How to Store Art | Expert Tips

Art carries a value that’s more than just monetary. Often, art means something special and unspoken to us. That’s precisely why it’s rarely something to be disposed of. However, there comes a time in the life of every homeowner, where the clutter just gets too much! In those situations, something has to give. Sometimes, that’s surplus art. If you’ve made the decision to put some of your art into storage, you might be wondering how to do so. The first step is always finding a reputable storage facility. But after that, it’s important to make sure your art is prepared for its stay in storage. Here are some tips on how to do so.

Storing acrylic paintings requires a special approach – here’s how we do it

Acrylic paint has some pretty interesting properties. In some regards, it’s actually quite durable in the long run. But in other regards, it can be a little fragile. Most notably, acrylic paint does not roll. That means you’ll have to store your acrylic artwork in its frame. Another important thing to note in terms of acrylic paintings is mould. Mould is the bane of all artwork, and prevention is better than a cure. However, unlike some other artworks, acrylic paintings don’t respond well to anti-mould treatments. For that reason, it’s important to pay attention to humidity. Mould thrives in humid conditions. So, a good climate controlled storage facility is your best bet for storing acrylic art.

How to store canvas prints – and how not to!

Canvas is a relatively robust product, that generally has few problems in long term storage. Probably the most important things to be aware of all relate to physical placement. For starters, it’s important to store canvas prints upright. Try to avoid storing them on their sides, as the frames aren’t built to sustain such positioning for long periods. Secondly, you should store numerous canvas prints back to back. That will keep the frames from leaving an imprint on the face of the other artwork. If that’s not possible, storing them face to face is the next best option.

Watercolour paintings are among the more delicate – here’s how to store them long term

Watercolour paintings are some of the hardest items of art to store. That’s largely due to the delicacy of the image itself. Even the slightest discolouration in a watercolour painting can become obvious quite quickly. To keep such discolouration from occurring, we recommend a delicate wrap. Normally a natural fibre, such as soft cotton cloth, is the best product for the job. Alternatively, you can use bubble wrap. However, we find natural fibres to be preferable, as they allow the surface of the artwork to breathe.

Drawing are particularly susceptible to fade – how to store them is a matter of avoiding light

Storing drawings is all about preventing fade. Unlike paintings, drawings feature pretty durable pigments. Ink and graphite last pretty well, irrespective of climate conditions. At least, they do compared to some other paints! However, direct light or high temperatures cause them to fade. In the worst of cases, that fade can render the images almost imperceptible. So if you’re storing drawings, make sure they’re in a cool, dark place!

Remember, different art stores differently; if you’ve got any questions on how to store yours, ask the pros

The most important take away, when it comes to how to store art, is that different items of art store differently. Usually, it’s a matter of storing your art according to the pigment it employs. But sometimes, the other products, such as the surface, require their own little tricks as well. With a good storage unit, though, you’ll find yourself free from issues!

For more useful storage tips, get in touch with the experts at More Space today on 07 5594 9739 (Molendinar) or (07) 5598 3355 (Currumbin).