The Do’s and Don’ts of Hanging Pictures
It’s an easy mix-up many dwellers make when decorating the walls of their homes. But hanging pictures strategically could awaken the artistic edge to a room more than many may think. It’s much more than eye-balling it. Just by following these three simple tips, you’ll be amazed to see how the pictures on your wall and the placement of them can really add pizzazz to your abode.
Tip 1: Size Matters
Photo Credit: JCL Staging & Design - 2nd picture photographed by @kevinvelozphoto
You love that photo of the kids or your furry friend, but it’s small and your wall is expansive. So, it’s not a match. Try to avoid choosing a large open wall to hang that small yet adorable snapshot. Instead, find a more appropriate space for that piece to ensure the massive wall space isn’t taking away from the picture. The rule of thumb is always to find a medium or large-sized photo for the wide-open wall space, and choose an intimate wall spacing for that small photo to really highlight it.
Tip 2: Seeing Eye-to-Eye
Illustration - David Wyffels
Oftentimes, people will equate the height of the wall with where they hang a picture. But did you know that hanging the picture at eye level is naturally more attractive? The center of the image should be at average eye level, 57”-60” from the floor. That goes for standing and sitting. So, let’s say you’re determining where to hang that artwork in your living room. Sit on your sofa and see where your eye naturally falls in alignment with the wall where you want to hang the frame in front of you. That’s where the artwork should be. So, in rooms like living rooms and dining rooms, the photos will generally be placed a little lower or about 8-10” above the piece of furniture; the art should be visually connected to it and not floating high above it.
Tip 3: It’s a Group Thing
Photo credit: Commons/Flickr/Josh Kesner - Kelley Bernier Designs
Let’s not go too wild when hanging multiple pictures on one wall. You can give the look of a wild photo ride without the placement running amuck. Think of it as one unit even if it’s several different photos. Start with the centerpiece and remember the simple tips we’ve already provided about not placing it too high or too low and considering the size of the photo against the size of the wall. Once you’ve got that centerpiece placed, you can strategically place other snapshots around it for an ideal esthetic making for flawless appeal.
Photo credit: Commons/Flickr/Josh Kesner - Park West Gallery
The other option would be to create a gallery wall with multiple smaller frames and photos to create a much bigger art piece. Lay the photos on the grown to find the perfect configuration, make sure the frames are not too far apart and the edges fall in line with each other to create a bigger frame.