After you all pitched in with finding the perfect lamp for my room I decided to share another interior design decision I want to make and am currently struggling with. We have now been living in this apartment for one year. We are both not feeling like moving any time soon again so I have a feeling we will stick out the not ideal neighborhood for a few more years. That said, it’s time to put some finishing touches in certain places. One is creating a picture wall – something I have always wanted to do… Never have… Mainly because I am overwhelmed or was lacking the wall space.
I have a corner space above my desk that I can turn into some cool inspirational space to hang art (self made and bought) as well as include some helpful pieces like a calendar or mood boards and such.
My vision and my goal for the picture wall would be:
- It should look artistically, clean, calming in colors of white and blues
- It should not look too cluttered
- It should be a system where changing art work is easy otherwise it will be the same for all time
- It should be flexible in case I need to move the picture wall to a new home or have different sized artwork.
- It should not cost a fortune
- It should have different sizes available
With this list in mind I started looking at option. Right now I have it narrowed down to two. I am leaning towards one but I encourage you to pitch in with thoughts and suggestions. And it helps to write out my thoughts for final decision making – this is what this blogpost is here for..
Option 1 – The Artsy Vibe
These are magnet strips of wood that you can easily click together. They come in four colors: white, black, walnut and teak. I am leaning towards the white ones – even though the wall ist white – because that would make the art work pop more.
Photos screen shotted from Amazon
Pro
- Easy to switch out
- Easily hung up, hopefully just a nail
- more flexibility alternating between art work formate
- Budget friendly
Con
- Might look messy, not calming
- Art work is not protected by glass
- Produced in China
Option 2 – The Art Gallery Vibe
These have an aluminium frame that magnetically clicks in place. It’s apparently used on many art shows and galleries world wide. It would be an investment. Multiply sizes and options available. Even customized versions possible.
Photos screen shotted from producer website
Pro
- This looks very sophisticated and timeless
- Supporting of German company
- could be used in other rooms of the house
Con
- More (read: very) expensive
- Needs to be installed with drilling holes – reviews say they are heavy
- Changing is not as easy as option 1
Here are my thoughts so far in creating a picture wall. I have a couple of photos I made which I want to hang up. I am also thinking about making a compilation of two or three of my best pieces from the previous 100 day challenges.
Which option do you prefer for the space? Do you have a picture wall? Did you plan it or did it grow organically? How often do you switch out photos or art work?
Header photo by Jonny Caspari auf Unsplash
10 comments
Oh, I like the flexibility of the magnetic wood strips. The aluminum frame looks nice, but I think the price and difficulty of swapping things out would turn me off of it. But maybe you’re not as lazy as I am!
Oh I am definitively lazy. And I don’t feel like drilling a gazillion holes in the wall because I know how much effort it is filling them up if you leave. Done it twice in the past two years and it’s no fun.
I agree with Engie that the first would give you more flexibility. Plus, if the cost is prohibitive on the others, these might be the better option. If they are lighter, too, it will be heaps easier to hang them. We have two gallery walls, but are not ones that we want to swap things out, and we got a professional to hang it since we are going to be in our current place for many years. One of them we will add to with more photos from our travels.
Oh wow I didn’t even know there are professional who do this kind of work. But I guess if you look for it you’ll always find someone.
Yes I am leaning toward the first option too. I need to check what artwork I already have and then make a list what I need.
The husband said why not the version from the header… well I like it too but fear it’s too cluttered. I guess the main feature is getting it started.
I have several of the option 1 hangers, and they work well for me. I love switching the artwork several times yearly, and these hangers make it easy to do so. On my hangers, the bottom piece has a strip of tape that sticks to the wall. It helps it stay level. I haven’t had any damage to my wall from it – but it’s something to be aware of. I tend to use the same size of artwork, so I don’t have to move the strip.
Good luck with your project! I hope you’ll share the results!
Oh that is such a smart thing to make them hang straight. Thanks for the tip. I’d love to see your wall. If I manage to cross it off I’ll share
I would probably go with option 1 if you want something easy that you can change out based on your mood/the seasons/etc. And if you think the process of hanging things up would be an annoyance, option 1 seems much, much easier!
Thank you Stephany. Option 1 feels more manageable even though I like the look and feel of option 2. But maybe the space is also rather small for big frames.
I personally prefer Option 2, it just looks so sophisticated and clean… but I guess there are cons to consider. Option 1 seems easier and more portable.
I love option 2 and it was my first choice until I saw the price tag. Also I am not sure if the corner is too tight for these kind of forms. I feel they need air to breeze. But hand down they are best frames I. This style I’ve ever seen.