Ten Do's and Don'ts
of Picture Hanging
To help you get the “hang” of
artful arranging, the following are some positive pointers
on picture grouping. REMEMBER! Your front door talks
about you to everyone who passes by... your walls gossip
about you to all your friends. Walls are the largest
single feature in any room! Be sure yours make a positive
statement by careful selection of your artwork, framing
and hanging!
- COMPOSITION is the key.
Consider your grouping as a single unit. LINE, BALANCE,
RHYTHM and SCALE.
- First, work out an attractive
arrangement on the floor. Remembering to measure
out the entire amount of wall space you have to work
in. Trace an outline of each picture on paper and
use these as guides for placement on the walls. This
will eliminate unnecessary nailholes. (Newspaper,
freezer paper, brown craft paper).
- The eye craves order,
so remember your practical geometry. Hang pictures
so that they form at least one horizontal, and one
vertical line. (With the exception of a round grouping.)
- Your arrangement should
hang-together, literally. Too much space between
pictures disrupts the graphic effect. (Use your hand
width as a good spacing between pieces.)
- Remember, not only size,
but color and textures will affect the balance. Always
integrate groupings for balance by keeping the weight
of your composition well distributed.
- Add Rhythm by combining
large and small squares, rectangles and circles,
but mingle the various shapes and sizes throughout
to add visual interest.
- Permanent accessories
such as lamps, are important to remember, so include
them into your plan.
- Correct scale is such
a common factor in decorating that we are not aware
of it until it is absent. Sizes of objects used together.
Standing a pony beside an elephant will make the
pony look smaller or the elephant look larger… tiny
pictures over a large overstuffed sofa or vice versa
is incorrect.
- Stair-stepping pictures
is a no-no unless hanging them on a stairway wall.
- How HIGH or How LOW????
Remember, everyone’s “eye-level” is
different. The Rule to remember is: No more than
6 to 8 inches above a piece of furniture or at average
eye level if not above furniture.
You
can view other free framing articles and tips
for arranging artwork at the photograph's website.
The artist offers free screensavers along with
affordable prices for beautiful pictures. Mr.
McNulty’s web site www.premierphotographer.com offers
some of the finest fine art photography available
online. You can reach Pat McNulty at 610-395-1834
or via e-mail at webmaster@premierphotographer.com
Take
a look at www.premierphotographer.com for
several other free articles on framing and arranging
artwork, along with free decorating articles.
“ Happy
Hanging”
|
FREE decorating articles.