How To Lean and Layer Art for a Cool, Casual Vibe

These days, leaning and layering art has become just as popular as hanging artwork on your walls. While some may wonder if this is simply the lazy person’s approach to decor, nothing could be further from the truth. Learning how to lean and layer art is one of the many decorating approaches that I’ve adopted in order to create interest in our home.

In today’s blog post, I’m sharing my best tips for leaning and layering art, including:

1. Why You Should Try It

2. How To Do It (with examples from my home)

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HOW TO LEAN AND LAYER ART FOR A COOL, CASUAL VIBE

WHY YOU SHOULD TRY IT

1. Creativity and Interest

The #1 reason to lean and layer art is because of the sheer variety and interest this can create, using any horizontal surface including, console tables, night stands, buffet tables, bookcases, and more.

2. Flexibility

With no restrictions in place, you can move your artwork around, swap one piece out for another, and simply experiment. It’s also a good temporary solution or if you live in a rental.

3. Casual Feel

If you are looking for ways to make your home feel less formal, leaning and layering art creates an ‘effortless’ feel that can feel more approachable and less stuffy.

4. Connected Feel

Leaning art can connect that artwork with the decor around it. By layering a piece against a mirror or adding it to a collection of other art objects it helps connect it to your space for a more cohesive look.

HOW TO LEAN & LAYER ART (examples from my home)

Now, the fun part.

Here are my best tips on how to lean and layer art for a cool, casual vibe:

1. Pick your surface/wall combo.

The easiest surfaces to display your leaning art on are those that are already next to a wall.

This can include a mantel, buffet table, cabinet, entryway table, console, and floor (yes, this works too; see some fun examples here (#50 on the list) and here)

2. For a Single Art Piece: Display a single piece of art with other decor pieces.

If you have just one piece that you are adding to a surface, no problem. I prefer to display small to medium sized are as part of a grouping with other decor pieces.

Photo: “Spring Home Style Updates (2023),” A Pretty Fix.

Use decor that is in the same colour palette as the artwork and it will integrate seamlessly.

Any decor will do, including a vase, bowl, table lamp or task lamp, candlesticks or a stack of books. Use less decor for a clean, minimal look; use more for an eclectic vibe.

Photo: “How To Install Basic Shelves with Brackets,” A Pretty Fix.

3. For 2 or more art pieces: Display a pair or collection together.

One way to do this is to overlap each piece as you move forward, with the largest at the back and smallest out front.

Photo: “Choosing Art Prints (50+ online picks),” A Pretty Fix

I recently added a framed, handwoven piece to the same display, following the same pattern with the smallest piece out front.

Photo: “How To Frame a Weaving (or any textile)”, A Pretty Fix.

If you have a larger collection, why not try a linear gallery? To prevent the display from feeling to ‘clinical,’ stagger the sizes and overlap one or two pieces.

Photo: “DIY Gallery Wall Bedroom Guide for Beginners,” A Pretty Fix.

Photo: “Updating Our Guest Bedroom,” A Pretty Fix.

4. Mirrors in the Mix: Layer your art over an oversized mirror to create depth.

Photo: “Our Dining Room Refresh (+Source List),” A Pretty Fix.

Leaning art against an oversized mirror (whether it is hanging on a wall or leaning, as ours is), is a great way to add depth to your display and space, overall.

TIPS:

1. If the mirror (or art) you are using is oversized and heavy (as ours is), attach to your wall at the top end using picture hanging wire. This will prevent it from falling forward.

2. When leaning art or a mirror on a slippery surface, consider placing something underneath to prevent it from slipping.

Our framed art prints are lightweight and stay in place, but we secured our mirror using furniture pads all along the bottom, sticky sides facing down.

5. Mixing Formal & Informal Art Displays In the Same Space

While leaning and layering art is a great way to add a cool, casual vibe, if you like some ‘polish’ in your space, consider using a mix of leaning art and art hung on your walls.

My home is designed with a generous mix of the two in the same colour palette for a cohesive look.

I hope these tips have given you some good options when decorating your home. These are not hard and fast rules, just a guide to help you get started.

Happy decorating 🙂