How does this work? Making wall collages look good.

9 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I'd like a bit of advice from those who know: are there guidelines to making wall collages work without making it look cluttered, random or messy? Are there specific sizes or shapes I should not be using? Thanks! Some examples that are on my mind:

Featured Answer

Kerry Harper

9 years ago

Naah, if you have to line them up horizontally or vertically, you must have a very strict structured life. Try relaxing a little.

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portpiro
9 years ago
Personally I hate collages because it confuses the eye and you end up seeing nothing but a muddled collection of pictures and shapes. But if you are keen on the idea then I like to see different shapes and a mirror or two thrown into the mix. You can pick up some interesting Art Deco mirrors in interesting shapes. I prefer a collection of no more than 8 larger pieces on a wall than lots of dinky small ones. Once you have a collection together you cut the shapes out in newspaper and arrange them on the wall with Blu Tak until you have the arrangement you prefer.
Eliot Koey thanked portpiro
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Eliot Koey
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I agree, it's really difficult to pull off collages. I have no idea how different shapes and pictures go together. Somehow the designer in the first picture (Bayside House) pulls it off.

Would mirrors stand out among collages? These art deco mirrors you speak of sound interesting. Any photo suggestions? Thanks by the way.
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portpiro
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
On ebay at the moment there are a bunch of mirrors for sale from quite cheap to quite expensive but there are a lot! This one is classical Art Deco http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mirror-Art-Deco-Bevelled-Wall-Mirror-Great-Condition-with-chain-timber-backing-/261791550960?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item3cf3fe0df0
You can often pick these up in thrift shops because they're not hugely popular but they have strong geometric shapes that go well with square and rectangular photographs. A circular mirror, and there are those listed too, also would go well. Deciding on the size and shapes for your collage is a matter of trial and error but it's basically about balance and only the eye can tell you what works. If you look at the first photo they have gone with a bunch of square and rectangular shapes that fall within certain parameters. 3 large about the same size, 4 mediums likewise and the rest are small. They have uniform cream mounts on most pictures and the rest are without. My daughter has done an arrangement of just black and white frames in her hall with white mounts and black and white photos which looks quite effective. All her frames are from Ikea. I have seen collages which are nothing but mirrors of different shapes and sizes and those can look great too. Look in thrift shops, Gumtree and ebay. Sort on Nearest First for the latter to find local pieces.
Eliot Koey thanked portpiro
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Eliot Koey
Original Author
9 years ago
The mirror looks dashing! That will definitely have to be a centre piece of any collage. Thanks for the wonderful advice on the collage, that's what I'm looking for too. I agree with the need for some kind of uniformity among the mounts. Perhaps even space between the mounts are important as well.
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Sandi
9 years ago
There needs to be a sense of flow, either with content, frames or the following of lines. When I have done collages, either line up horizontal or vertical lines. This collection has not done that and I find it difficult to take in successfully. There is nothing wrong with eclectic but the pictures need to have something that binds them.
Eliot Koey thanked Sandi
boundsgreener
9 years ago
Hi. I think this is one of those projects where you have to go with your gut and start and see how it goes. Unless the pieces are massive, you just have to bang a nail in the wall and put it up, look at it, and like it or put something else on the same nail. Even if you have to pull a nail out, with a collage, you'll end up covering the tiny hole at some point anyway.

The beauty of both of these example pics is that they are not structured and there are a variety of sizes, subjects and frames (and spaces in between). Do you have a collection that you want to put up? If you lay them out on the floor and move them around, you'll get a good idea of the basic placement. Then put up the first one closest to the furniture that is against the wall, work your way left, right and up. After each one, stand back and see if you like it. As you obtain more paintings, you can add them to the top or move the existing ones around.

If you want a bit more specific guidance, lay them out on the floor and take a photo for us and I'm sure people will give there tips about what they think should go where. Good luck!
Eliot Koey thanked boundsgreener
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Eliot Koey
Original Author
9 years ago
@boundsgreener you hit the nail on the head on that. Its an irreversible thing once the frames go up. I guess I was trying to figure out some logic behind those photos with lovely wall collages. I'll post a photo if I do lay it out on the ground as you suggest. Thanks!
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Eliot Koey
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Another fun way to collage I spotted on Houzz:
Family Home Notting Hill, London · More Info
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PRO
Eliot Koey
Original Author
9 years ago
@Sandra, thanks I'll try that out as well.
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Trudy Andrews
9 years ago
Ikea sell photo frames in sets for collages, they look great, check it out!!
Eliot Koey thanked Trudy Andrews
junipergirl
9 years ago
The basis of any good collage is a theme. Be it art works, or a colour, or a frame or a mirror, keeping the theme is important. Often collages can be a mish mash of odd sizes and colours, but provided there is a theme going on SOMEWHERE then it works. For example the 2nd pic is mostly green tones. Think of what you are trying to show and tell. Lots of art work can also include children's drawings. Mirrors could include a portrait artwork. Ocean themes can have 3 dimensional works like printers shelves with itty bitty collections of shells etc. Once you know what theme you are after everything else becomes easy.
Eliot Koey thanked junipergirl
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Nicholas Girling Art
9 years ago
One approach would be to actually have one image much larger or a completely different colour to the other prints. I like the idea of actually having a singular focus and then all the other images counterbalance either in scale, colour or texture or theme. So rather than just a mix match of different stuff, there might be an underlying theme and then put something in there that draws the eye as the hero piece.
It's like designing a document - if you make everything bold and big, everything will be bold...and big.
Eliot Koey thanked Nicholas Girling Art
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Eliot Koey
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Here's a wall collage that seems to work effortlessly well:

Hillion Residences · More Info
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kimmh72
9 years ago
I have done this one and my rule is stick with either the colour or the theme.
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PRO
Designed Space Interior Exterior
9 years ago
work out the wall space you want to cover, measure this on the floor. then start laying out our design within the space on the floor to create your design. There has to be lines running through the collage so there is a method to the madness- we don't want a messy looking arrangement, there must be a flow. You can line up the matts with outside edge of other frames etc. Layout all of your pics on the floor and mix up the frame styles and sizes amongst your layout. Take photos of your layout and then start hanging. My tip is don't start hanging until you have your plan 100% !!! lots of neck stretches too! i recently put together this collage and need a neck massage afterwards ;-)
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Eliot Koey
Original Author
8 years ago
Guys, thank you so much for your help with the collage. We decided not to go ahead with this idea, but have one centrepiece painting instead. Thanks once again!
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PRO
Nicholas Girling Art
8 years ago
Do you have a piece of art in mind as we have several original and prints available.
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Samantha
8 years ago
There's a trick to collages.

You either stick to the same horizontal or vertical line (can be of different sizes, just as long as they line up) or you cascade them diagonally which gives the illusion that it's randomised - BUT IT'S NOT!
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PRO
Jane Lu Art
8 years ago
If you're afraid it may look too messy, try to stick with the same colour palette.

Or have the same width frames to be on the safe side.
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How does this work? Making wall collages look good.

Kerry Harper

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