A Foolproof Guide to Hanging Art in Your Apartment

Image via Complex Original

This doesn't mean that every side of your apartment has to look like a mirror image, but if you do decide to align art pieces in a straight path, pull out that tape measure, and make sure everything sits perfectly. Any small disruptions in symmetry will look like major mistakes on the wall.

If you opt for an asymmetrical arrangement, make sure you do it with purpose. The same care you use to hang artwork symmetrically should be applied to placing pieces that are staggered.

Placement is key. Large conversation pieces should be the focal point when decorating an apartment. The rest of your interior design will develop out of these foundations. Try hanging these larger pieces above your couch or bed.

Just because you can't afford professional framing doesn't mean you have to resort to masking tape. Get creative with how you frame and hang your pieces. Bull clips, clothes hangers, and clothespins with string are all cheap and aesthetically pleasing frame alternatives. 

Just because a painting fits perfectly above your stove doesn't mean that it's a great idea to hang it there. Take precaution when hanging art in your kitchen and or bathroom. Water and heat quickly destroy anything made from paper. 

A tape measure and a level are your best friends when hanging works of art. Measure the distance of your piece from both sides of its edges to the adjacent walls using the tape measure to make sure it's even. Then use the level to adjust how straight your picture is hanging.

When hanging multiple pieces of art next to each other, it is always best to place the smaller pieces on top and the bigger pieces on the bottom to achieve a level of balance. Also, the pictures should stand a few inches apart so they don't feel like they're squeezed into your tiny apartment.

Keep in mind the weight of your piece when hanging a work. Picture hooks are perfect for smaller, lighter artwork. Plastic anchors are best for medium-sized art, and toggle bolts and mirror hangers can support heavier pieces. Don't destroy your walls by hanging heavy pieces of art on thumbtacks.

While frame alternatives are good for moderately priced works of art, if you have anything expensive in you're apartment, shell out the extra dough for a real frame. Anything professionally framed will look much more sophisticated, and it's an investment for protecting your work in the future.

Not everything in your apartment needs to match or even have the same color scheme, but you should be aware of how separate pieces interact with each other and how your visual art works compliment your other interior decor. Consider the colors of your walls, shapes of your furniture, and textures of your rugs and curtains before going on an art shopping spree.

Even if you have tall ceilings, there's no need to hang your art way up in the rafters. At the same time, placing pieces too low will give the illusion of shrinking your space, and in an apartment, you need all the space you can get. Hanging just above eye level should be the sweet spot.