Choosing the Right Wall for Your Olshbau Piece - Olshbau

Choosing the Right Wall for Your Olshbau Piece

Bold shapes, vivid colors, architectural shadows. An Olshbau piece isn’t just wall art—it’s a sculptural statement. But placing it on the wrong wall can mute its power. To let your art breathe, shine, and transform the room, choosing the right wall is key. Here’s how to get it right.

1. 

Look for Breathing Space

Olshbau pieces—crafted from layered paper, plywood, and painted in bold Bauhaus-inspired palettes—need visual breathing room. Avoid overcrowded walls. Instead, choose:

  • Clean, open spaces free from heavy shelves or competing artwork
  • Walls with negative space around them to frame the piece naturally
  • Corners where shadows can play off the dimensional layers
“Art is the elimination of the unnecessary.” - Pablo Picasso
Let your wall do exactly that.

 

2. 

Mind the Light (and the Shadow)

 

Our 3D wall art thrives on light interplay. Shadows aren’t a side effect—they’re part of the composition. To enhance this:

  • Use walls that receive indirect daylight—south or east-facing work well
  • Avoid harsh direct sunlight, which may fade acrylics or warp materials over years
  • Install a spotlight or directional LED above the piece for dramatic evening display

If you’re installing in a hallway or darker space, consider motion-triggered gallery lighting.

3. 

Choose Contrast, Not Camouflage

Our most popular Olshbau works feature bold primaries—deep reds, vibrant yellows, ultramarine blues. Against beige walls, they pop. But against similar hues, they fade.

Best background wall colors:

  • Matte white
  • Soft greys
  • Charcoal
  • Muted pastels

Avoid: overly warm tones (mustards, brick red) unless they sharply contrast your specific piece.

Quick tip: Take a photo of your wall, desaturate it in your phone editor, and overlay your Olshbau piece to preview contrast in grayscale.

 

4. 

Think Like a Curator: Eye Level, Anchor, Balance

 

Museum-style placement elevates your art. Here’s the formula:

  • Center at 145–155 cm (eye level) from the floor
  • Anchor the piece with furniture width: it should not exceed 2/3 the width of nearby furniture
  • If hanging multiple Olshbau pieces, treat them as a grid or cluster, spaced evenly (5–8 cm apart)
  • Avoid placing art too high—it feels disconnected. Let it be part of the room, not hovering above it.

5. 

Where Not to Hang It

As much as we love seeing Olshbau pieces everywhere, avoid locations that may damage them:

  • Above heat sources (radiators, stoves) – warping risk
  • In humid bathrooms – unless well-ventilated and water never contacts the piece
  • On textured surfaces – uneven walls can interfere with installation and shadow play

Bonus: Ideal Rooms for Olshbau Art

  • Living rooms: Feature walls above mid-century sideboards or minimalist sofas
  • Home offices: Behind your desk as a creative signal
  • Entryways: Startle and delight from the first step in
  • Hallways: A series of 20x20s can guide the eye like a visual rhythm

 

 

Final Thought

An Olshbau piece is more than decor—it’s a conversation between geometry, color, and light. The right wall doesn’t compete—it amplifies. When chosen with care, your wall transforms into a canvas, and your Olshbau piece becomes the signature.

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