Our Tips for Lighting Artwork
Since you often ask us how (or whether) you should light the artworks that decorate your home, we’re finally putting it all in one place. We have five tips for you that will never lead you astray!
1. Assess the light balance throughout the room.
A painting should be lit brightly enough to reveal its true colours and texture, but it shouldn’t become the brightest object in the room. Good lighting should highlight the natural beauty of the artwork without looking artificial. Naturally, darker works will need more light than lighter ones, but keep in mind that some paintings don’t need any lighting at all. Only install lighting if it enhances the piece within your interior.
In a bright, contemporary living room, accent lighting highlights a large abstract piece and original sculptures.
Darker works will need more light, especially if they’re hung high up. For a piece hanging above a fireplace, a dedicated picture light is an excellent choice. The painting will become the room’s main focal point.
2. Assess your options.
If you plan to change or move your artworks, track lighting is a great choice — that’s exactly why museums use it!
If you have higher ceilings and large walls, track lighting is the best lighting option. Since fixtures hanging from the track sit higher and farther away, the light spreads more evenly and widely.
Thin tracks mounted to the wall look more subtle. Next to vivid paintings, they’re almost unnoticeable.
3. Keep the frame and the painting’s texture in mind.
With the right lighting setup, glare can be avoided. If you want to light reproductions or watercolours framed under glass, try to have the light fall at as wide an angle as possible. Also, keep in mind that light on acrylic or oil works will also create shadows.
Properly lit, this textured abstract piece truly comes alive. The light is bright enough to bring out the painting’s texture, but not so bright that it casts shadows.
4. Light the entire piece.
After all, you don’t want your paintings lit at the top but dark at the bottom. If you don’t have enough space above, you may need to light them from below as well.
The upper portions of these paintings are too bright. Remember that in an interior, the eye is drawn to whatever is brightest.
Even, not-too-bright lighting subtly highlights the painting.
5. Avoid incandescent bulbs.
Never choose high-wattage incandescent bulbs, as the heat they radiate will literally bake your painting. Used daily, they will crack the varnish and fade the colours.
Photos from FineArtLight, Pinterest, Christie's, Architectural Digest, DLB Custom Home Design, Home Adore.