Summary:
Choosing between portrait and landscape photo prints involves considering factors like the type of art, visual uniformity, available wall space, and mock-up room designs. Portrait prints suit square décor, while landscape fits rectangular spaces. Seek professional advice for a cohesive aesthetic and avoid cluttering your space. Contact an art specialist for personalized guidance.
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Finding the right piece of art for your home or business can be a challenge. A lot of thought can go into décor choices, and you need to make sure there’s a visual flow. That begins with choosing between portrait vs landscape printing.
How do you decide which orientation will best suit your space and provide a sense of harmony that contributes to your overall interior design?
In this guide, we’ll explore the differences between portrait vs landscape printing to help you make the right choice for your space. Continue reading to learn how professional designers make aesthetic decisions for homes and businesses.
Landscape vs Portrait Orientation: What’s the Difference?
In essence, portrait orientation refers to photos printed vertically, while landscape orientation refers to photos printed horizontally. Portrait prints are taller than they are wide. Landscape prints are wider than they are tall.
The Type of Art
Portrait vs landscape photography prints typically focus on different subjects and depictions. Often, the subject demands to be printed in one orientation or the other. Having a specific idea in mind of what you want to hang up is great, but be aware that it can affect the print’s dimensions.
For example, you won’t find many sweeping landscapes on a portrait print’s dimensions because the size doesn’t allow for the look. Likewise, a print of a majestic skyscraper would look small and unimpressive in landscape orientation.
Because it deals with long wingspans, aviation art photography, for example, usually comes in landscape format. Thus, it’s critical that you know what you want and acknowledge the print format it typically comes in.
The photographer may even have a preference for print orientation based on the depiction. When purchasing a print, be sure to ask about the artist’s intentions and recommendations. It’s the best way to ensure you are displaying your stunning fine art print the way it is meant to be seen and appreciated.
Have Some Visual Uniformity
Visual uniformity refers to creating a cohesive look and feel within your space. To achieve this, you’ll want to account for the room’s overall dimensions and geometry. Complimenting the extant geometry with either portrait or landscape orientation is key to creating a sense of flow and visual harmony.
Ideally, you should be aware of the general shapes in the room. Consider long tables, rectangular furniture, fireplaces, windows, etc.
If you have more rectangular furniture, then landscape pieces may be your best pick, as they follow the geometry. If your décor tends to be square, portraits are ideal to keep that flow.
Following the geometry is key, and deviating from that can create some aesthetic dissonance.
The Wall Space Available
Along with geometry, you also need to observe the available wall space.
Begin by considering other decorations already established in your space. There are times when it can be difficult to move around your current décor to fit new art pieces. In such cases, it may be easier to find a piece that already fits without renovating. That makes the portrait vs landscape photography debate simple to solve.
You don’t only need to worry about what’s on the wall, however. You should also note what’s directly in front of the wall. It’s not ideal to have something obscuring your art. Existing pieces can hide your pieces and make the room feel cluttered.
Aim to give each element in the space some room to breathe, as negative space also contributes to a room’s overall aesthetic.
Mock-Up Room Designs
It can be difficult to mentally visualize something as complex as adding fine art prints to a room. To make the best decisions possible before you commit, it’s often a good idea to seek the help of a designer. These talented fine art professionals can create a mock-up of your existing wall.
A professional mock-up will allow you to see with your own eyes how your landscape or portrait will fit into the space. This method saves you some time and means you won’t have any bad surprises when you finally hang up your art. When you see the space rendered to scale, the choice between landscape vs portrait printing becomes easy and intuitive.
Consider All Aspects
Having some tips for choosing a portrait or landscape photo print takes more effort than you may think at first. Still, it’s necessary to go through all the above factors. You don’t want to end up with a room with an art piece that seems out of place.
Make decisions slowly and carefully. You’ll appreciate it in the end when you have a room that comes together aesthetically.
If you’re ready to add a new fine art print to your home, consider speaking with a LIK Fine Art Consultant. Our professionals bring deep expertise related to both interior design and the photography of Peter Lik. Not only will they help you choose prints to match your persona, but they can also help you resolve the portrait vs landscape printing debate. As a result, your home or workplace will reflect your ideal vision while maintaining a sense of visual flow.
