Your Guide to Arranging Pictures on a Wall
Decorating your space with a new painting or a collection of family photos can be a bit daunting. With so many pieces to consider, it's natural to feel overwhelmed. But don't worry, there's no one right way to put everything together! Feel free to experiment with different arrangements until you find the perfect fit for your space. Sometimes, the most surprising arrangement turns out to be the most beautiful one. So have fun with it!
Arranging pictures on a wall can be just as important as the artwork itself! A precisely placed grid creates a formal look, while a group of pictures hung within a set square or rectangle feels more casual. Whether you're working with one piece or a collection, it's important to center the artwork horizontally between two points to create balance in your room.
Here are a few tips to help you arrange your pictures:
Take Your Time to Plan
Start by laying out the pictures you want to hang on the floor or propping them against the wall to get a feel for your options. Try out different compositions and ask someone to hold a piece up while you stand back and evaluate. And remember, masking tape can be used to protect your walls from scratches.
Find a Common Thread
In most groupings, there should be a common thread that ties the pieces together, whether it's a set or collection, a shared frame style, or mat color. However, sometimes diversity can be the unifying theme, which is best suited to a less formal room.
Let Your Furniture Guide You
Moving your pictures just a few inches can make a big difference in the tone of your room. Try positioning them over a sofa or chair to create a cohesive and cozy feel. Or, hang a series of photos above a chair rail to emphasize its placement.
Mix It Up
Mismatched elements can be challenging to hang, but they can also be very compelling! For an eclectic group of pictures, try arranging sketches, paintings, architectural renderings, cameos, and decorative brackets in a free-form, asymmetrical grouping. Vary the frames, but make sure they share a somewhat formal feel to avoid a chaotic look.
Remember to take your time and plan out your arrangement before making holes in the wall. Once you have your arrangement set, use the same steps outlined above to hang your art.