3 Spaces You Should Never Hang Original Art
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Everyone loves an original painting! It's an amazing feeling to gaze at a loved artwork that is the real deal, hanging in your personal space where you can enjoy it's beauty any time you like.
However, there are a few spaces in the home where it's not a great idea to hang an original artwork. If you are going to invest hard earned funds into an original, you want to take good care of it, protect it from anything that could deteriorate or damage it in any way.
Here are three spaces we love to hang artwork but aren't necessarily a good idea. But it's ok, there's a solution, read to the end!
1. Bathrooms with Showers
Paintings by Maria Janosko and Dusty Genard hanging in a half bath.
Creating a spa-like environment in the bathroom is nice, but if there is a lot of moisture, this is a bad place to hang an original artwork!
Moisture can cause mold and mildew to grow on surfaces and this can be very destructive on an original artwork. Not only can it permanently damage the art, but it can reduce the value. Especially artworks created on absorbent substrates like paper or canvas.
Half-baths which don't contain showers and aren't located in humid/damp areas of your home are perfectly fine.
2. Basements
"Diversity: The Strength of Forests" by Christine Mercer-Vernon hanging in a climate controlled space.
Basements are becoming second living spaces... man caves, playrooms, entertainment spaces and more. Depending on the age of your home and how your basement living space is constructed there are a few things you should consider:
Is there a risk for water to come in? If so, then there is always a risk for mold and mildew, and even worse, water damage. Don't hang original artwork in this environment.
What is the humidity level of your basement? If dampness is a possibility or your basement tends to maintain or fluctuate with humidity levels, again, don't risk hanging artworks in this space. And yes, mold and mildew can get under glass. Just because it's framed and under glass doesn't mean it's safe.
If your basement can have moisture or water then the risk of mold and mildew is high. Never risk your valuable artwork in these spaces.
I've had collectors come back to me with works covered in mildew that hung in their finished basement which they thought was free of humidity.
3. Kitchens
"Costoluto Genovese" & "Black Beauty" tomato paintings by Christine Mercer-Vernon.
Oh how we love to decorate our kitchens, and with all the beautiful paintings of food out there, how can we resist?
Kitchens aren't necessarily off limits, but careful consideration of placement and ventilation should be taken into account.
It's not dampness that is a problem, it's GREASE!!
Even with good ventilation, grease floats through the air while cooking and settles on surfaces. Wipe the top of your refrigerator and you'll feel it.
Open Concept Living
Many kitchens are now open to other living spaces and ventilation above stoves and cook tops are better than in the past. But we must be mindful of where art hangs in proximity to the cooking area. The further away the better.
[ These oil on paper paintings are protected with a mat and glass to protect them in this open concept kitchen and dining area]
Monitor any artworks hanging in this space regularly. Paper works should be protected by glass or plexiglass. If the artwork has absorbent materials it's best not to hang them in the kitchen, should they have a build up of grease, it could be difficult to clean off or permanently damage the artwork.
* How to clean or restore damaged artworks?
Contact a conservator, always! Do not try to clean or restore the art yourself, you could impart further damage.
* THERE IS ART You Can Hang in these Spaces!
PRINTS! Yes, these are great places to hang prints. To be clear, NOT limited edition, signed and numbered prints that are of value!!
Some artists offer prints that are available from print-on-demand services that are not numbered and can be purchased very affordably or even directly through their studios. These are open-ended, meaning no limit on how many can be sold, and they are unsigned and unnumbered and are usually offered on a variety of materials.. paper, stretched canvas, metal, wood, and even fabric!
These are great for hanging in questionable areas. If damage should occur, you can simply order a new one.
And here's the best part about artist prints, you are still supporting your favorite artists!
So skip the big box stores, with their highly reproduced decorative art, and seek out prints from your favorite artists!
