The Perfect Way to Hang Tapestries in Your Home
A tapestry is a marvelous work of art that can easily become the stand out item in your home. You do have to consider a few things when deciding which tapestry to purchase and how to affix it to your wall.
Too big of a tapestry in a small face will overwhelm a room; a tiny stretched tapestry on a huge wall can look lost. By taking a little time to figure out exactly what effect you want, you can save yourself a deal of trouble.
Evaluate Your Space
Your first step should be to look at the room you want to house your tapestry in and evaluate what type of tapestry would suit it best and where it should go. If you have a room with many doorways and not much open wall space, a vertical tapestry may work best.
A long hallway could benefit from a series of small tapestries, and a kitchenette could feature a long horizontal piece displayed high on the wall.
A huge room with a blank wall such as a bedroom or a den could accommodate a larger tapestry; this could either serve as a background for a bestead or couch or face it depending on the layout. An accent wall is also a great place for a larger tapestry - you can choose a contrasting paint color for a background to make your chosen artwork pop.
Measure twice, buy once. Allow for space around the tapestry for a balanced look. Nothing is worse than excitedly bringing a new acquisition home and finding out it is a foot too wide. If you are in doubt as to what would look best, pin up a contrasting sheet and figure out what the right shape and size would be for your space.
Hanging It Up
There are several different ways of hanging your tapestry once you have found the perfect one. The most traditional way to hang large tapestries is with a rod - most modern tapestries are woven with a pocket designed to hold the top edge flat and to distribute the weight evenly.
The larger and heavier the tapestry the stronger the rod needs to be, so a hefty drapery rod with sturdy mounting brackets is preferred fro many tapestry applications.
Simply slide the tapestry onto the rod, center it, and measure as close as possible to the exit point on either end for the brackets. Use a level to get a straight line on the wall so your tapestry will hang plumb.
Affix the brackets according to your measurement, then hang the rod. Your brackets should hold the rod right where it exits the tapestry pocket on both sides. Screw on finials and your tapestry will be mounted properly. Tapestries hung this way appear to float against the wall.
Another approach recommended by some manufacturers advises sewing a strip of wide Velcro along the leading edge of the tapestry, then stapling the mated strip to a sturdy board. The board should be painted to reduce chemical interaction with the tapestry, and no glue should be used for the same reason.
The board can be mounted to the wall and the tapestry attached via Velcro. This works best for medium sized tapestries that are not excessively heavy, and prevents sagging and rumpling.
Small tapestries can be framed or stretched or even placed in a shadow type box for a magical effect. Many people keep older tapestries under glass, as sunlight can cause fading and damage. Tapestries should also be checked regularly for signs of insect damage.
Tapestry Styles
The type of tapestry you decide on will reflect your own personal taste and individuality. Often tapestries are bought to fit into an existing house, but occasionally you have the opportunity to build a room around one focal point. This is when you can get creative, and let your inner spirit take over.
A rich Renaissance tapestry sets the mood for a luxurious room full of rich brocades and tasseled pillows. A bold Native American design makes a southwestern ranch house crackle with style. Oriental themes go well with modernistic apartments, and Celtic designs can spruce up a library or study.
With all of the choices available today, from local home interior shops to online decorator havens, you can rest assured there is the perfect tapestry out there especially for you. Just consider all of your options before purchasing your very own! With luck, the one you select will become a family heirloom and you will be able to pass it down to future generations.
Angela Dawson-Field writes extensively on home decor and tapestry & textile art. She divides her time between family and The Tapestry House
