At ILevel, we’re known for installing art with precision and style in homes and offices across New York City and beyond. But there’s another skill we’ve honed over the years—one that’s not listed on our website: negotiating wall space wars.
When couples—whether they’re spouses, roommates, siblings, or newly blended households—can’t agree on where a piece should go, our installers often find themselves playing the unexpected role of art placement referee. Art, after all, is personal. So is space. When the two collide, tensions can flare. Fortunately, we’re experts at finding middle ground.
Art, Emotions, and the Shared Wall
Take, for example, a couple in Park Slope. One partner had a beloved collection of posters; the other favored serene landscapes and felt the posters “shouted” in their minimalist living room. After some back and forth, our installer proposed a solution: a gallery wall in the hallway dedicated to the posters, curated with balance and breathing room. The living room, meanwhile, became a haven for quiet, tonal pieces they both appreciated. Both parties felt heard—and more importantly, at home.
Roommates and Aesthetic Clashes
Roommates present a different dynamic. We recently worked with two longtime friends sharing a loft. One loved maximalism—vintage concert posters, found art, bright color. The other was into sparse, Scandinavian design. The living room had become a blank wall of neutrality. We helped them “zone” the space visually—installing an energetic salon-style wall over one roommate’s reading nook, while keeping the central shared area cohesive and neutral. By reframing the issue as a layout challenge, we transformed tension into teamwork.
When Sentiment Meets Style
In another apartment, a newly married couple wanted to combine their respective art collections—but their tastes couldn’t have been more different. She had inherited a series of antique family portraits; he collected abstract photography. Rather than favoring one style, we helped them find conversation points between the two. We installed the portraits and photography in pairs, echoing frame shapes and color palettes so they spoke to one another. The result was a wall that told the story of their new life together, with space for both their histories.
How We Help
Our installers are trained in measuring, leveling, and safe hardware—but we also listen. We help each person articulate what they’re hoping to express through the art, and how they want to feel in their space. Then we work to find arrangements that honor both perspectives, often unlocking more creative solutions than either person expected.
Art placement isn’t just about eye lines and wall studs. It’s about people, memory, identity, and compromise. Sometimes, we bring the hammer. Sometimes, we bring the diplomacy. And often, we leave a room more harmonious than we found it.
So, whether you’re merging lives, decorating your first apartment together, or simply trying to decide whose art makes it to the hallway—know that at ILevel, we’re here not just to hang your art, but to help it bring you closer together.
Want to schedule an installation—or a little design peacekeeping? Contact us today.