The “How To” of Hanging Wall Art
Scenarios
Spacing for Even Numbers
Tight spacing = 1-2”
Normal spacing = 4-6”
Large Spaces:
A tightly grouped even number of pieces works great to balance out a large space or a high wall. Note that large spaces can handle slightly larger spacing than small spaces.
Small Spaces:
A tightly grouped even number of pieces in a small area, such as a stair landing, is perfect and gives a window effect. Light colors enhance this effect.
Hanging Pieces Horizontally
Perfect for a hallway or sofa wall, hanging art horizontally allows you to achieve some volume without appearing crowded. For this scenario, an odd number of pieces is more attractive to the eye and is visually balanced; a normal spacing of 4-6” is recommended.
Tip: Use your hand, fingers closed, to determine spacing in this scenario.
Symmetrical Placement
Great for pieces that are similar in size, shape, and subject matter, this method allows you to create a grouping that has visual balance and is perfect over large furniture collections or fireplace mantles.
Like this? Check out our Cafe, Casement, or Antibes shelving.
Asymmetrical Placement
This is a great solution when you have a group of prints that aren’t necessarily the same but share at least one similar element, such as subject matter or color scheme. You can asymmetrically arrange the pieces so that they still achieve a nice ‘organic’ balance.
If you have two larger pieces, try staggering them by hanging one lower than the other, so that top and bottom don’t match.
Grouping larger and smaller pieces helps to create interest and energy. The same is true for vertical and horizontal pieces in the same grouping.
Multiples and the Vertical Line
When you are grouping four or more pieces, one above the other, you should consider a vertical line, meaning that the art should be visually balanced on both sides of an imaginary vertical line. Too much ‘weight’ on one side or the other will make the group seem awkward and unbalanced. Again in this scenario, it is a good idea to make sure the art is similar either in color scheme, frame style, or subject matter.
Safe hanging techniques on the next page!
Pages: 1 2 3 | « Previous PageNext Page »
I purchased Cindy Crawford’s cardinal red sofa, three seating pillows and love it. I’ve found end tables; black legs, round beveled glass top and round metallic goldish/copperish circle under glass. Very nice. I don’t know where to go from here. The living room is seldom used, but, upon entering our home, it is immediatley to the left of the entryway. We are looking to make it modern/classy, I think. Can you please help? Thank You!
I HAVE A LOVELY BACKPORCH- NOT SCREENED IN- AND I NEED ADVICE CONCERNING HOW TO DECORATE IT. I HAVE SEEN MANY PORCHES DECORATED WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE INDOOR FURNITURE, INCLUDING PRETTY RUGS, LAMPS, ETC. RIGHT NOW I HAVE JUST A WROUGHT IRON TABLE AND ALSO ROCKING CHAIRS. THE “LOOK” SEEMS SO BORING. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR TAKING THE “INDOORS” OUT? THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR REPLY. I AM GLAD YOU ARE OFFERING THIS SERVICE. I LOVE BALLARD DESIGNS!
Greetings! I am a huge fan of Ballard Designs and so was delighted when my husband purchased a piece of artwork from you, for me for Christmas. Though I am now having a decorating delimma as a result! The piece is your Foliage by Night Handpainted Canvas. As you are probably aware this is a very substantial piece measuring 48″ by 72″. I have a wall that I believe can handle such a large painting, I am however struggling with what type of furniture could be placed below it, or if it is possible to hang it on it’s own, alone on the wall? The painting must be hung lengthwise on my wall so it will span an entire 72″ wide. Any input? Thank you so much!
Hello: I found this information very helpful. Some tips I already know. However, I will pass this information on to a friend who is in need of help on this subject,
Thank you for providing this assistance to customers.
pat
Sheila: What a great gift! We just love the look of Foliage By Night! We do think it can stand alone as it certainly makes a statement, but if you feel that you need something under it our Anada Serving Table which is 81 1/2″ wide but only 12″ deep will fill the bill. If possible, you can place your sofa under the print too. We would recommend that you hang the print first and see how you like it alone – if not try our suggestions.
