Displaying art in your home? Follow these guidelines for a stylish and tasteful space.

• Louisa Warfield advised against hanging large artworks in small spaces.
• Warfield suggested that a gallery wall, featuring various artworks, is an effective way to unite seemingly dissimilar pieces.
• Helen Sunderland Cohen, an art collector, stated that her living space is "eclectic" and that displaying art is about confidence and intuition.

According to art consultant Louisa Warfield, two common mistakes people make when hanging art in their homes are.

She stated that the first issue is when they hang artwork that is too small for the space. You often go in and find a sofa with a tiny picture above it, which looks lonely and bleak.

Hanging a large painting on a wall can make a room feel more homely and spacious, according to Warfield. It's also a good idea to hang big artworks in smaller spaces like hallways, he added.

If the artwork is hung too high, it becomes difficult to connect with it emotionally or visually.

There's no hard and fast rule for hanging the work, said Warfield. Instead, hang it so that your eye level is about a third of the way down from the top of the piece.

The 'gallery wall'

Displaying art at home through a gallery wall with varying sizes of pieces is a popular choice among people who do not have a specific art collection. They may acquire pieces on vacation or receive them as gifts, according to Warfield.

As our lives expand, our artworks may not align. However, a gallery wall can unite diverse elements into a cohesive aesthetic.

Warfield suggests giving the display cohesion by adding a quirk, such as having one picture that has a touch of red in it that stands out against a monochrome selection.

A gallery wall in a large home could be approximately 160cm in height and the same width as the couch above it, according to Warfield. She advised combining larger and smaller pieces and arranging them on the floor in front of the couch to determine the best display. There is no definitive answer to whether the largest picture should be placed in the center of the display, Warfield stated, as there are countless ways to achieve a pleasing aesthetic.

Warfield charges £175 ($222) plus taxes for two hours of advice on what to buy and how to display it. When it comes to hanging the artwork, it's recommended to hire a professional who knows the best fittings for the size of the artwork and the type of wall it will be hung on. Expect to pay a professional hanger around £80 an hour, Warfield said.

To match or not

Warfield believes that homeowners should prioritize their preferences when it comes to artwork, regardless of what the art world may think.

"Warfield advised his clients to consider the longevity of their art purchases, especially if they planned to change the color of their sitting room in the future."

Consider rehanging or reframing your artworks to suit your new space, or have them glazed in non-reflective and UV-protective glass to enhance their display.

Helen Sunderland Cohen, a collector of modern and contemporary art and photography, values balance in her collection. She aims to place works that complement each other in a particular space, using color, style, or a motif as a means of achieving this. For instance, she hung black and white photography down one corridor to create a harmonious balance.

An art collector's approach

Sunderland-Cohen's London abode boasts an expansive open-plan living space, featuring large windows that illuminate her impressive collection.

A mask by Yinka Shonibare, a monoprint on fabric by Aimee Parrott, and an oil on canvas by Prunella Clough are displayed next to each other. On a side table, a bright pink porcelain cone by Simon Bejer is displayed. Bejer is a graduate of the City & Guilds School of Art in London, where Sunderland Cohen is a trustee.

Sunderland Cohen stated that she tries to arrange the art in a way that complements the furniture, rugs, and light, resulting in a harmonious overall feel.

Sunderland Cohen, the manager of The Sunderland Collection, stated that she purchases artwork for her home that holds a personal connection to her, such as places she has lived. According to her, displaying art is mostly about confidence and intuition rather than considering what others may think or how popular an artist is.

She said, "I am captivated by design and enjoy living with it. Even simple objects like a well-designed lamp, a beautiful cushion, or a quirky vase can be engaging and fun, and do not have to be expensive."