So, you’ve got a fantastic piece of art celebrating your furry, scaly, or feathery friend! Maybe it’s a custom portrait, a whimsical illustration, or even a photograph you took that captures their unique personality perfectly. Holding it in your hands is one thing, but giving it the pride of place it deserves in your home is the next exciting step. Simply sticking it to the wall with tape won’t do justice to the art or the beloved subject. Thoughtful display turns a nice picture into a cherished focal point.
Why Bother with Proper Display?
You might wonder if all the fuss about framing and placement is necessary. Absolutely! Firstly, protection is paramount. A good frame, especially with the right glazing, shields your precious pet art from dust, moisture, accidental splashes, and the damaging effects of UV light which can cause fading over time. Secondly, the right presentation enhances the artwork itself. A well-chosen frame complements the colours and style, drawing the viewer’s eye and making the piece feel complete. It adds a layer of sophistication and intention. Lastly, how you display the art integrates it into your home’s decor, making it feel like a deliberate and valued part of your living space, rather than an afterthought.
Choosing the Perfect Frame: More Than Just Edges
The frame is the immediate border around your pet’s portrait, and its impact is significant. Don’t just grab the first one you see! Consider these elements:
Style Sync
Think about the artwork’s vibe and your room’s aesthetic. Is the portrait modern and minimalist? A sleek, thin metal or black wood frame might be perfect. Is it a classic oil painting style? Perhaps a more ornate or traditionally shaped wooden frame would work. For rustic or farmhouse decor, a distressed wood frame could be ideal. The goal is harmony – the frame shouldn’t fight with the art or the room.
Material Matters
Frames come in various materials:
- Wood: Classic, versatile, available in countless finishes (natural, painted, stained, ornate). Can be traditional or modern.
- Metal: Often lends a contemporary, sleek look. Common finishes include black, silver, gold, and bronze. Generally thinner profiles.
- Polcore/Plastic: More budget-friendly, lightweight, and available in many styles, sometimes mimicking wood or metal. Quality can vary.
Consider the weight if you’re hanging on less sturdy walls, and think about the longevity you desire. Solid wood often lasts longest but may cost more.
Colour Coordination
Frame colour can make or break the display. You can choose a colour that picks up a minor shade in the artwork itself – perhaps the colour of your pet’s eyes or a background element. A neutral frame (black, white, grey, natural wood, metallic) is often a safe bet as it lets the artwork shine. Alternatively, a contrasting colour can make a bold statement, but be careful not to overpower the portrait. Think about the wall colour too – you want the framed piece to stand out, not blend in entirely.
Size and Proportion
The frame’s width (its profile) should be proportional to the artwork size. A huge, chunky frame can overwhelm a small portrait, while a tiny, thin frame might look lost around a large canvas. This is where matting also comes into play.
The Magic of Matting
Don’t underestimate the mat! That cardboard-like border between the frame and the artwork isn’t just filler; it serves several crucial purposes. It provides visual breathing space, preventing the art from feeling cramped by the frame. It also draws the viewer’s eye inward towards the image. Furthermore, a mat creates a physical separation between the artwork surface and the glazing (glass or acrylic), which is essential for protecting the art from potential moisture condensation or sticking.
You can choose single, double, or even triple mats. Double matting, often with a thin reveal of a contrasting or complementary colour underneath the main mat, can add extra depth and a professional touch. When selecting mat colours, similar principles to choosing frame colours apply. Neutrals like white, off-white, cream, or grey are popular choices as they don’t compete with the art. You could also pick a colour from the artwork for the main mat or the inner reveal of a double mat. Always opt for acid-free, archival-quality mat board to prevent yellowing and damage to your art over time.
Glass or Acrylic: The Protective Layer
The glazing is the clear shield over your artwork. Your main choices are glass and acrylic (often known by brand names like Plexiglas).
- Glass: Offers excellent clarity and scratch resistance. However, it’s heavier, can break, and standard glass offers little UV protection. Reflection and glare can also be issues.
- Acrylic/Plexiglas: Much lighter than glass and shatter-resistant, making it safer, especially for larger pieces or in homes with kids or pets. It naturally filters some UV light, though specific UV-protective grades offer much more. The downside is that it can scratch more easily and may carry a static charge attracting dust.
For valuable or cherished pieces, investing in UV-protective glazing is highly recommended. Conservation Clear glass or UV-filtering acrylic can block up to 99% of harmful UV rays, significantly slowing down fading.
