Filling a space with furniture? It’s fairly easy, once you’ve nailed down the key pieces. Filling blank walls? Not so much. Finding and arranging the perfect art pieces sometimes feels like an art form in and of itself — you have infinite styling possibilities. Do you go for one main large-scale focal point, or hang an assortment of smaller prints? And if the latter, should you stick to a specific color palette and frame finish, or cluster more mismatched designs together?
While I don’t have a magical one-size-fits-all art solution for every room, I do have an easy styling hack that eliminates the stress of curating a full collection and has small spaces covered.
Chicago-based brand Jayson Home recently launched a New York pop up inside Bergdorf Goodman — running through August 19 — filled with a mix of one-of-a-kind vintage pieces and modern new arrivals. While scoping out the space, I noticed a clever art arrangement that I’d never thought of before: displaying a series of small, individual cards in matching frames, all bordering one larger piece of art.
This creative vignette goes way beyond standard gallery walls, with an oversized abstract artwork outlined by about 25 mini floor-to-ceiling accents. Both work together to create the illusion of height while best maximizing wall space surrounding the mantel. What I love most about this look, though, is the effortless uniformity — the Jayson Home team simply mounted decorative tarot cards on white mats in the same aged-looking brown frames, and voilà. This can also be installed pretty much anywhere, no fireplace needed.
I can’t track down the exact designs pictured above, but Jayson Home does have an equally beautiful-looking set of playing cards by John Derian for just $12. Etsy carries a diverse mix of vintage styles, too, like this rare 19th century find. Know that this concept isn’t limited to just cards, though — you can frame a series of similar-sized postcards (I love these mini Vogue magazine covers) or meaningful letters, as well. Just make sure you have enough handy to fill out your desired wall spot.
As for frames, Michaels sells simple 3” by 4” designs with included mats for just $3 to easily buy in bulk. If you want more of an ornate look, check out these $10 gold styles from Etsy, too. The frames themselves will likely be the most expensive portion of this project, since you’ll need at least 10-20 depending on the size of the items you’re showcasing, so make sure you budget accordingly.
Once you’ve picked out your design scheme, consider positioning the framed art around the perimeter of your TV or a wall-mounted mirror. Or, you also don’t necessarily need one big centerpiece to anchor this setup, especially if you’re styling a tighter area. Simply hang up rows of these small identical frames vertically in between windows, horizontally above kitchen cabinets, or any other nook that might be too compact for a full-on gallery wall.
However you implement this styling method, it automatically adds an elevated, cohesive look to any nook or blank wall — with or without a dominant piece of art in the middle.
