Mixed Media Art: Choose the Right Size

Whether you are looking for a large mixed media art print to make an impact in an empty wall space or a small painting for your desk, be sure to consider the size of your art before buying. To help with this process, here are four simple steps to follow when figuring out the best dimensions for your piece.

In this blog, I will be exploring ways to help you find the right art size for your wall space.

Different art sizes for different wall spaces

When you are choosing art for your home, it is always a good idea to get inspiration from images of rooms with the same kind of decorating theme as yours.

One of the best ways to add color and texture to a room or gallery wall is by using mixed media art pieces. As seen in my artwork- they feature vivid colors and contrasting patterns to reflect the themes

Looking at each of them, you will see that they contain many different shapes and sizes. These art pieces form an integral part of your wall and space. They enhance your space and fill up your empty wall space or a tabletop. To achieve the perfect look never leave any wall space empty!

Deciding how big should your art be?

Deciding how big should your art be is typically based on the size of the wall space you are trying to fill. For example, if you have a large empty wall you may want to get a piece that is oversized and dramatic. If it’s a small wall you can typically get away with something intimate in scale.

Another way to decide your dimensions for mixed media art is how much wall space do you have? Bigger spaces allow for larger pieces but even little nooks and crannies sometimes need bigger art than expected! Also keep in mind that when hanging multiples or grouping that each piece will add up in size, so try not to create too much if they’re different sizes.

Another way to figure out the size you want is how much do you need to fit in your space? In other words, it doesn’t have to be a perfect square or rectangle so don’t get too caught up in thinking everything has to perfectly fit. Just be sure that when it’s hung there isn’t a lot of extra empty walls around the piece.

Depending on the smallness of your wall this can add a bit of a dramatic effect which can work but sometimes looks better if that’s not the look you’re going for. For example, if you have a large painting and then fill up each side with two medium pieces instead of one large one, it may create an unexpected impact which could be great!

Another way to determine the size of a mixed media art piece is how much room do you have for your wall hanging hardware? Typically, screws need to be at least 1″ from the wall so keep that in mind when figuring out where you want your piece to hang.

Determine the size of your wall space

Before you can decide on a piece, you must know what kind of wall space you’re working with. This is especially important if your artwork will be hanging above an existing piece such as a large sofa or bed (and if so, remember to leave room for that!).

Why choosing the right size for your wall is important?

If you choose a piece that is either too large or too small for the space, it can throw off the balance and proportion of the room. It’s worth carefully measuring and planning where your artwork will go to ensure it fits well in its surroundings.

Think about what kind of statement you want to make

Does your art need to serve as an anchor to the rest of the room? If so, choose a medium-large piece (around 60″ wide) that offers plenty of negative space (white space). The white space allows the work to stand out while still allowing other elements such as furniture and accessories to play a role in how it all comes together. If you’re looking for something with impact but a less demanding presence, try using several small-medium pieces (30″ wide) instead.

If your art needs to play off of larger furniture such as a sectional sofa, choose smaller work that allows the space around the piece to shine through (without competing for attention). If, on the other hand, you’re pairing your new art with something like a large pendant light overhead, opt for larger framed work that helps create an interesting dialogue between horizontal and vertical elements.

Making a statement with the right mixed media art

The choice between big or small art can have just as much impact on the look and feel of a room as the art itself. The chosen size of the artwork will help determine how grand or dramatic it is and where (or if!) it fits with other pieces in the room.

Focus on how your gallery wall will relate to other elements in the room

Gallery walls can be beautiful focal points for any space, but they should always complement and enhance other features in the room instead of competing with them. If surrounding gallery walls are more traditional or modern than yours, choose smaller framed pieces that fit well within the current scheme (and vice versa).

Why choosing artwork size depending on its surroundings is important?

Choosing art that balances out any style inconsistencies or clashes between other elements around it will help create a cohesive look throughout the whole space. Remember: this step may involve some trial and error to get right!

Translate your art to scale

If you are using a large piece, you can break it down into smaller ones that will work together in the same way. For example, if you have a very large painting at 10′ long and 2′ high, which is too big for any wall space in your home, consider cutting it into several pieces of various sizes that still complement each other but fit your available wall dimensions.

Think about how often you'll want to look at your art

What’s the most important factor in choosing an interior design element? Probably functionality! You certainly don’t want something that is going to be so eye-catching that you can barely see what’s around it. If that’s the impression you’re hoping for, then by all means go big! But if you want your space to function well with your art as an ever-present design element, be sure to consider how often you’ll actually look at it and how important that is to you.

Make sure there’s enough breathing room between pieces

When two or more pieces are hung side by side, there should be enough space between them to allow elements in each work to stand out and not overlap each other. If a picture frame in one piece touches a frame in another, this could create confusion about which object is being shown and ruin the composition of the arrangement altogether. To avoid this from happening, make sure there’s at least a half-inch of the distance between each piece.

Determine what kind of feel you want from your piece

Artwork can make a space feel open and airy, dark and intimate, or it can even help define different zones within a room. For example, a large painting hung over a dining table will visually bring together the other elements around it while also creating a focal point for the seating area below. Meanwhile, if you’re going for something more relaxed, consider hanging several small pieces throughout your living area to avoid overwhelming any one area with too much attention.

Keep your hands off!

At first glance, many people think that they should measure the exact spot where they plan on hanging their piece and then take a picture of the wall with their phone. While this may work for some, it often doesn’t account for things like lighting conditions, reflections from other objects within your space, or even temperature changes that could cause the paint to expand or contract over time.

Instead, use your phone to measure how high you want your piece to be hung from the ceiling and then find a picture online that shows what that height looks like in another setting. From there, you can adjust the dimensions until they better fit your wall at home—and voilà! You’re now ready to start shopping for your new art piece today.

The first step is the most crucial step of all. You must determine where you want to put your art — on the wall or standing up with other frames. If your wall size permits and if you can check if your budget allows for larger pieces.

As I mentioned above, choosing the right size for your mixed media art can make or break its impact on any space. No matter what size you choose (large, small, medium-large), always take care and measure twice before hanging it.