Top 5 Things You Can Do to Display Your Art Collection Most Effectively

1.  Always seek out Certified Professional Framers - The Professional Picture Framers of America offers a rigorous certification course designed to assure the public that their framer is an expert in the archival preservation of their treasured works of art.  Successful graduates of this program earn a Certified Professional Framer (CPF) certificate.  (Gallery One’s custom framing department has been supervised by a CPF since 1986...and two additional staff members hold this prized designation.)  Be sure to seek out CPF framers in your community for assurance that your fine art is properly conserved and displayed.
Click here to view Gallery One's framing process.


2.  Arranging your art collection 

Hanging artwork in groupings can create an exciting look for any room. The simplest grouping is a pair: two pieces of art, framed identically. They can be placed side by side or one over the other, in an even or uneven manner.

Another simple grouping might be three or more pieces of art of varying sizes. Each piece must be framed in the style and color that works best for that individual item. It will look best if one work of art is quite large, while the companion pieces are of smaller sizes. For more information, check out our guidelines.


3.  Fill small or narrow wall spaces - Remember narrow spaces, especially around entrances or over doorways.  Some artists specialize in long narrow pieces.

Autumn Trail by Rod Frederick

You might want to check out the works of Rod Frederick, Cassandra Barney, Michael and Inessa Garmash, Stephen Lyman, Steve Hanks, Terry Isaac, Tim Rogerson and John Seerey-Lester and Disney artists, James Coleman, Katie Kelly and John Rowe.


4.  Don't insist on matching frames to your furniture or your other frames.  Matching your frames to existing furniture could prove to be a problem in the future when you replace the furniture.  A well-designed frame should complement the artwork.  In that way, your decor can change a number of times and the art will always look as perfect as it did originally. 

Likewise, choosing frames based on the other frames in the room works well with groupings of family snapshots, but not necessarily with your fine art prints and giclées.  Their subject matter, color and texture will vary and the framing should reflect it. 

5.  Rotate your artwork occasionally to keep your decor looking fresh.  You can do this in a number of ways.  Switch art from room to room for a whole new look.  The seascape over your bed might look lovely over the couch or fireplace.  Or the floral in the living room might cheer up the guest room. 

Display some pieces in the summer and others in the winter.  This is particularly true for seasonal pieces around holidays; or when the subject of the art is clearly a summer scene or an autumn landscape.

Hang a few small pieces together that you hadn't grouped before.  A grouping of two or three small framed items can include a small personal item to round out the look.

Your art is meant to bring you a lifetime of pleasure.  Preserving it carefully with professional framing and displaying it to it's best advantage will ensure that.   Enjoy collecting and displaying your own art collection!