How to decorate with canvas prints

Photography is becoming one of the most popular hobbies in Australia.  As most of us now walk around with a fairly sophisticated camera, just in our phones, it is so simple to take a good quality snap.  Some people will tell you that a new model Smartphone has a camera that will rival a good priced SLR digital camera.  Whether you agree with this or are a fan of an SLR camera with all the bells and whistles, it has never been easier to take good quality images and then to turn them into beautiful canvas prints.

A weekend photography course can really hone your skills and once you are hooked, you may find it becomes a more expensive pastime!  But at the end of this you will have a treasure trove of beautiful photos.

How to turn your photographs into artworks

One of the best ways to display these photos, and certainly one that provides the greatest impact, is to turn them into gorgeous canvas prints that you can use to decorate your home.  The appeal of this is that the artworks are unique, have a personal meaning and are relatively inexpensive.

I often meet with clients to discuss how they can decorate their homes and artwork can sometimes be a little divisive between couples.  One may like traditional art and the other may prefer an abstract piece, but the one thing that they usually agree on are photos that they have taken themselves of favourite holidays.  There is a connection there where the image has a personal meaning to them both and this is always a good way to find some middle ground and also to produce an outcome that will look great.

 

A gallery wall with canvas prints

I love a beautiful large statement artwork, but the one thing I can't handle is a large wall with just one or two smaller artworks, looking sad, lost and lonely!  Therefore, rather than leave these all alone, get together a collection of your favourite photographs, turn them into canvas prints and display them all together.

It's a good idea to use a theme for a gallery wall and to consider how the images will work together.  I always lay the artworks out on the floor first to see how the collection of images work with each other.  Remember that the negative space – that's the wall in between – is as important to consider as the artwork itself.

Don't be afraid to mix up images that are canvas prints with those that are framed.  The frames also don't need to be the same but remember that some images may appear more dominant than others.  For example, in the image above the central image is very powerful and has a dark frame.  The eye goes to this one first and then wanders around the others.

Gallery walls work well in hallways where you can walk slowly and appreciate each piece.  They are also very effective when placed over something, for example a bed, sofa or console/buffet table.

If you have enough artworks to make a really interesting gallery wall.  Or if you have made a gallery wall from family photos, it is quite likely that you will want to build upon your collection.  So consider too how you can add to the wall in the future – or start another one!

Think outside the box for your canvas prints

Think outside the box for display ideas.  Canvas prints can also be displayed on furniture or on a shelving unit.  This brings a nice relaxed element to the room.  I also like to install slimline shelving in hallways which is just for the purpose of displaying artworks.  Ensure that you mix up the sizes of the pictures to create interest.

A photograph broken up into sections, as in the image above, is a particularly striking way to display a favourite piece.  How much more interesting is this than just a simple large artwork?

I hope you have been inspired by this feature.  Remember you don't have to have a huge budget to make your home an interesting, welcoming and stylish one.  Consider using canvas prints to decorate your home with and make good use of your beautiful photos.  Leave a comment below to let us know whether you are a keen photographer or you have turned family photos into artworks.

More information and inspiration can be found at MyPicture.com.au

 

Gallery walls often look just jumbled up and sometimes if you really have a good eye for placement, you can get away with this.  But usually you will see that there is a system to something that just looks artfully put together.  I have all you need to know about this, including templates on How to put a gallery wall together

If you are looking at refreshing and restyling a room you should start with a mood board – I have a free e-book for you to download showing you how to put a mood board together.  Download from my FREE Resource Library here.