Chances are you’ve noticed the tacked up pictures of Pre-K-Fed Britney don’t do wonders for your wall, nor your dating life.  You might also haven noticed the crooked NCAA bracket from 2003 isn’t as attractive as you once thought it was.  Or, you might notice that you’re place feels kind of boring as all your wall decorations are in direct relation to whatever is on top of that sofa you have against the wall.     

The Solution
There’s pretty much two ways to get Artwork for your pad. Number 1, hit up a local art/decor store, and spend out the ass to buy the ‘fancy’ stuff, or two go to Wal-Mart, frame shit yourself, and pick and choose your art.  I’ve always chosen option two.  (For now…) 

Frame & Framing
Frame EVERYTHING.  In college, I bough $1 8×10.5 frames, and used them all.  Print off pictures from internet, photo collages, I even framed a copy of my scholarship award.  I’m here to tell you, nobody really cares whats in that frame, only how the overall frame looks on the wall.  Other options, buy the 24×36 poster frames from Wal-Mart for $15 a piece.  Better yet, if your picture/art is too small for the 24×36, pick up a piece of fabric from the sewing area and use that as a backdrop to center your art on top of. 

Art
Unless you’re Steve Wynn, you can’t afford really nice artwork - and if you can you probably don’t waste your time reading my blog.  Regardless, you need to figure out what YOU like first. 

A great first start is to think of all the movies/TV-shows you like, and search those.  Chances are somebody with a lot more time and creativity than you made something you can frame and hang. Do searches on DeviantArt.com, AllPosters.com, Images.Google.com, LAPopArt.com, eBay.com or whatever, and see what you can find. 

Be Tasteful
The key, is to find stuff you like that would be generally UNDERSTANDABLE by anyone from your Mom, to Mother Theresa.  It doesn’t have to be acceptable to them, just understandable.  I.e. If you can explain why you like the piece, without using ‘Great Tits / Hot Ass,’ or starting your argument with the word ‘Dude…,’ you’ve probably found something that works for you. 

Spacing & Wallspace
Do note, that just because you’re on this art kick, doesn’t mean you need to cover every square inch of wall with pictures.   Space out your art according to wallsize and how much stuff you have to frame.  4″ is generally a good sized space, however don’t be afraid to get a bit crazy and use bigger/smaller gaps. Even moreso, don’t feel the need to absolutely hang everything.  Have some art gently leaned up against the wall, as if you were about to hang it.  That works too.  (Especially if you have green nearby…  see future article on plants & greenery.)