Easy Tricks to Make Any Wall Art Feel Bigger & Bolder

published Apr 5, 2016
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(Image credit: Emma Fiala)

Sometimes you fall in love with a piece of art, envision it in a certain perfect spot in your home…and are totally disappointed when it turns out to be too small. Don’t find another place for it just yet! There are four easy ways you can make a too-small piece of art seems bigger and bolder.

(Image credit: Breanne Johnsen)

1. Add dramatic hanging hardware

Like the example above, using items like thick, textured rope or ribbon to “hang” the art can make it feel a lot more substantial than the actual pieces are.

(Image credit: Heather Keeling)

2. Choose a larger mat and frame

Make any art piece feel more substantial (and actually take up more space on the wall) by choosing a larger mat and a larger frame.

(Image credit: Lauren Kolyn)

3. Use paint to create the illusion of larger art

Using a color that contrasts to your wall paint color, create a border around your art piece. It’ll make it feel larger.

(Image credit: Selena Kirchhoff)

4. Try hanging your art sideways

If an art piece won’t fit in the spot you envisioned it to go, try turning it on its side (literally). In Jessica’s living room above, a horizontal seascape painting becomes almost abstract when hung vertically to fit the narrow spot on the wall.