Top tips for decorating your new home

When decorating your new home choosing pictures and art for your walls need not be a daunting experience. Pauline Armstrong-Sebbes of ‘Kanvas Interior Art’ shares her top five tips for making those important design decisions.

1. What size piece should you choose?

There are a couple things to consider when choosing the size of a picture for a particular space. If the art is being hung directly above a piece of furniture, try to not have the artwork any longer than 75 - 80% of the size of the piece it is above. Choose your art with the size of the room in consideration and choose larger pieces, or a combination of pieces, for large walls and smaller pieces for narrow spaces.

2. Thinking about Colour…

​First rule of thumb here – don’t be frightened. Art can be chosen to blend into an existing room colour, to start a whole new colour dimension in the room, or to act as a complete contrast to what is already in the room. Even if you find a piece you love that doesn’t match anywhere in your home, a few minor changes in accessories such as cushions, vases etc can create a whole new look to match your new love! Any of these options are perfectly acceptable. Colour in artwork can completely change the connotation of a space, so experiment!

3. Try grouping pieces together

​Pictures grouped in a coordinated fashion can make a very striking feature. The best way to try out a grouping project is to experiment. Place the pieces together on a table or plain coloured board until you create an effect that works. Variations in shape, colour or size can give an interesting and eclectic look. Generally your grouped pieces should appear as one. The trick is to try and maintain symmetry.

4. At what height should you hang your pieces?

​There are several schools of thought on what height art should be hung at. Some believe pictures should be at eye level for an average person, whilst others say to start approximately 1.5 metres from the floor, and then modified to fit ceiling height and the function of the room. Either options works, though varying the height based on what else is happening in the room makes sense.

5. For a more interesting effect, add some lighting

​Lighting above artwork can add variety and interest to your overall decorating outcome. Lights don’t need to go above every piece of art, but can be strategically placed sideward, downward or upward to highlight the piece you wish to showcase.