Picture Hanging Tips For The Home Decorator

by Essence Interiors

There are a few rules to observe when trying to hang art in your home and it is surprising how many people always get this decorating task very wrong! I see it all the time when I go to people’s homes and it can be avoided if you follow these 5 tips:

TOP 5 TIPS FOR PICTURE & ART  HANGING IN HOME DECORATING

TIP 1: Big walls demand big pictures or a series, a triptych, or a grouping;  small walls are for smaller pictures

TIP 2: Try to keep all the frames in one are the same material eg all timber or all black frames.

TIP 3: Get the centre of the main picture or the ‘group’ to be at your eye height when hung , not above and not below.

TIP 4: If the frames are all different, try to group them in an organic and mixed way rather that in straight lines

TIP 5: Take note of colour and subject and try to make pictures ‘relate’ when they are placed near each other.

Other advice:

  • There are no rules that you must line up the top of frames with the top of door or window frames! Don’t do it!
  • You don’t have to centre a picture on a wall either if it means it looks better there.
  • Frames that are the same size and shape should always be spaced apart equally in a line, or in a four square.
  • You can use a big sheet of butchers paper to first plan out how a group of paintings will look- draw on the frame shapes and
  • hold up the paper plan to see if it works.
  • There is no rule about hanging a frameless ‘canvas’ next to a framed print.
  • Always buy original Art if you can afford it and keep the artist’s name and profile safe – for when they get famous!!
  • Protect Canvas photos and paintings from fading in the direct sun.
  • Use your imagination and use plates, dresses, tea towels, coasters you’ve collected or your favourite movie poster as art.
  • Frame your Art by choosing a frame with a Mat card and do it yourself- its much cheaper!
  • If the object is thick or is 3-d ( like shells or something that sticks out) you will need a ‘box frame”.
  • Memorabilia is valuable and you should consider professional framing for your teams footy jersey.
  • Family photos look great going up in an angle along a stairwell wall and try to keep them all the same ( eg all black