If you’re a fan of art, have a collection of your own or if you’re someone who paints, storing your paintings should be more than wedging a piece in the attic. How to Store Paintings at Home: The Right Way to Storing Paintings at Home Properly storing paintings at home is necessary to protect paintings from damage from improper handling, environmental factors & time itself.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In this guide, we will address how to prepare your paintings for storage, pack your paintings for storage in the home, and store your paintings securely at home while maintaining their value and visual appeal.
The Logistics of Storing Paintings
It is important to prepare your paintings properly before you store them. Once you have your artwork prepared, this step prepares it for dust or debris or other existing damage that may further escalate during storage.
Cleaning the Surface
The first thing you will want to do is lightly clean the surface of your paintings to remove any dust or dirt that may have settled. Gentle, dry brushing with a soft brush or microfiber dirt cloth can help remove loose particles. For oil or acrylic paintings, do not use water or other cleaning solutions unless advised by a professional conservator. It can cause irreversible damage if the paint or canvas gets water-logged. For especially delicate or dirty surfaces, however, asking an art conservator for advice is the safest route.
Minor Repairs and Touch-Ups
If your painting is exhibiting any signs of minor deterioration, such as chipped paint or a loosened canvas, it’s important to make sure those issues are addressed before putting the piece into storage. Minor repairs — such as re-stretching the canvas or touching up chips — can help mitigate further injury while in storage. For deeper problems, such as tears or fungus, take and get professional help. Keep in mind that preservation is so much more cost-effective than restoration that it pays to treat a painting well from the start.
Deciding where to Store the Content
The nearest condition of your painting in the long run essentially depends what you are keeping your painting. Over the years, it has not seen light, so the wrong conditions can cause it to fade, warp, or rot.
Control of Humidity and Temperature
Paintings, particularly those rendered on linen or wood, are susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity. Generally, your storage space should have a consistent temperature of 60°F to 75°F and 40% to 55% humidity. Excess humidity in the atmosphere can create mold or result in canvas warping, and dry conditions can crack the paint.
Tip: If you’re stowing away paintings in less climate-controlled areas (like a basement or garage), a portable dehumidifier or hygrometer (a tool for measuring humidity, known as the most stable indoor environment) can help.
Light Exposure Considerations
Bright light — both natural daylight and artificial — is one of the major drivers of artwork fading. UV rays can make colors appear bleached out over time, and bright artificial lights can have the same effect over time as well. To prevent this from occurring, keep your paintings in a dark or dimly lit space. Consider using UV-filtering materials to protect artwork in spaces where people are exposed to light over long periods of time — or storage boxes that block light altogether.
Safe Packing Techniques
Proper packing of your paintings keeps them cushioned and they do not get bumped or scratched by other pieces of art or infection from environment. That’s especially important if you intend to keep them for long periods of time.
Using Acid-Free Materials
Use acid-free materials to pack your artwork. Ordinary paper or cardboard releases acid that can discolor or damage these items over time. Lay down acid-free tissue paper or glassine paper over the surface of the painting, then add more protective layers on top of that.
A framed painting, for instance, can be protected with archival-quality corner protectors, which rest against the edges without putting any direct pressure on the artwork.
Wraps and Cushioning Techniques
After your painting is wrapped in an acid-free product, add another layer of cushioning. Bubble wrap is a good way to prevent shocks from any impacts but ensure that the bubbles are outside to avoid leaving impressions on the painting. For added protection, slip the wrapped painting into a custom-cut cardboard box or rigid storage sleeve.
PRO TIP: When storing artwork, always try to keep it vertical instead of stacking. This method of keeping paintings upright lowers any risks of pressure-related distortions.
Long-Term Storage Solutions
If you expect to keep your paintings in storage for months or years, you will need a long-term solution that provides reliable and solid protection.
Air Conditioning Storage Units
If you own pieces with high value (both monetary and sentimental), one of the safest methods of secure step outdoors of the home environment is to invest in a temperature-controlled storage unit. These units allow for humidity and temperature control, preventing environmental elements from damaging the works you have on display. Most facilities also provide enhanced security, with surveillance cameras and limited access, so you will feel secure.
Home Storage Options
If you plan to keep your artwork in your residence, it is best to select a location that will comply with the recommendations outlined above. Closets, under-stair storage spaces or spare rooms are often good options because they can stay dark and climate-controlled.
When preparing your storage space, try to use shelving or rack systems so that your paintings are not sitting on the floor, this addresses minimizing exposure to temperature changes, and water damage in case of leaks or flooding.
Bonus Tip: If you have many paintings, maintain a catalog of the paintings you have in storage, including photos and notes about the condition of each painting. This also enables you to track where they are, because you always want to make sure that you are able to track their states through time.
How to Maintain the Value of Your Art Collection
Making it last is only half the battle — the other half is storing it properly. To genuinely retain the value and beauty of your collection:
- Check your painted canvases for damage as they age such as cracking or fading, or mold.
- Every few months, rotate paintings out of storage so they can “breathe” and do not get forgotten.
- Document any work done in terms of conservation or restoration on each work.
These simple steps can help ensure your paintings are preserved for enjoyment or investment in the future. Whether you’re keeping them temporarily or preserving them for future generations, taking care to look after your artwork is always worth the effort.
