Design Details Article
The Art of Hanging Art
Many home decorators are perplexed as to how high a picture should be hung,
how to arrange pictures in a grouping or simply what goes where. Following
are some simple guidelines to help you make the most of your art.
- Artwork should be hung so that the center point of the picture or grouping
is about eye level for the average person.
- Connect art to the furniture so that it is not floating. Do not leave more
than 6 to 9 inches of wall space between and keep the art about 2/3 to ¾
of the width of the furniture over which it hangs.
- Relate Art to Wall Size. Choose smaller pictures for narrow walls and larger
works for big spaces. Smaller pictures can also be grouped for greater impact
on larger walls.
- Bigger is often better. One large painting makes a statement and keeps things
simple and is a great way to call attention to the focal point of the room
such as a fireplace mantle.
- Hang art symmetrically for a formal feel and asymmetrically for a more casual
look.
- Stack art to add the illusion of height to a room.
- Contrast frame and mat color with the wall so that it stands out against the
background.
- Frames in a grouping do not have to match exactly but need to coordinate
well together
