We do this a lot in our own home, partly because we like the casual style of leaning artwork and partly because we switch things around so much that we try to avoid putting holes in the walls when we can. If you have bookshelves that need a boost or a credenza that needs some added height, leaning artwork up against a wall works well. Click below for a few ideas...










That's a groovy credenza...
view bepsf's profile
i am a big art work leaner... people always talk about moving things around.. but because we are always moving our stuff and taking a look at both our work as well as frieds it is perfect.. plus.. i am trying to develop a relationship with our walls.. and so far they are happy!
view dailydesignspot's profile
What do you use to keep them propped up? I never seem to have anything heavy enough to keep them from sliding right off the surface of whatever they're on. Maybe some rocks?
view spaceagemouse's profile
I do this a lot - maybe because I'm just a little bit lazy. Gee, I meant to hang that painting - but after a while it kind of looks good that way. :)
view DesignHole's profile
I've done this forever and I get lots of compliments. It takes away the anxiety (and hole) of pounding a nail, plus you can change arrangements whenever you feel like it. I've never found that I needed to prop up my art with anything, but I have put little round plastic "bumpers" on the top back corners to keep the frames from scraping white walls. Leaning artwork also adds a little depth and dimension, casts a bit of a shadow--making it somewhat 3-dimensional as compared to the more 2-dimensional traditional hang. This is one place where laziness really does lead to more creativity and liveliness for me!
view bettyt's profile
Um, I love that credenza in the first pic - any idea where it's from?
view Seamy Underbelly's profile
seamy underbelly, there's a link to the credenza just below the jump: it's the Giulia Media Credenza from Design Within Reach.
spaceagemouse, you can use a shelf with a ledge or a stack of books to keep artwork from sliding.
view sarah c's profile
You could also use gallery adhesive (or whatever it's called?). That moldable, releasable sticky stuff that galleries put underneath sculptures to keep them upright if knocked. A small glop under the frame would stick it to the furniture.
view farmhousemoderne's profile
Leaner here.
view patrick (the other one)'s profile
i love to lean pictures- it's like the art is lounging.
view marisajane's profile
We have a large vertical piece that we lean against a wall.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/82525810@N00/1858093129/
I think it even looks better than when we had it hanging.
regards,
joel
view joel maria pirela's profile
I think this leaning business can be carried too far; at some friends' houses recently I have felt like saying "dude, get the hammer and nails out"... but no, my friend feels that leaning shows he is unconventional, free as a bird, bla bla. However, I am sure that all you artwork leaners never overdo it!
My paintings are on a wall over a sofa, so I never lean them, they hang on hooks held on to a railing at the top of the wall, so no holes, either
view Sofia's profile
I would imagine that keeping a painting leaning would be bad for it; the frame would warp, it would be easier to damage, more dirt on the front as well as bottom, sounds like a lose lose to me for the painting itself.
view dn's profile
I have so much artwork in my small space that I do a combination. The big stuff is on the walls and the small ones are leaning.
view bigcityboy2's profile
I rent so I lean. Once I own a home I'll probably install ledge shelves.
view LaDonnaNichole's profile
There's this one spot where I have a busy electrical outlet that I don't want to block with furniture, so leaning art it is.
view gordon's profile
dn--
A painting, perhaps, but probably no real worries for framed art. Although I doubt the stress would be that considerable for something iwth a decent canvas stretcher.
view patrick (the other one)'s profile
Ooops, yes, I am with bigcityboy2 as a combo leaner/hanger.
And, now, does the "big" refer to the "city" or the "boy"??
view patrick (the other one)'s profile
I love that first picture because the art has such a more prominent place than the TV.
view SFGail's profile
Dirty Patrick! ( I was thinking it too ;) And, in keeping with the inuendo and the topic I prefer all of my art to be hung. (rimshot please!)
Leaning feels unfinished, and I usually end up knocking things over which is not good for the art. Also, I worked in an art gallery -and leaning was definitely NOT acceptable. For smaller pieces like photos in those cheap plastic clip frames I use a thumb tack, which leaves a tiny hole. For larger pieces I use the bent metal hangers that you drive the nail into at an angle. I find they are easy to get out of the wall without doing too much damage. And even if you put a little hole in the wall - nothing some spackle and touchup paint wont fix.
view Modfan's profile
To secure leaning art on hard surfaces
you could use those clear adhesive pads used to support glass table tops, etc.
They come on a silicone-backed pad, and are so cheap.
If your leaning art starts to make it look you just moved-in and aren't finished setting up house then maybe it's time to consider 'permanently' hanging it.
In the right setting it works well.
view paulmuscat's profile
I'm super excited by what looks like a yellow leather covered womb chair in the first pick. I would love to do this if I ever decide to recover mine.
view longgoneblonde's profile
Gordon--me too!
Dave--that framed centipede is CREEPY. No pun intended.
view kuroneko's profile