IS THE BATHROOM A BAD PLACE TO HANG MY PHOTOS?

Caring for your photos and other wall art

You can hang images anywhere, but sometimes there are better places than others, especially if you're wanting to keep that piece for decades to come. This article will give you a general overview of the problems and solutions.

Bathroom and other high humidity areas

Big swings in temperature and humidity will negatively affect your art—warping of the print or canvas, even mold. Think porches, basements, or even if you always have your windows open in the summer in humid climates.

I have some framed paper prints in my bathroom, and don't ask me how, but some hair managed to make its way inside the frame. It wasn't there before. And for long-term enjoyment, the bathroom is not the best the place for them—paper and moisture do not like each other, paper swells with the moisture, then often dries funny. (Ever spill something on a book's pages? Those pages are never flat again.) When I get tired of these prints, I won't be hanging a paper print again in my bathroom. Learn from my mistake.

Hawaiian Orchid

And if your room isn't that humid, I would feel fairly comfortable hanging a gallery wrap in a bathroom. Well ventilated is the key. If you commonly get mold in your bathroom or other room, I'd say avoid hanging paper prints or canvas. And just be aware that this isn't generally recommended. If I were selling you a canvas, I'd advise you of what can happen.

The key is just be aware of how humidity will affect your wall hanging. If you spent $5, you may not care. But if you've spent even over $50, if you're like me, you'd like to enjoy it for quite some time.

That wall that gets doused with direct sunshine

Well let's just say I wouldn't hang anything there. At least not on a long-term basis. If you do have direct sun hitting your wall, consider buying some sheer curtains to soften the light, or blinds where you can direct the light coming in. Direct sun fades and warps prints and canvas (the canvas is wrapped around a wood frame).

High heat areas

Whether it be a space heater, fireplace, or your home gets really really warm (think closed up vacation home where the weather gets up past 90 degrees on the outside, guaranteeing it's 100+ degrees inside), you'll want to be aware exposure over time will not benefit your artwork. Cracking, warping, fading. This is most relevent for paper prints and canvas.

Solutions

Yes there are solutions! The key is to know the pros and cons of the different ways art is presented. I'm referring to photography in this article, but some of this applies to other artwork, too.

• UV Glass or high quality Acrylic with a higher UV rating for framed prints: I think everyone is pretty much aware of what these are. You'll pay a little more than plain glass or basic acrylic, but it's worth it if you want to help prevent that fading and yellowing.
• UV protective coating for canvas gallery wraps: It's ok to ask the person you're buying from if there is a UV coating on the canvas. You can save money by not having it, but that would be the only plus. Personally, I want my customers to have the UV coating on their investment. The coating also helps protect the canvas from scratches, scuffs, and cracking.
• Metal Prints—waterproof, UV resistant, easy to clean: Metal prints are the safest bet. They won't warp, mold, and can be cleaned easily. They are also UV resistant. For those challenging climates or rooms with drastic temperature/humidity swings, this is the best solution.

three tulips images in a dining area

I hope this little summary has helped you. And like I said, don't be afraid to ask the artist about how their work is presented to you. Ask about the glass, the mounting, the canvas, etc. Some artists have a lot of pieces, so they may not be able to give you an answer on the spot. But let them get back to you after they've checked their inventory records. Then make your decision.

~Barb Kellogg, photographer, tea drinker, and dark chocolate lover hello@barbkelloggphotography.com