How to Pair Art Together

Hanging art together on the wall can be tricky. But I want to show you how to pair art together so that the art looks like it belongs together on the wall. If art doesn’t go together it will look weird. You want art to pair well together. Learn how to pair art together below with my 5 tips! 

How to Pair Art Together

Here are 5 tips for how to pair art together so that the artwork looks great hanging on the wall! These tips are for hanging two pieces side by side as a diptych. For more ideas follow me on Pinterest and check out my framing and display board.

Pair Art Together with Colours 

Colour is one of the easiest ways to pair art together. You want both artwork that are hanging beside each other to have similar colours in them. For example, think of how the art is connected. If it is different art, maybe it has the same colour of navy blue in each painting. You want to make sure the colours go together. Neutral colours are grey, brown, black, white. Similar colours should look the same but may be slightly darker, lighter or brighter. 

Pair Art Together with Style 

The artwork should be in the same or similar style so that it makes sense as to why they are hanging side by side. For example, two black and white photographs, to colourful abstract paintings etc. If the styles are very different abstract and a realistic painting then they won’t go together. You might get away with different styles of art hanging near each other for a gallery wall because in that arrangement it is a group of multiple artwork not just two pieces. 

Pair Art Together with Size 

When you hang two pieces of art side by side they should be the same size of art so that they look even and balanced. You can choose to have a gap of 1-3 inches separating the art. 

Pair Art Together with Lines

Your artwork can connect with lines either obvious lines or non obvious. An obvious line would be a thick black paint stroke that starts on one painting and then comes across on the other painting. A non obvious line could be a horizon line on a landscape. Ideally the lines should match up to make the art look more connected! 

Pair Art Together with Frames

Lastly, if you are hanging art together as a diptych -two pieces side by side you want to make sure they are in the same frame so that they go together. Again, this doesn’t apply if you are hanging art on a gallery wall because that would be a collection of art 6 or more. You should be able to choose the same frame and matting because the art is of similar colours and styles that it will go with the same frame. If you need help framing your art check out this blog post about framing.

Related Articles

How to Choose the Right Frame for Art

How to Frame Cyanotypes 

How to Display Art on a Shelf

Places to Hang your Art 

Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas on displaying your art! You can click any one of the icons to follow me on social media. 

Choose the Right Frame...

Choosing the right frame for your art can be very difficult. I will show you how to choose the right frame in this blog post! I want you to be able to show off your artwork proudly in your home. Whether you are an artist or an art collector you need to know how to protect and preserve your art but also to be able to display it with pride in your home! Here are 5 things to consider when choosing the perfect frame to showcase your artwork!

How to choose a right frame for your art? Think about empty frames like this one with lots of white space around the art.

How to choose a right frame for your art? Think about empty frames like this one with lots of white space around the art.

Here’s What You Need to Consider When Choosing a Frame:


Colour - the colour of your frame depends on the colour of the art. If the art is really light like white, cream, beige, pastel colours then it might look too harsh in a black frame.

With my own art I am using a lot of light colours and minimal designs to really complement your existing home decor so I frame my own art in white or wooden frames. However, I sell my art unframed to allow people to really choose the right frame for them. A frame really ties an artwork together; it makes it look finished and polished. 

What Frames You Own - You should also base your decision on existing frames in your house. Figure out what your home decor style is and on what you like and already own. If you have all wooden frames then it makes sense to keep that consistent especially if frames are hanging near each other like on a gallery wall. 

I like to buy frames at Ikea - they have cheap prices and a nice quality but they are plexiglass. Another place I buy frames is Michaels or Winners- sometimes they have glass frames -other times they have plexiglass. It comes down to your budget and preference!

How to choose the right frame for your art. Example of handmade paper art by Jackie Partridge framed in a thin wooden frame

Size - it’s important for art to have room to breathe or white space around it. A lot of my art looks great mounted on white. The frame around the mounting ensures that there is enough room to show off the art. Usually you want at least 2 inches of space around an artwork in a frame. Some style trends have even more mounting space up to as much 4-6 inches. It all depends on your style and what you like and don’t like. 

Plexiglass or glass? - framing art in glass is going to be more expensive so consider your budget on framing art before you decide. Framing art in glass is a good option because you can get a protective UV coating if you are getting art framed professionally that will prevent the colours from fading over time. This is especially important in painting or photographs where colours will fade over the years.

Empty white frame. Neutral frame for framing art

Getting a free professional opinion - you can take art into a professional framer or a place like Michaels that have framing services. You can ask for a quote and usually the sales people will offer suggestions and thoughts on how you should frame encouraging you to buy. You can use their suggestions and a more professional opinion to help you decide on how you should frame the art and if you want to get it done professionally or if you feel capable doing it yourself. For art that I am purchasing or my own art I get it professionally framed so that it lasts for years to come!

Purchasing art is an investment. Art makes your home come alive and choosing the right frame will not only protect and preserve your artwork but it will show it off for years to come!

If you are considering purchasing my artwork and you are unsure how to frame it - don’t hesitate to email me.

How to choose the right frame for your art. White empty frame ready for artwork.

What’s Next?/Related Articles

Once you have framed the art the next step is deciding where to hang it - you can read about that here.

If you would like to display small artwork on a shelf - you can read here for more tips!

Follow me on Pinterest for more framing and art display ideas! 

Pinterest is an amazing resource for finding inspiration on framing and displaying artwork- you can check out my AMAZING board on “Framing and Art Display.” 

Don’t forget! Check out my shop to see the latest artwork!

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