Give Framed Artwork Better Clarity With An Easy Solution You Haven't Considered

It can be easy to make mistakes when hanging your artwork but location certainly matters. A framed photo might make an excellent mantle display, but if it's directly facing a window, it can make your space feel a bit too bright. Have you ever hung up a picture only to find it obscured by a blinding glare from your nearby windows and lights? The culprit for this effect is the glossy finish on your picture frames. This bright shine can make it hard for any homeowner to enjoy their wall art, leaving you in a jam outside of moving your pieces. But, with the simple trick of using a clear matte sealing spray like Krylon UV-resistant clear acrylic coating can be the perfect solution. With a clear matte finish, a coat of sealing spray paint gets rid of that unnecessary shine, allowing you to fully enjoy your art pieces.

If you're decorating a living room with large sun-filled windows or a bright and lively kitchen, you're likely to experience harsh sunlight that can reflect off your artwork. However, not all rooms in your home are the same, and some may benefit from a bit of glare. You may need to brighten up your darker rooms, like small hallways or those with a moodier aesthetic that can benefit from a bit of added sun. Understanding the lighting needs of your rooms can ensure that you employ this trick flawlessly.

Minimizing the glare on your framed artwork is surprisingly easy and only requires a few minutes of your time. Start by removing the glass from your frame and giving it a good cleaning. You want to get rid of any dust or fingerprints, as these will be sealed into your artwork when you spray it. Let your piece of glass dry before continuing. In a well-ventilated space, place your glass on a protective surface. Shake your can and spray an even, well-distributed coat of your clear matte finish on the glass. Allow it to dry completely before you apply a second coat — if necessary. Pop your glass back into your frame and marvel at your new, glare-less artwork.

This hack isn't just limited to framed pieces. In fact, it works on a whole host of other types of glass that you may have scattered around your home. If the glare in your kitchen has been a consistent headache, try applying a matte finish on your cabinet windows. Mirrors can also be a source of harsh lighting in your home and can easily be dulled down with some clear sealant — just be sure to apply a thin coat so you don't completely reduce visibility. Why not try it on your glass coffee table to reduce the amount of glare in a sunny living room? The possibilities with this hack are truly endless, and it really comes down to achieving the perfect lighting for your space. If your lighting needs change, you can reverse the process with a bit of mineral spirits, returning a glossy finish to your surface.