We usually think of sculptures as reserved for museums, art galleries, and celebrity mansions, but sculptures of all sizes and styles are a welcome addition to any home. You can place a sculpture on a pedestal, shelf, table, or even suspend it from the ceiling. Sculptures are more interactive than a painting or photograph.

The way you display a sculpture is often just as important as the artwork itself. How and where you position your sculpture determines whether it will be a barely noticeable addition to your décor, a superfluous accessory, or a stylized complement to your room’s ambiance.

Find the Perfect Location

Sculptures should reside in a location where people can look at it from different sides. Find an area with unobstructed views for a large or medium-sized sculpture and consider using a pedestal. There are practical considerations as well. The placement of the sculpture should not interfere with walking or other activities, such as watching TV. Experiment with different arrangements before deciding on the best location.

If a sculpture is ten inches tall or smaller, you should place it on a table or shelf. Large sculptures look better in the center of a room or outside on a patio or in a garden.

Arrange a Group of Sculptures

Place sculpture groups according to a theme, era or type. You may use a few animal sculptures for a zoo theme, geometric shapes for a contemporary design, or historical theme.

It’s fine to use several unrelated sculptures for a bohemian mixed look, but the sculptures should catch the eye, not merely fill up space. The sculpture arrangement should complement the look of the immediate area. Consider how the pieces will add visual flair to the space before buying or arranging them.

Use Themes

Use Asian-inspired sculptures for an elegant look in your living room or bedroom. Add candles and vases to accent small figurines on a shelf or arrange large, paired sculptures in a foyer to give a hallway a commanding presence.

Cherub statuettes work well in a large bathroom or dressing area and can add levity and light to any space. They work well with votive candles, flower arrangements, or even small heart-shaped sculptures for a love or Valentine’s Day theme.

Small, animal or circus-themed add a touch of whimsy to a family room, and a spike sculpture gives any room an edgy, contemporary look.

Be Creative in Small Spaces

You can exhibit any size sculpture in your home or apartment by using your imagination. Put an abstract granite sculpture underneath a bench or use a shelving unit to display small themed pieces, like a collection of decanters. Place a bust on a floating shelf above a sofa or use a small sculpture as a faux “anchor” for coffee table books.

Although your living room is the most obvious place for a sculpture, a set of figurines on a pedestal or in a windowed cabinet will bring a pop of color to your dining room.

Shine a Light on Your Sculptures

Make sure to use the right amount of light on and around your sculptures. Daylight and diffused lighting from multiple sources will highlight the pieces without camouflaging their best features. A sculpture looks great when it is free from shadows, or when the shadow is subdued or gradual.

Place transparent sculptures on a lighted pedestal to emphasize their features. Avoid putting lights directly below a sculpture, as it will give the piece an eerie, “horror movie” glow. Don’t light the sculpture from behind, either, as it will make the artwork harder to see.

Choose the Right Pedestal

Small sculptures give pizzazz to shelves and tables, but large sculptures help draw attention to the middle of a room or break up the monotony in an otherwise neutral space. Pedestals should be a foil for the sculpture, not compete with it for the viewer’s attention.

Buy a base that’s strong enough to hold the sculpture without cracking. The total weight a pedestal can hold is usually included with the production description. Pedestals for large artwork shouldn’t jut out into a hallway or other walking path.

Ensure that the pedestal is wide enough so you can place the sculpture in the center. The base should also be tall enough so that a person of average height can see the artwork.

Use Wall and Ceiling Sculptures

Attach lightweight sculptures to your wall or ceiling to give your entryway or living room a striking visual effect. Wall sculptures are usually made of iron, metal or wood. They may canoe paddles, bicycle wheels, have an abstract design or consist of a set of animal sculptures. Wall sculptures have more depth than a painting and can add personality and color to a small space.

Place sculptural sconces to both sides of a painting to add light and balance the artwork.

Ceiling sculptures give the illusions of objects floating in the air. They can resemble the bright mobiles you hang in a baby’s crib or be a twist and turn wire sculpture. These floating sculptures work best in a living room or loft.

Turn Your Backyard into an Art Gallery

Your garden or backyard offers almost limitless ways to display sculptures. Classical sculptures, such as a torso, add elegance to any backyard, while a statue of a mythological creature creates an intriguing conversation piece.

If your kids spend a lot of time in the backyard, choose softer resin sculptures in the shape of an animal or toy. Contemporary metal sculptures (with or without a pedestal) break up the monotony of a large lawn or garden.