A Lana Williams painting hangs in Brooklyn.

Great question from the Nest:

How do we display the art we have for the best impact on the art and the room?

For starters, use a leveler tool to hang your art straight so that the center of the piece is at eye level. If you want to get fancy, light it with an individual art light (you can even find them at Ikea). Where you place your fave pieces depends on the room and the art: some things just scream ‘over the fireplace’ or ‘perfect for a dull corner area.’ Don’t be afraid to mix styles, textures, and colors. Contemporary art can lighten up a prewar room, tribal art or antique pieces can give a modern room more weight, and a bright, bold piece works well in a white room, so the art itself pops. Just don’t match your art to the exact colors of your furniture or rugs. If it’s a piece you love, not a poster from Wal-Mart, you don’t want it to blend into the room and disappear.

Thanks to The Nest for featuring us in a recent post on brightening up your entryway. You can get one of Ryan Pickart’s “Regina” print for your home for just $25 here.

Here are some great tips for how to find the right frame and elevate your artwork (via The Nest):

1. If you’ve decided to entrust your frame job to an expert, ask a few questions first: “Do you frame fine art?” “Do you offer glare-free glass?” “Do offer glass with UV protective coating, and acid-free materials?” If your framer trips over any of his answers, move on!

2. Shopping for your own? Choose one with UV protection and acid-free materials. Expect to pay between $50 and $500 for a good frame.

3. For a classic, museum look, go for a simple wooden frame.

4. If it’s a work on paper, one option is to let it “float,” which means having about 7/8 of an inch of empty space between the piece of art and the frame. Or, opt for a snow-white matte board to create a 3-inch border (Use tape to seal the frame in the back to avoid dust entering). 

5. Is it a work on canvas? Stick it straight up on the wall, stretched over a board, sans frame.

6. On a DIY budget? Simple binder clips can be a fun way to display an inexpensive piece of art (warning: while this is a cute option, it won’t protect your print). Or, try reusing an old frame, pant hangers or hanging a string of prints on a clothesline.

Framed Paperwork prints

Keep your growing art collection sparklins with these five tips from The Nest:

1. To avoid damage, frame your new artwork as quickly as you can. If it’s rolled up in a tube, flatten it out right away.

2. Choose a frame with UV protective coating and hang it away from direct sunlight. Make sure any lighting in the room is at least 10 inches away from it.

3. Dust regularly with a feather duster. It’s better to do this once a week or so, rather than for one in-depth cleaning since dust can settle into a painting over time.

4. If your art is covered with glass, use an ammonia-free cleaner. Don’t spray directly onto the glass — instead, put the cleaner onto a cloth and then wipe the glass.

5. Avoid touching a painting with your bare hands so that you don’t transfer natural oils, acids, and salts. Use powder-free latex or white cotton gloves.