Most of us have a few pieces of art tucked away, waiting for us to find them a proper home. Getting the right effect takes a bit of forethought. Consider balance, mood, color, groupings, and lighting. Oh, and then there’s the hanging itself. To simplify the process, here’s a quick guide to displaying and hanging your art.
Step 1: Have a Plan
Before you poke that first hole in your wall, audition your art posters in various spots. This trial and error process is key to proper placement. The center of your artwork should be at eye level or about 5’6”. Choose art with colors that complement wall color or furniture while considering balance, scale, and mood or theme.
Step 2: Create a Grouping
Hang posters of various sizes as one group - you instantly create a powerful focal point. Lay your grouping on the floor and view it as a single unit. Keep the area between the posters roughly equal. Odd numbered groupings create asymmetry while even numbers can lend balance. Scale is an important consideration for groupings. 18” x 24” and 12” x 16” prints tend to work well in a loft, hallway or stairwell, while smaller sizes of 5”x7” or 8”x10” work well in areas with less wall space or smaller rooms like kitchens or bathrooms.
Step 3: Seek Balance
Is one area too crowded and heavy while another is spare and lackluster? Keep the weight of your composition well-distributed and maintain a general sense of scale and balance. For example, a large horizontal print such as a landscape or panoramic usually works well over a sofa or other large furniture, while smaller prints add the perfect accent above a chair or end table.
Step 4: Take Action
To hang your art at your chosen height, measure how far from the top of the picture the hanging wire will hit when hanging on a nail. If the top of your picture should hang 72" from the floor, and the hanging wire hits 4” below, your nail will have to be 68" from the floor centered with your picture. (Use a light pencil mark on your wall!) Find your art inspiration here, to create a unique look.
Step 5: Add Lighting
Proper lighting works magic, instantly giving your poster art more attention. The best lighting to use is track lighting with 50 watt halogen flood light. Subdued lighting creates the best effect.
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