Posted on: December 7, 2018 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

According to a recent Pew Research Center analysis of US Census Bureau housing data, more American households are now headed by renters than at any point since at least 1965. Renting does certainly have its share of benefits. You can rely on a landlord for repairs, you have the freedom to move more frequently, and you don’t have to pay property taxes. But as the costs associated with rental housing have increased, many renters have had to make do by living in smaller spaces.

 

When your home is a small studio apartment, it can be tough to put your own spin on things. You may not even feel you have much freedom to decorate your dwelling in a way that brings you joy. But just because you’re living tight quarters doesn’t mean your walls have to be devoid of art. In fact, you can use art in several clever ways in small spaces.

 

Eliminate the frames

The volume of global art sales reached 39 million transactions in 2017. But you don’t have to spend a fortune on a museum-worthy piece just to decorate your home. You don’t even have to buy framed reproductions of famous works.

 

This is because canvas prints can be just as beautiful and chic as framed art without any of the hassle. Not only is this art ready to hang from the start, but you’ll actually save space by taking those bulky frames out of the equation. That’s a real commodity when you’ve got limited real estate on your walls. In addition, the pieces you buy will be more likely to fit your aesthetic if you don’t have to worry about the frame style. Whether you choose to make a statement with just one piece or hang a few together, going frameless will allow the art to really shine and will eliminate waste.

 

Create a feature wall or mini-gallery

You may think you don’t have a ton of space for art, but you probably have at least part of a wall you can use for this purpose. You’d be surprised by how much art you can actually fit into a small area if you think outside the box. A colossal portrait or landscape painting may be out of the question, but you can pack a big punch in a little area if you combine forces.

 

In other words, try bringing together a bunch of small- or medium-sized pieces in a visually attractive arrangement. If you’ve got a couple of square feet above your couch or in the entryway, you can hang several pieces in a way that’s balanced without feeling too rigid. That way, you can display unique art that you’ve collected over the years that’s been stashed away or that has felt wrong in other places. As a bonus, this can also anchor a given room by providing a central focus and help define your specific style.

 

And if you have only wall corners or narrow hallways to work with? Create a vertical mini-gallery. By grouping together three or four pieces that are similar in size and style and hanging them in a way that makes good use of the wall height, you’ll add character to this formerly unusable space (and will probably impress your friends in the process).

 

Put art in unexpected spots

Art doesn’t have to live on your walls. If you really have no wall space to spare (or are afraid of your landlord’s wrath when they see the holes from the necessary nails), there are other wonderful ways to display the pieces you’ve collected.

 

Displaying framed art on a windowsill or mantel can be an excellent option, but you can also use bookshelves or built-ins for this purpose. Shelving can be the perfect vessel for smaller art pieces, particularly if they add some needed visual interest to your collection of books or knickknacks. It can be a welcome way to break up the monotony and show off your cultured personality.

 

You can also incorporate the leaning technique. Instead of hanging it up high on a wall, you can simply place a piece on a desk, a nightstand, or dresser and lean it against the wall. It may not be the most secure option (especially if you have children or rambunctious pets), but it has a simple yet stylish appeal that can make decorating a breeze.

 

Living in a small apartment can feel restricting at times, but those limitations may exist only if you allow them to. If you dare to be a bit unconventional with your art selection and placement, you’ll be able to curate a space that brings you happiness and no shortage of inspiration.

 

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