May Day Refresh: Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Pet Portrait Display

Spring is in full swing, and that means it's time for some spring cleaning around your home. If you've invested in a custom pet portrait (or several!), now is the perfect time to refresh their display and make sure they're shown off to their best advantage.

1. Dust and Clean Your Portraits

Over time, dust can accumulate on the surface of your portraits, dulling their colors and detail. Use a soft, dry microfiber cloth to gently dust the surface. For framed pieces, you can also clean the glass with a standard glass cleaner applied to the cloth — never directly to the surface.

Pro tip: Never use water or cleaning solutions directly on an unframed canvas. For oil paintings, a very light dusting with a clean, dry brush is all you need.

2. Reassess Your Lighting

Spring brings different light angles and longer days. Take a look at where your portraits are hung:

• Are they getting direct sunlight that could cause fading over time?
• Is the lighting too dim to show off the detail and color?
• Would a dedicated picture light or warm-toned LED spotlight enhance the display?

Ideally, portraits should be lit with indirect, warm light — bright enough to see the detail, but not so harsh that it creates glare on the surface.

3. Rotate Your Display

If you have multiple portraits, consider rotating which ones are prominently displayed. This keeps your decor feeling fresh and gives each piece its moment in the spotlight. A portrait that's been in the hallway for two years might look completely new in the living room.

4. Update the Surrounding Decor

Spring is a great time to refresh the area around your portrait:

• Add fresh flowers or a plant nearby to complement the colors in the painting
• Update the frame matting for a seasonal pop of color
• Rearrange furniture to create a better viewing angle and focal point

5. Consider a New Location — or a Gallery Wall

Sometimes a portrait that was perfect in one spot would shine even brighter somewhere else. Consider moving it to a more frequently used room, or creating a gallery wall that groups multiple portraits together. A collection of pet portraits — especially across different styles — makes a stunning, personal statement.

Ready for a New Addition?

If spring cleaning has you in the mood for something new, why not commission a fresh portrait? Perhaps your pet has grown, changed, or you simply want to capture a different side of their personality — or a different art style.