Knowing how to care for artwork is equally important as looking for the right piece to display in your home. When you start looking at art as an investment, this means that the art pieces you choose have value and effort must be exerted in taking good care of them, whether you are displaying or storing art.
Looking for a piece of art that truly defines your personal taste is exciting. You can choose to buy wall art online, at a flea market or any kind of store that sells them. Once we finally find something that resonates with the design that we have in mind, please do remember that maintenance over these things also plays a big role so that you can enjoy them for years.
We have gathered some expert tips on how to properly take care of your precious wall art collection.
AVOID EXPOSURE TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT OR INDIRECT SUNLIGHT
Sunlight contains UV rays that can potentially damage a piece of art if it is exposed over a long period of time. Works on paper like photography, watercolor or even textile have a high tendency to fade under a significant amount of direct sunlight. Consider the place where you plan to display your artwork. Rooms that take in a lot of light may not be healthy for your art as it may cause them to warp and be discolored. We talked further about how to protect wall art from light damage in this article.
DUST REGULARLY
We do not want our artwork to accumulate dirt and dust over time. It would be a good practice to include your artwork in your cleaning routine. For pieces with a frame, it is best to use a soft dry brush or makeup brushes to dust around it. As for cleaning the glass itself, a damp cloth can be used to gently clean it. Canvas prints on the other hand can also be cleaned the same way. Use a soft cotton cloth or microfiber cloth to gently clean the print.
ON USING GLASS CLEANERS
It is also important to take into consideration the type of glass you are using with your frame. Check if it is a regular glass or plexiglass. Being mindful of the cleaning agents you use is paramount as ammonia-based cleaners could leave it cloudy looking.
Spray ammonia-free cleaner onto the cloth( NOT directly at the glass). Doing so may potentially damage the art inside the frame if the water drips down between the art and the glass. Make sure to never use cleaning products or chemicals directly to the art itself.
BE MINDFUL OF HOW YOU HANG YOUR ART
What kind of artwork do you have? Do you have a framed poster? A canvas print? An unframed picture? Different art pieces can be presented in many ways. It is also worth considering the weight of the wall art and the sturdiness of the wall where you decide to hang it. Do you have a drywall or a concrete wall? Small or medium sized frames or canvas prints can be easily hung on nails or screws, but larger ones, in particular, would be needing some extra strong hanging hardware or tools. You wouldn’t want your art falling down. In a separate article we put together some basic ways on how to hang a canvas that can also work for framed prints. Nonetheless, you can always ask your local framer or handyman about the best way to display it or to do the work for you.
CONSIDER THE LOCATION
Where we hang our wall art also determines the external elements that they will be exposed to. Think about the type of activity being done in a certain room because this can also affect your displayed artworks in the long run. Do not hang your art at places near direct heat like the stove, radiator, HVAC vent, humidifiers, or fireplaces.
CHECK THEM REGULARLY
It is also essential to check your framed arts for mold, if the hooks are still properly attached, if there is some discoloration or if the frame itself is still in good shape. Doing so may give you much awareness of your artwork’s condition. Prevention is better than fixing something that is already damaged.
Please bear in mind these maintenance guides because they can help your wall art last for years to come. For more design inspiration, head on to our gallery and check out our amazing and high-quality posters and canvas prints that can match your decorating needs!