Protect Your Portrait! Standard glass or acrylic offers minimal protection against ultraviolet light. Over time, UV rays from sunlight or even fluorescent lighting can cause irreversible fading and damage to pigments and paper. Always consider upgrading to UV-protective glazing for any artwork you value, especially pet portraits that hold sentimental worth. It’s a worthwhile investment in preserving those precious memories.
Thinking Outside the Traditional Frame Box
Framing with mats and glazing isn’t the only way to display pet art, especially with modern printing techniques.
- Canvas Prints: Artwork printed directly onto canvas offers a painterly feel. These can be stretched over a wooden frame (stretcher bars) and displayed as is, particularly if the image wraps around the edges (gallery wrap). You can also place a stretched canvas into a “floater frame,” which leaves a small gap between the canvas edge and the frame, creating a sophisticated floating effect.
- Metal Prints: Images infused onto an aluminum sheet provide a vibrant, modern, and durable display option. They often come with mounting hardware on the back, making them appear to float off the wall.
- Wood Prints: Printing directly onto wood offers a rustic, warm aesthetic, with the wood grain sometimes showing through the image.
- Digital Frames: If you have a digital pet portrait or a slideshow of favourite photos, a dedicated digital photo frame is a dynamic way to display them.
- Shadow Boxes: Perfect for combining a 2D portrait or photo with 3D memorabilia, like your pet’s first collar, a favourite small toy, or a paw print impression.
Showcasing Your Star: Placement and Arrangement
Where and how you hang your art is just as important as the framing.
Create a Gallery Wall
Don’t have just one pet portrait? Or want to mix it with other art or photos? A gallery wall is a fantastic solution. Lay out your pieces on the floor first to find an arrangement you like before making holes in the wall. You can mix frame styles and sizes for an eclectic look, or keep them uniform for a more formal feel. Ensure relatively consistent spacing between frames for a cohesive appearance. A pet-themed gallery wall can be a heartwarming feature in a living room or hallway.
Make it a Focal Point
Give your pet portrait the attention it deserves by making it the main event on a wall. Prime locations include above a mantelpiece, centered over a sofa or console table, or above your bed’s headboard. Ensure it’s hung at the right height – generally, the centre of the artwork should be at average eye level (around 57-60 inches from the floor). When hanging above furniture, leave a gap of about 6-10 inches between the bottom of the frame and the top of the furniture.
Unexpected Spots
Think beyond the living room! A pet portrait can bring personality to a home office, add warmth to a kitchen nook (ensure it’s protected from splashes and steam!), brighten a hallway, or even anchor a dedicated “pet corner” with their bed and toy basket nearby.
The Importance of Lighting
Good lighting makes your artwork come alive, while poor lighting (or direct sunlight) can detract or cause damage. Avoid hanging valuable art where it will receive direct, harsh sunlight. Consider dedicated picture lights mounted above the frame, or use adjustable track lighting or spotlights angled towards the piece. Choose bulbs that offer good colour rendering (a high CRI – Colour Rendering Index) so the colours in the portrait look true.
DIY Framing vs. Professional Services
Should you frame it yourself or take it to a professional?
DIY Framing: Can be more cost-effective, especially for standard sizes. Offers immediate gratification. However, the range of readily available frames and mats might be limited, and achieving a truly professional, archival-quality finish can be tricky without the right tools and materials (like acid-free mats and backing, proper mounting techniques).
Professional Framing: Offers a vast selection of frame mouldings, mat colours, and glazing options. Framers have the expertise to handle artwork correctly, ensure proper mounting, and provide archival protection. They can offer design advice and create custom solutions for unusual sizes or display needs. While more expensive, the quality and longevity are often superior.
Why Go Pro? Professional framers offer expertise you won’t find in a craft store aisle. They understand archival materials, ensuring your pet art is preserved for years without damage from acidic mats or improper mounting. They can perfectly cut custom mats and assemble the frame securely, providing a polished, high-quality finish that enhances the artwork’s value and appearance. For irreplaceable or commissioned pieces, professional framing is often the best choice.
Ultimately, displaying your pet art is about honouring the joy and companionship your animal brings. Taking the time to choose the right frame, consider the matting and glazing, and find the perfect spot in your home elevates a simple picture into a treasured piece of decor. It’s a wonderful way to keep their adorable face and unique spirit present in your daily life. So go ahead, give that portrait the presentation it deserves!
