7 Mistakes You’re Making with Small Art Prints (and How to Fix Them)

Hey there, art lovers! 🎨 It’s Missy here. Isn’t there just something so joyful about finding that perfect little piece of art? You know the one, it speaks to your soul, makes you smile every time you walk past it, and feels like a tiny window into a happier world. Small art prints, especially those sweet 5×7 watercolor animal prints, are like little concentrated bursts of happiness for your home.

But here is the thing: because they are small, they often get treated as an afterthought. I see it all the time! People get a beautiful new print, maybe it’s a surprise gift from a friend or a treat they picked up for themselves, and then they accidentally do them a disservice by not displaying them quite right.

I want your home to feel like a curated gallery of things you love. Whether you’re just starting your collection with my Monthly Animal Print Club or you’ve been hoarding (oops, I mean “collecting”) art for years, I want to help you avoid the most common pitfalls. Let’s dive into the seven biggest mistakes people make with small art prints and, more importantly, how you can fix them to create a space that feels cozy and intentional! 🐾

1. The “Tiny Frame” Trap

One of the most common things I see is someone putting a 5×7 print into a frame that is exactly 5×7 with no border. While this isn’t “wrong,” it can sometimes make the art feel a bit insignificant, especially if it’s sitting on a large desk or hanging on a wide wall.

The Fix: Give your art some room to breathe! 🌬️ Instead of a 5×7 frame, try an 8×10 or even an 11×14 frame. By choosing a larger frame, you give the print a “stage” to stand on. This instantly makes a small print look more expensive and substantial. It transforms a “cute little picture” into a “piece of fine art.”

2. Skipping the Mat

This goes hand-in-hand with the framing size. When you put a print directly against the glass in a small frame, you lose that “custom” look. Mats provide a visual break between the frame and the artwork, which helps draw the eye toward the center: where the magic is!

The Fix: Always, always use a mat! A white or off-white mat creates a professional, high-end look. If you have a print like Shelly the Turtle, a nice crisp white mat will make those watercolor blues and greens pop like crazy. It adds depth and prevents the art from looking flat. Plus, it protects the print by keeping it from touching the glass directly! 🖼️

3. The “Lone Ranger” on a Giant Wall

Have you ever walked into a room and seen one tiny 5×7 print hanging all by itself in the middle of a massive living room wall? It looks a little bit lonely, doesn’t it? 🥺 Small prints lack the “visual weight” to carry a large wall on their own.

The Fix: Group them up! Small prints are social creatures: they love friends. If you have a large space, create a gallery wall. You can mix and match different animals. Imagine Cubbie the Otter hanging out near Dave the SeaLion. When you group them together, they create a larger “anchor” for the room.

If you aren’t sure where to start, our Monthly Animal Print Club is the perfect solution. For just $10 a month, you get a brand-new, exclusive 5×7 print delivered to your door. In just a few months, you’ll have a whole family of animals ready to take over that big wall! 🐢🦦🦁

4. Hanging Them Way Too High

This is a mistake that happens with art of all sizes, but it’s especially noticeable with small prints. People tend to hang art way too high, near the ceiling. If you have to crane your neck to see Shelly the Turtle, she’s too high up!

The Fix: Follow the “Eye Level” rule. Generally, the center of your artwork should be about 57 to 60 inches from the floor. For small prints, you can even go a little lower if they are placed over a desk or a side table. You want to be able to appreciate the fine watercolor details without a ladder. 🪜 Keep it intimate!

5. Forgetting About Desktop Displays

We often get so caught up in “wall art” that we forget small prints are perfect for surfaces. If you only think about your walls, you’re missing out on so many opportunities to add a little surprise and delight to your daily routine.

The Fix: Use easels or weighted frames for your shelves, nightstands, and desks. A 5×7 print is the ideal size to tuck into a bookshelf next to your favorite novels or to sit on your vanity. I love seeing my watercolor animal prints tucked into a kitchen nook or a bathroom counter. It brings a touch of nature into the most unexpected places. 🌿

6. Ignoring the Texture and Quality

In a world of mass-produced, pixelated posters, the beauty of a real watercolor print is in the details. A big mistake is settling for “fuzzy” prints or low-quality paper that doesn’t capture the artist’s original intent.

The Fix: Look for prints that honor the original medium. My prints are created with love and care to ensure the “bleeding” of the watercolors and the texture of the paper come through perfectly. When you see the mane on the Exclusive 5×7 Watercolor Lion Print, you should almost be able to feel the brushstrokes. 🎨

7. The “Rigid Grid” Syndrome

When people start a gallery wall of small prints, they often feel they have to make a perfect, symmetrical grid. While grids can look nice, they can also feel a bit stiff and formal. If your style is more casual and friendly, a rigid grid might not be the best fit.

The Fix: Go organic! Mix your 5×7 prints with other sizes, or even different objects like a small wooden carving or a clock. You can also stagger them. Place one slightly higher, one slightly lower. This creates “movement” and makes the wall feel more like a personal collection and less like a retail display. It gives your space a “collected over time” vibe that is so much more inviting. 🏠

Start Your Collection the Easy Way! 💌

If you’re looking at your empty walls and feeling a little overwhelmed, I have the perfect gift for you (or for yourself!). Starting an art collection doesn’t have to be expensive or intimidating.

The Monthly Animal Print Club was designed specifically to help you build a joyful, high-quality collection of art one month at a time. Here is what you get for just $10 a month:

• 🎨 An Exclusive 5×7 Print: Every month features a brand-new watercolor animal illustration that you won’t find anywhere else.
• ✨ Matching Vinyl Sticker: You get a high-quality sticker of that month’s animal: perfect for your laptop or water bottle!
• 💌 Themed Greeting Card: A coordinating card and envelope so you can share the love with a friend.
• 📦 Free Shipping: It shows up in your mailbox like a little monthly hug.

Imagine the excitement of checking your mail and finding a new friend like the Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo or the Playful Chimpanzee waiting for you. It’s the easiest way to ensure you always have fresh, beautiful art to decorate your home with (and you’ll have plenty of friends for Shelly the Turtle to hang out with!).

Wrapping It Up

Decorating with small art prints should be fun, not stressful. By avoiding these seven mistakes: like hanging things too high or skipping the mat: you can turn a simple 5×7 print into a stunning focal point in your home.

Remember, your home is a reflection of you. Fill it with things that make you happy, whether it’s a regal lion, a curious rabbit, or a tiny pygmy hippo. Art is meant to be enjoyed, and small prints are the perfect way to sprinkle a little extra joy into every corner of your life.

Ready to start your gallery wall? Come join us in the club! I can’t wait to send you your first print. 🐾✨

Click here to join the Monthly Animal Print Club for just $10!

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