apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

what's the paint color in that photo?

Try not to trap the white space. If you keep the spaces even between all the pictures, you're more likely to have it look good.

Here's one I did in my living room. If I do say so myself, I think it's a good example.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2261/2375035626_29a3aa57dc_b.jpg

I think it helps to have at least one unifying theme in an a collage -- e.g., the content of the art, a repeating color in the art if it's not the same theme, the color or style of the frame, etc. The collage in post above repeats ochre, black, and green in the art, uses mostly white mats, and black frames. I think that it would be even better if the spacing were consistent between pieces and there were a 'visual base line' for the eye, over or under which the pieces were hung.

Here are a bunch from my style tray that should be helpful:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dreamgoats/2256328083/in/set-72157603888925165/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dreamgoats/2256328087/in/set-72157603888925165/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dreamgoats/2256328099/in/set-72157603888925165/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dreamgoats/2256328101/in/set-72157603888925165/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dreamgoats/2256328105/in/set-72157603888925165/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dreamgoats/2257126526/in/set-72157603888925165/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dreamgoats/2257126522/in/set-72157603888925165/

The best examples don't seem too self-conscious. They appear natural and easy in terms of composition, theme, color, spacing, etc. -- rather than meticulously composed.

It might be good to test out various layouts on the floor until it looks good.
As contradictory as it may sound, I would carefully compose the pictures in a way that does not make them appear too carefully composed :)

Martha Stewart, the queen of "Oh, I should have thought of that!" did a thing where she traced all her frames in butcher paper, and then taped them on to the wall in different arrangements. This is also great because you can make an x on the paper where the frame's hook is, nail through the x, and then tear the paper away.

I feel like there has to be a common thread in some way:
-all different artwork, but all in black frames
-artwork all in the same color scheme, but in different frames
-totally random in color and style, but all photographs (or all pen drawings or all watercolors, etc)

Otherwise (at least in my experience) you can end up with pieces that are SO random it looks like you have no personal style. I think you need to edit the pieces to fit together to convey the same mood.

I personally decided to go with all different frames but a somewhat similar color scheme throughout. If I put a photo on the bottom left, I tried to balance it with a photo on the top right. Same with a bold print or a detailed painting… Just try to achieve balance in some way. I think even if your look is “random” and “collected over time” it still can be aesthetically balanced and pleasing to the eye.

It helps to take the artwork you're thinking of and lay it out on the floor to find a good composition. Taping paper the right size up on the wall is a good idea too, but using the actual art can help make everything balanced.

Personally I think wall collages look better when there's some sort of unifying element (subject, color...something). There was an email a while back on this subject, but art was so varied it seemed a little too much for my tastes.

Here is a small cluster I did.

Casey8, that tip about the butcher paper is the best. I hate figuring how to make things hang correctly due to the random nature of the hooks and wires. Thanks!

even spacing between the frames, regardless of their size or placement. And keep something about the arrangement consistent: I go with all the same color of frame, and for pieces that are matted use all the same mat. Then just add to the arrangement as you acquire pieces of different sizes or orientations.

My "cluster" is of family photos -- b/w, sepia, weird early 80s tint. All inexpensive ($3) black wood frames with white mats. They are spaced 1.5 inches (exactly) apart, and the lowest "row" is starts about 8 inches above my couch to sort of anchor it.

The "arrangment" of the pitcures in this matrix is in it's self artistic.A nice piece of design.
Amy

http://amyfielder.diinoweb.com/blog/

There's a whole section on wall art at BHG:
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/home-accessories/wall-art/

Example showing the paper technique:
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/home-accessories/wall-art/plan-the-perfect-art-arrangement/

Using colored circles, squares, rectangles, helps to illustrate the effect of art size and placement without being distracted by the art itself, LOL:
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/home-accessories/wall-art/arranging-art/

One of my favorite images/ideas is on this page, the overlapping color squares, hung from a long rail as a headboard:
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/home-accessories/wall-art/arranging-art/?page=3

There's more than one way to hang a group:
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/home-accessories/wall-art/hanging-wall-arrangements/?page=3