Friday, July 16, 2010

Hanging Art 101

Arrangements of framed photography or wall art can really liven up a room. Art should show off your personality. Finding just the right piece of art for a space is like finding the perfect bow for a gift - it's just the right finishing touch.


So, have you found the perfect piece of art? But not sure how or where to hang it?
Scroll down for a few helpful hints.

-Mid point of art should to hung at eye level, which is approximately 60 to 65 inches from the floor. This is just a starting point. There are a lot of different factors that play into this depending on where the art is being hung (ie: in a hallway, over a sofa or buffet, etc)

- If positioning art over furniture (sofa, console table, bookcase, etc.) hang it so that it relates to furniture piece, usually about 5 to 8 inches. If it is hung to high, the art will look separate or apart from the furniture piece.

- Be mindful of the balance in the room. Do not hang all of the art on one side of the room, leaving the other side empty, the room will look off-balanced.

- Make sure the scale of the art is comparable to the scale of what it is being hung over. (ie: don't hang a heavy-looking mirror over a dainty and small console table)

- Do not hang a small lonely piece of art on a large wall. This arrangement is not appealing to the eye and the art peice will just look awkward.



-For a uniform & structured look,
hang art in a grid pattern.

- For a more unorganized and unexpected
look, arrange art asymmetrically.

- To add diversity to an arrangement, use frames and mats that are different sizes and shapes, but compliment each other.

- Off center art and place with other accessories for a more
eye-cathing arrangement.

- Art doesn't always have to be hung. It can sit on a furniture piece and lean against the wall. (Just make sure it is stable.)

-Consider lighting to really show off your art.



Note: San Francisco Design in no way takes credit for the pictures used in this post. They are merely pretty pictures for you to enjoy, that have been found in different design magazines and online.