “latest thing” or preferably choose more carefully, selecting items that won’t date so fast. For example, abstracts are a chic choice, but choose a first-class one that is unique and timeless.
For more photographic art, visit the Gifts by Genius store at Society6.