The Scientific Case for Art Changeovers
Really See It: Why Updating Your Home Art Displays Is Good for You and Your Walls
Should home art displays be changed periodically? Interior designers and art professionals say yes, because updating what’s on your wall can refresh your rooms, add seasonal flair, help you rediscover works you’d forgotten about, and reflect your personal growth and evolving tastes.
There’s a scientific basis to this approach; research has shown that when we repeatedly see the same thing in the same place, we stop really SEEING it, because of a neurological process called habituation.
And on a practical level, swapping your art is an easy, economical way to trigger new emotional pleasures, showcase a recent trip or personal milestone with photos or artifacts, or simply get pieces you like out of storage and into view.
Many designers advise that home art displays should be changed anywhere from several times yearly to every few years—but that often involves patching holes, a bit of spackle and fresh paint. An art hanging system makes the process fast and effortless, without ever having to put another hole in the wall.
Christine O’Donnell, proprietor of Boston’s ShowUp Gallery, notes, “I get tired of always having the same things up at my house, so I’ll change it up from time to time. I love all the works that I have but enjoy seeing them in different lights or different rooms. Putting them in a new context can help you see things in a new way — different aspects might come out, or you’ll see different colors when you put new things next to each other.”
Or, as Katherine Kittoe, founder of Kittoe Contemporary, an online and physical art gallery and art consultancy, told the BBC, "A re-hang of artworks every few years—similar in principle to re-hangs in large public galleries, though obviously on a more modest scale—can be hugely rewarding and refreshing."
Of course, home art hanging is fraught with challenges, with every room having windows, furniture, radiators, light fixtures, and other obstructions that must be accommodated. Sometimes there’s only one place where a beloved painting will fit and it needs to stay there.
But even when that’s the case, other areas can support rotating displays. Here are some tips for how you can make your home’s art more dynamic:
Leverage the spaces you have
You don’t need a huge unbroken blank wall to create a great display. Even small corners of your living room or dining room can be excellent spots for ever-evolving gallery walls, while hallways, stairways, and entryways frequently have available wall space that can be used to good advantage.
Think about what’s going on in your life or community, and what’s on your mind, and assemble groups of works that make a statement or offer ideas for consideration. When things change, so can your display. (For more about the storytelling aspect of displays, see our free e-book, Everyone’s Guide to Art Hanging.)
Experiment!
As the Artfully Walls art-shopping website explains, “Decorating should be a joyful process. If you're feeling boxed in by traditional ideas of what matches or ‘goes together,’ give yourself permission to play. Try out unexpected combinations of artworks, frames, and layouts. The unique mix you create will be where the magic happens.” Using an art hanging system, as seen in the photo at right, makes the experimentation process far easier and faster.
Consider a schedule
Museum curators are always aware of the calendar, and you can be, too. Setting a rhythm can help build the habit of rotating your displays. Use bright, warm colors to offset winter’s
chill or plant and animal prints to celebrate spring. And the holidays can be a great time to bring out sentimental family favorites for a special showing. This Mirror and Frame blog post has good tips on seasonal displays.
Don’t neglect “private” areas
While some artworks show well anywhere, others are better in more-personal spaces like home offices or bedrooms. Freshness is at least as important there as in your living room, and you can fully indulge your playfulness and quirks.
Equip yourself for effortless changeovers
An art hanging system (or picture rail hangers, if your room has picture rail moldings) simplifies every aspect of display changeovers. You can place a hanging hook anywhere on your wall and rearrange works in seconds, so you can explore different combinations easily no matter what sizes or shapes are involved. And because there are no nails involved, there’s no wall damage or repair needed.
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