Claudia Jacobs – Tips on Hanging Wall Art
Jan 17th, 2012 | By Claudia Jacobs | Category: LifestyleHow to hang wall art
Scale and proportion are important when hanging wall art. The piece should relate to your space and furnishings. Oversized art will look strange hanging over a small table just as a small piece will look silly floating over a large sofa.
Relate Art to Wall Size
Choose smaller pictures for narrow walls and larger works for big wall spaces. If the piece is not hanging over anything, a rule of thumb is 55”-60” from floor to center of art.
Relate Art to Furniture Size
When hanging art over a piece of furniture it should not be longer than the width of the furniture. The artwork should generally be 50 – 75% of the furniture’s width. If you’re hanging frames over a piece of furniture, six to eight inches above the piece is a good place to start. If you are doing a grouping, start from the bottom and work your way up.
Create a Gallery
Line a hallway with frames to create a gallery feel and create interest in an otherwise functional space. This is a great place to gather all your personal and family photos.
Grouping Tips
A grouping of pictures should be thought of as one unit. Test an arrangement of pictures by laying everything out on a large table (or on the floor), playing with combinations until you find one that works. Lay them out on paper and trace around each object and determine where picture hangers should be installed. Tape the paper up on the wall as a template for picture hangers.
Pictures stacked vertically will fill space on a narrow wall. Do not allow too much space between pictures. No more than a mat or palm size wide between each piece in a group.
Do not obstruct the view of the grouping with accessories or lamps. You can incorporate these items into the grouping. Do not stretch out the artwork to fill the space. Focus on individual areas instead.
Have a decorating question? Send it to Claudia.
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Claudia Jacobs is a decorator, professional stager, columnist, mom, friend & not in that order. Living life with joy & owner of Claudia Jacobs Designs in Goshen, NY. Voted 2011 RESA Professional Stager of the Year in the Northeast. Claudia can be seen each Tuesday on Hudson Valley Insider. Visit www.claudiajacobsdesigns.com or call 845-294-8993. Send questions and photos to info@claudiajacobsdesigns.com. Follow her on Facebook & Twitter.
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