There is an art to hanging art. How high should the picture be hung off the floor, where should it be hung and what colour should the matting be are all questions that baffle many do-it-yourselfers. Art is continuously hung too high in homes which can cause the picture to lose much of it’s drama and presence in the room.
In general, artwork should be hung so that the center of the picture is at eye level. This is usually about 65-68 inches from the floor. While this measurement will work for a person of average height, it may need to be adjusted accordingly for the individuals that are living in the space. The mounting height should also be adjusted for the use of a room. In a living room, where people are normally seated, the artwork should be lowered so that it can be viewed and appreciated without craning the neck.
When it comes to scale, the size of the artwork should relate to the size of the wall on which it will be hung or to the size of the piece of furniture that it will hang above. A small picture will look lost hanging on a large, otherwise blank wall. A large piece of art on that same wall will create a bold statement and will create a focal point in the room. Artwork that is wider than the piece of furniture below it will look visually heavier than the furniture and will cause the whole arrangement to look out of balance.
Small photos or pieces of art can be grouped to act as a single large unit. The pieces do not have to be of the same subject or colour. They can be unified as a whole by using the same width and colour of frames on all pieces. For visual interest, frames can be hung both vertically and horizontally. When deciding on a composition, lay the pieces out on the floor first to determine spacing and layout. This gives you the chance to arrange and re-arrange without making extra holes in the wall. Ensure that there is equal spacing on all sides of the pieces. Step back and look at the balance of the composition. Have the heavier pieces been spread throughout the lighter pieces? Once you have a composition that you are satisfied with write down the dimensions and begin by hanging the center piece.
Lighting that is focused on a single piece (or on a grouping) makes the piece look more important and more dramatic. Consider installing track lighting or a focused pot light onto the piece.
Ensure that pieces of artwork are chosen for the emotional feeling that they provoke, not because they match an existing piece of furniture. Artwork is meant to stand on it’s own and be a focal point. When choosing matte colours to be placed around a piece of art, ensure that the colour will not distract from the artwork itself. Classic whites and off-whites are usually the safest choices.
In general, artwork should be hung so that the center of the picture is at eye level. This is usually about 65-68 inches from the floor. While this measurement will work for a person of average height, it may need to be adjusted accordingly for the individuals that are living in the space. The mounting height should also be adjusted for the use of a room. In a living room, where people are normally seated, the artwork should be lowered so that it can be viewed and appreciated without craning the neck.
When it comes to scale, the size of the artwork should relate to the size of the wall on which it will be hung or to the size of the piece of furniture that it will hang above. A small picture will look lost hanging on a large, otherwise blank wall. A large piece of art on that same wall will create a bold statement and will create a focal point in the room. Artwork that is wider than the piece of furniture below it will look visually heavier than the furniture and will cause the whole arrangement to look out of balance.
Small photos or pieces of art can be grouped to act as a single large unit. The pieces do not have to be of the same subject or colour. They can be unified as a whole by using the same width and colour of frames on all pieces. For visual interest, frames can be hung both vertically and horizontally. When deciding on a composition, lay the pieces out on the floor first to determine spacing and layout. This gives you the chance to arrange and re-arrange without making extra holes in the wall. Ensure that there is equal spacing on all sides of the pieces. Step back and look at the balance of the composition. Have the heavier pieces been spread throughout the lighter pieces? Once you have a composition that you are satisfied with write down the dimensions and begin by hanging the center piece.
Lighting that is focused on a single piece (or on a grouping) makes the piece look more important and more dramatic. Consider installing track lighting or a focused pot light onto the piece.
Ensure that pieces of artwork are chosen for the emotional feeling that they provoke, not because they match an existing piece of furniture. Artwork is meant to stand on it’s own and be a focal point. When choosing matte colours to be placed around a piece of art, ensure that the colour will not distract from the artwork itself. Classic whites and off-whites are usually the safest choices.
Nadine Andrews D.I.D.
DESIGN EVOLUTION
Commercial and Residential Interior Design
Kelowna BC
Ph 250864-9848 Fax 250469-9411
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