Hang art at home like a pro

The Hindu

3 hours ago

Art is no longer a highbrow indulgence reserved for influential collectors or something that is tucked away in stark galleries. Today's design enthusiasts are rewriting that narrative, embracing art as an expressive part of their homes and often doing it themselves. Curating art at home is a nuanced exercise, capitalising on ideal heights, strong framing, and the quiet power of composition. We ask popular designers, collectors, and stylists to craft a definitive guide, turning bare walls into vignettes that reflect your story and sensibility.
Jaiveer Johal, art collector and entrepreneur in Chennai
A celebrated name in the Indian art fraternity, Jaiveer Johal's personal collection is guided by the Navarasa — the nine essential emotions that underpin Indian classical art. Through the Avtar Foundation for the Arts (AFTA), Johal brings modern and contemporary art to Chennai, and Chennai to the world. Recent artists who have captured his attention include Lakshmi Madhavan, Baaraan Ijlal, and G. Gurunathan.
'My aesthetic has always leaned towards art that defies genre — it must tug at my heartstrings. Be prepared to live with the work you hang. Art at home should be meditative,' says the entrepreneur. His trusted advice on composition? Blend 2D and 3D works to create depth, where modern and traditional elements coexist.
An easy mistake Johal cautions first-timers against? Treating homes like hotels. 'Art isn't acquired overnight. Display must be intentional, and a home should evolve around its art,' he avers. The art collector encourages collecting art through a personal lens — pieces found on travels, in flea markets, or tied to memory. 'Look for works that bring your walls to life and tell a story. It does not have to be expensive to be worthwhile,' he shares. In Chennai, Johal swears by professional framing and art treatment. 'Museum glass helps preserve the art's demeanour. Acid-free mounting is critical even in the backing selected. Bring out pieces every six to eight months and inspect their backs for fungal growth,' he advises. Another rule of thumb? 'Art displayed in homes is not meant to emulate a gallery. Something that always works for me is bottom lighting for subtle impact and including table lamps for an immersive ambience.'
Pro tip Invest in museum glass and bottom lighting: 'Museum glass helps preserve the art's demeanour. Acid-free mounting is critical even in the backing selected,' says Johal.
Fymin Naif and Nimitha Harith, interior stylists in Chennai
Living by the adage of 'better halves,' interior stylists Fymin Naif and Nimitha Harith are the creative forces behind immaculately styled residences in the country. Their approach towards curating art is heartfelt. 'Art should evoke something personal — a sense of belonging, memory, or roots. It helps to remember that no choice is burdened by permanence,' shares Harith.
The duo ensures art is installed at typically 50 to 60 inches from the floor. 'Art hung too high feels disconnected from the space,' notes Naif. 'When placed in context with furniture, ensure a clearing of six to 10 inches between the bottom of the art and the top of the furniture. An easy way to gauge size is to let art span two-thirds the furniture's width,' she illustrates.
The team sees the gallery wall as a 'personality puzzle'. They start with a bigger piece at the centre of the wall and work outwards. Their pro tip: create and edit your layout on the floor, freeze the composition, then execute. Strategically placed spotlights or floor lamps can elevate the presence of displayed art. The works of artists Sachin Samson, Nida Jahain, and Anjali Ponni Rajkumar have intrigued the two recently.
'We love peppering wall-scapes with photographs, pressed flowers, and heirloom objects. Allow two to three inches of gap between frames,' Naif adds. Framing, Harith notes, is an unsung hero, especially in coastal cities. 'UV-protective glass, acid-free mounting, and sealed backing are our go-to checks. They prevent yellowing, warping, and fading.' More miniature artworks shine in styled clusters, especially when arranged in odd numbers. Pair them with vases, candles, books, or curios.
Pro trip Mind the inches. Ensure art is installed at typically 50 inches to 60 inches from the floor, says Naif.
Vinithra Amarnathan, principal designer at Weespaces in Bengaluru
The signature of a Weespaces project has always embodied the balance between modern nuances and personalised details. 'Art has always been an integral part of my design process, almost subconsciously,' says designer Vinithra Amarnathan. 'Over the past eight years, this instinct has shaped every home's story and become central to our team's ethos.' For the novice, she recommends a trusted approach: A common thread in art, as a form of storytelling, always works. 'The style, colour palette, or framing choices can be made consistent,' she highlights, and recommends a size between half and two-thirds of the furniture's width for oversized art paired with furniture. In moody spaces, single or grouped miniature prints can create a striking focal point with an interplay of scale. In Bengaluru's drier conditions, the designer uses anti-glare glass for artwork exposed to sunlight. She recommends pre-treatment for textured installations (mixed media, plaster, fabric) to ensure durability and to control potential moisture buildup.
'Typically, the artwork's centre, about five feet from the floor, is ideal. Frame choice, mount colour, and thickness are crucial to realising the vision. When working with multiple pieces, I create an imaginary perimeter to compose each piece within,' she explains. Some of Amarnathan's recent curatorial projects feature works of artists Harisha Chennangod, Richa Kashelkar, and Deborah Velasquez. She loves introducing art in unconventional spaces. 'Dining consoles, kitchen shelves, powder baths — the idea is to unexpectedly layer everyday spaces with art to instantly elevate them,' she explains. She often highlights pieces with picture lights in intimate nooks and adjustable track lights in communal areas.
Pro tip Amarnathan recommends a size between half and two-thirds of the furniture's width for oversized art paired with furniture
The writer is an architect and design specialist.