The Style Studio Team
Beverly: Are you in luck! We have a fabulous array of indoor/outdoor rugs. They can withstand the outdoors and clean with mild soap and the hose. If you start with the rug and perhaps add our Amalfi Loveseat coupled with your rockers, add some outdoor pillows in a coordinating print. Place your table in front of the loveseat and the rockers squared on either side of the loveseat for a cozy conversation area. If you really want to go all out – hang a few of our outside drapes and an outdoor painting to finish the look.
The Style Studio Team
Barbara: You have a really great start with your furniture selection. Try adding one of our indoor/outdoor animal print border rugs in front of the sofa. Lighting is very important so some fabulous lamps should be added. Lastly, try hanging our Birch Grove Print on the wall and some animal print pillows for a polished look.
The Style Studio Team
we just finished knockind down walls and redoing the kitchen. Ihave a chocolate sofa and want to get one or two chairs maybe animal print the walls are a mushroom color and I have a BIG television in thr living area. I tiled the floors a dark brown stone tile not sure what colors to use in this room. I like greens and blues. please help
Dear Stacey: Sounds like you are in the midst of a total renovation! So far, we love what you are doing. We think you are right on track with the neutrals that you have chosen as the anchor pieces. Of course we love the animal print idea. Have you looked at our Zebra Natural Woven fabric? Think you would love it! As far as accessories, accents of mossy greens and spa blues are in keeping with the natural elements of the room. In order to pull it all together, you might consider an area rug – something like our Seville Rug (RT108) which has a subtle suggestion of the colors you are using. Please send us pictures of your finished project. We love your ideas. And let us know if we can be of any further help.
The Style Studio
Thank you for all this great advice! I found your website last night and have spent the last 4 hours exploring. I am addicted!
I’ve just received your catalog and WOW, I have marked several pages of great ideas and fabulous pieces. I have a large entry way and would like to send a picture and get some advice as to whether to go with a small console and bench or your 30″ round table with tablecloth. How can I send in my design dilemma for your expert advice?
Thanks, Kim
I recently purchased the Poppies giclee set of 3 prints. There were hanging suggestions on the website but I can’t find them any longer. Can you suggest how far apart these prints should be hung to look their best?
Anne: We think you are referring to the Paysage De Coquelicots Triptych Giclee. A triptych is a painting divided into three seperate prints. Our suggestion is to hang them no more than 4″ apart. This will give you the continuity of the prints and make them look as one.
Sincerely,
The Style Studio Team
Dear Kim: Please send your Design Dilemma to style@ballarddesigns.net and include as much information (drawings, pictures, etc.) so that we can give you some suggestions.
Sincerely,
The Style Studio Team
Thank you for the picture help. I do want to point out that the rule to have art smaller than the anchor piece of furniture is not always required. I positioned a larger antique map over a mahogany chest in my living room; it helps reduce the importance of the chest and allows me to position a chair nearby without it looking too crowded. In fact in your April 2010 catalog, I see many examples of the same. For example, page 14 shows a lovely grouping wider than the desk. Pages 16-17 is also very interesting: the first two pictures have wider art while the last picture has art smaller than the chest. I think the first two have a more contemporary look. In the last picture, the chest takes over the importance since the art is smaller – this looks more traditional. Just a thought. Sincerely, KS
I am making an upholstered headboard, which will require me to move a large piece from over the bed to accommodate the headboard. Problem is, I LOVE the art and want to keep it in the room because it ties in the fabrics/colors, but I will no longer have an anchor piece of furniture to put underneath it because there is not enough room below the new place to hang it. Is hanging a mirror that is a similar size as the artwork on the opposite wall sufficient to balance it out or is hanging these two items without an anchor piece a “no-no”?
