Nate Berkus Breaks Down the Unspoken Rules of Hanging Art

Mix and Match Frames

The most common mistake that Berkus notices when people frame their art is thinking that everything has to match. "I prefer mixing and matching," he says. In order to achieve a coherent result, he recommends keeping the language of the frames similar. "In my personal home, a 16th-century Saint Peter in an original Peruvian wood frame is opposite two Günther Förg black-and-white lithographs in wood gallery frames. There simply are no rules."

Symmetry Not Required

While it might be tempting to keep a certain symmetry when hanging your art, Berkus stresses that sometimes, the opposite is what ends up looking best. "People think that everything has to be symmetrical," he says. "They are obsessed with the idea that everything has to be balanced—which is not always the case."

On the other hand, if you are interested in feng shui principles, symmetry is important to maintaining balanced energy in your space. However, most feng shui consultants, as well as Berkus, advise finding what works best for you.

Don't Default to a Gallery Wall

When dealing with a large blank wall, it can be tempting to go for a gallery wall—smaller frames are less expensive after all—but Berkus suggests that it's entirely situational and that people shouldn't shy away from large-scale art: "A gallery wall is more personal and allows a greater opportunity to tell the story," he says. "Large-scale art, when well-chosen, can be a fantastic investment. It can create a constant focal point for a room and can be moved around to different spaces as you move." However, if a gallery wall is your jam, there are several ways to hang one, like arranging your artwork to frame furniture.

Do Hang Art in Unexpected Places

We all have space we default to when hanging art, such as behind the bed, behind the sofa, above the mantel. Instead, Berkus prefers to focus on unexpected places to hang his art. "Hanging things in your home is a deeply personal exercise, almost as personal as what color to paint the walls," he says. "I've always loved the impact of hanging something unexpected in places that are often overlooked. I've always been more comfortable having less, and better things than more." Some of his favorite places to hang art include powder rooms, the end of a long hallway, the inside of a stairwell, or the wall at the top or bottom of a stairwell. "It's the idea of turning a corner and seeing something unexpected."

Don't Skimp on Framing

Without a doubt, the designer's best trick for elevating your artwork and making it look more expensive is custom framing. "Companies like Framebridge have offerings that feel elegant and will instantly elevate any kind of art," he says. When it comes to framing his art, Berkus leans toward a mix of natural wood and classic gallery white frames.

Framebridge Ash Wood Wide Frame $185.00

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Go Beyond the Living Room Walls

For more ideas, consider the bookshelf, bathroom, even the floor as alternative ways to display art in your home. Leaning art is the perfect cool-girl way to display art around the home.

Set the Scene

Create a vignette with a mix of personal and vintage objects, from candleholders to your favorite crystals, plants, and light fixtures to complete the look.

To Mat or Not to Mat

As for the mats, Berkus says they're entirely situational. "Sometimes a mat can lend importance to something that otherwise wouldn't have a large impact." Play around with a few options before landing on your perfect frame.