Presents:

Hanging

Art

Tips

In general, artwork should be hung so that

the center point of the picture or

grouping is at about eye level for the average person.

While this won't be possible in every situation,

it's a good guideline to keep in mind.

Another technique to remember is that

a grouping of pictures should be

thought of as one unit.

Relate Art to Wall Size

Choose smaller pictures for narrow walls and larger works for

big wall spaces. Here a hall wall is accented by hanging a set

of six prints in a tall vertical arrangement. One or two larger

vertical pictures would have been another possibility for this

space.

Relate Art to Furniture Size

In general, when hanging

art over a piece of furniture

it should not be longer than

the width of the furniture.

The artwork shown in this

photograph relates to the

size of the table below it,

and keeps to a general

principle of being about

75% of the table's width.

Light Art Well

Illuminating artwork gives

it importance. The track

lighting in this hallway has

been added to banish the

dark hallway feel as well as

make the art collection that

much more dramatic.

Check Color

Choose artwork that

underscores the mood or

theme of your room's decor.

Vibrant colors bring

excitement to a room while

neutral colors are more

calming.

Bigger is often Better

One large painting makes a

statement and keeps things

simple. It can also call

attention to the focal point

of the room which is often

the fireplace.

Landscapes Open Up

Add the look of a "window" to a small or windowless area by hanging landscape art.

Landscape art is one good way to visually open up a smaller space. The view of a distant horizon acts as a sort of "window" giving the impression of a faraway vista.

Hanging Artwork with Horizontal or

Vertical Lines

The use of line is sometimes overlooked by home

decorators, yet proper use of line can set the

mood in a room.

Horizontal lines tend to elongate, widen, and emphasize a

casual decorating scheme.

Vertical lines however, tend to be more formal, add to the

illusion of height, and can seem more elegant and refined.

Horizontal Lines

Strong horizontal lines in

artwork, or in the way

artwork is framed or hung,

tend to be calming and can

give the illusion of width in

a narrow room.

Vertical Lines

Strong vertical lines -- in a picture, in a frame, or in the arrangement on the wall --add to the feeling of height in a room. The arrangement shown here is made even more dramatic by hanging the prints one above the other, furthering the

sense of height.

Hanging Artwork in Diagonal Lines

Add drama to an arrangement. Hanging artwork in diagonal

lines makes it appear more dramatic and exciting.

While artwork generally shouldn't be hung in offset

arrangements, it is a useful technique in a stairwell as the floor

levels change.

Diagonal Lines

Strong diagonal lines, either

within a picture itself or in a

line of pictures arranged on

the wall, add excitement to

the composition.

Hanging Art in Symmetrical Arrangements

Symmetry simply means

that when an arrangement is

divided in half, each half is

a mirror image of the other.

Symmetry adds balance and

formality to an arrangement

and is generally pleasing

and calming to the observer.

Make Small Pieces Appear Larger

One of these objects hung

on a large wall would

seem out of place, yet this

unusual grouping extends

each piece within an

arrangement that is a

more appropriate size for

the space.

Stick to Your Theme

Support your room theme

with art, repeating the

colors, motifs, and style of

the room's interior.

Hang Securely

Nothing ruins a carefully planned arrangement of art fasterthan if the pictures pull away from the wall because they weren't hung securely.

Hang pictures to securely attached picture hooks rated for the weight of the artwork or object. If in doubt about picture hardware or its installation, ask advice at the hardware store.

Evaluate the artwork in your own home. You may find

ways to accomplish an "art makeover" to

better showcase your artwork.

Good Luck!