Dear Mia: The Headboard sounds great! If you LOVE the artwork – then hang it. It really doesn’t matter if there is something under it. When we give suggestions, we try to keep them as “mainstream” as possible – meaning that for most people having an anchor under a piece of wall art is the best solution. However, there are no hard-fast rules for hanging artwork – just guidelines. So don’t be afraid to hang your print – the most crucial thing is to not hang it too high. The center of the painting should be about 5’5″ from the floor – give or take a few inches. We do think that balancing the artwork with a mirror across will look just great! So go ahead and hang the print, so you can enjoy it every day.
Sincerely,
The Style Studio Team
I am interested in your Lavallo mirrror in black for over my tradional fireplace mantle that has 2 sconces over it that are 44″ apart. Will that mirror work and,if so, should I hang it squarely or diamomd shaped? I do no know the diagonal measurement of it. Thanks, Angela
Dear Angela: The Lavello Mirror is 34 1/2″ diagonally. That would leave you a little less than 5″ on either side. You could try to hang it either way, and see which way it looks the best.
The Style Studio Team
Thank you for providing this information. I find it useful.
Thank you… this was very helpful.
Thanks, great information!
Dear Ballard, I’m a huge fan of your entire catalogue. After each issue, I want to redecorate. My dilema is that have huge windows and very little walls, My walls are coffee( light brown)in living room, kitchen and dining and I love reds greens browns, cinnamon and black too. I am buying a chocolate sofa. I want to use pops of color with pillows and accents. I also love the french country roosters. How is the best way to blend with living room with out having too many rooster prints. I want my house to feel warm and welcome but not tacky.Help
My husband and I just finished having a house built after losing our original home in a fire. After 26 years of marriage, I find myself in the daunting task of decorating every room all at once. I’m not doing bad and all of the foundation furniture is in, but accessorizing is giving me migrains especially in the bedrooms. I have a country style home and need some ideas on what to put on the night stands and dressers besides the typical alarm clock and lamp. Please help with any decorating tips!
I just love the looks in your catalog. I have to start from scratch…I have a large home that was built in the 60′s. A ranch with lower ceilings. the rooms are very dark and I want to repaint recarpet. The off white color on there now looks greenish. my old carpet is (was) a nice dark green. Any suggestions on how to light things up. (I have dogs)
Thank you SO MUCH for these excellent tips. Your web site just keeps getting better all the time!!!
Karen: Perhaps your walls look greenish due to the casting of the dark green carpet onto the wall. In order to lighten up the room, our suggestion is to put hardwood floors in a light maple or bamboo and choose a couple of samples of paint that you like. Paint a large enough square so that you can look at it in both the daytime and nightime to decide what color you are really comfortable with.
The Style Studio Team
Sherry: Try to choose only the accessories that you love. If you are planning on a collection of roosters, try to keep them together rather than scattered throughout. Don’t think in terms of just prints, look for a fabric with small scale roosters, or a figurine rooster – maybe in Majolica. Keep things interesting and varied and you will create a wonderful Country French environment.
The Style Studio Team
Terry: Try looking at some catalogs and magazines for ideas on night stands and dressers. Only by the pieces you love! You will find a wide variety of items – one of our favorites is our Antique Book Bundle tied with strings or maybe our Lighthouse Steps. Just remeber not to overload tabletops. Choose only what you love and you can’t miss!
The Style Studio Team
Any suggestions for hanging art on a curved wall??
Dear Regina: Curved walls are very difficult to hang art work on – however you might want to consider painting the wall an accent color to make it stand out. There are also some canvases called Triptych – which is a set of 3 prints. If you could find one that is thin – meaning each print can hang on the curve without bowing – then it is another solution. Hanging groups of small pieces can also work – say a series of mirrors or plates – which can work very well. There is also a website with wall art decals that you may want to explore. It is called Dezignwithaz. It has many different designs that might work on your curved wall.
The Style Studio Team
I’m struggling with art for my dining room. The room has a 10′ ceiling. There is judges paneling with a ledge that it 65″ high. The wall I’d like to place art on spans 8′ left to right. I prefer my art hung at eye level, but given the hieght of the paneling any art would be much higher. Art could be leaned against wall resting on the ledge. I would appreciate tips on scale and whether to hang (how high) or lean. Thx!