The Art of Art-
Tips on Arranging Groupings and Choosing Wall Space
You have beautifully framed a group of pictures that will make a single display. But which wall should you hang them on? And how do you arrange them?
First, treat the pictures as a single unit by laying them out on a large piece of paper (newspaper works well) and trying different arrangements until you see an overall size and shape that seems pleasing. Now trace the arrangement on the paper to make a template you can tape to the wall.
Select a wall that is the right size for the arrangement—larger walls for arrangements with more pictures or larger pictures, narrow walls for smaller pictures or arrangements made up of only a few pieces. Also, relate grouping to furniture. Just as a single large painting over a sofa or mantle creates a focal point, several smaller pieces hung as a group can balance larger furniture, but they can overwhelm dainty pieces. Smaller pictures often look good propped or hung above a decorative shelf and combined with other objects.
Once you’ve chosen the wall, use your paper template to determine a vertical height by placing the center of the grouping at eye-level for the average person (someone about 5’6”). You can eyeball it or measure. Either way, use painter’s tape to hang your template and stand back to decide on final placement. You’ll probably need to adjust the template side-to-side until it looks right compared to nearby objects. For example, you might want to center it between doors, furniture, corners or other objects on the wall.
Any arrangement can be effective, though asymmetric layouts read as more casual than symmetric designs – where the top and bottom and each side mirrors the other. Stairways make good areas for casual groups, living rooms for formal compositions.
Illuminating artwork can give it importance. Consider track lighting in a dark hallway or decorative sconces on either side of a large painting.
With all your planning and hard work, you’ll want to make sure your artwork is securely hung. Always use wire and picture hooks rated for the weight of the artwork or object. When hanging heavy pictures used specialized drywall hangers that have been installed into a wall stud.
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