Do you love visiting galleries and art museums on your travels? Are you always on the hunt for interesting works from local artists whenever you’re in a new destination? It’s likely that you’re an avid art collector whose travels are inspired by your hobby, and getting meaningful pieces or crafts is a must whenever you’re on the go. Collecting art while traveling is a great way to connect emotionally with a place, and it’s why a growing number of travelers are thinking about going on art trips to have more enriching experiences. In fact, the art tourism market is projected to reach $54.44 billion by 2030 as more people are planning to go on museum tours, visit art fairs and galleries, and participate in global art-focused events within the next four years.
Each piece that you bring home instantly becomes a part of you as every painting, handicraft, or miniature sculpture will give people insights on your personal taste, the places you’ve been to, and the adventures that you’ve had all over the world. That’s why creating a proper art display is a must since it can revive precious memories, tell stories about your trips, and give your spaces a warm and inviting feel. If you need a few pointers to decorate your blank walls or empty shelves, here’s how to frame and display your global art collection.
Organize Artworks for a Cohesive Look
Most traveling art collectors are eager to fill their homes with all the works that they’ve amassed over the years. It’s natural to want to see everything that you’ve got so far, but hanging art pieces on random walls or filling every empty shelf with handicrafts can make your interiors look messy and chaotic. To create a classy and cohesive look, organize your collection by color or destination. For instance, you can group all art works from Europe and display them in one wall, then put together every piece that you found in Asia and have them in another area. You can also do it by art style so all contemporary works are displayed together in the living room, while all the pop art paintings are in the dining room or kitchen.
Choose a Frame Style for Each Theme
To instantly achieve cohesiveness, think about choosing one frame style to use across all pieces in each theme. You can use frames made of a warm-colored wood like cherry, oak, or walnut for traditional, classic, or folk art works, then use slim black metal frames for contemporary art or black and white photos. For modern or digital art, think about using acrylic or plexiglass frames for a clean and minimalist look. Meanwhile, statement or special pieces can be displayed in customized frames to make them stand out in your gallery wall.
When picking frames for your art collection, see to it that the colors match the frame. Metal frames like silver, gold, or rose gold will make graphic pieces pop, while paintings or prints with rich, vivid colors will look great with warm brown wooden frames. You may also want to use frames with acrylic, UV-protected, or low-glare glass. This will help to protect your art collection, especially valuable pieces, from fading and glare.
To display the frames, find your defining or anchoring piece, then hang it in such a way that it’s slightly off center on the wall. Maintain 2 to 6 inches of space between the frames, and hang other artworks in a structured grid or a flowing, organic shape around your main piece. You may also want to place a few framed art pieces on your shelves or mantle, then add related handicrafts, objects, or small sculptures as accents.
Know Where to Place Your Gallery Wall
You can have your gallery wall almost anywhere in your home, but placement is key to create a good flow for viewers as they get a glimpse of your travels through your global art collection. For example, you can have a gallery wall of your best pieces in the living room, placed right above the couch. If you want to have one in your dining room, place the gallery wall above the buffet table to create an instant conversation piece. You may also want to have one in your hallway or stairwell, and these are excellent places for vintage or nature-themed works. To showcase funny or playful art pieces, think about creating a gallery wall in the bathroom or kitchen to add personality to these spaces.
Take family and friends on an epic art journey through your global art collection. Consider these tips to create beautiful and cohesive-looking gallery walls to optimize your display, and let your loved ones know more about your adventures.
