Suppose you have lot of works in one genre, such as portraits or landscapes, and want a more uniform look. You could create an arrangement of works solely in that genre and use frames with consistent sizes and colors. If you like visual puns and storytelling, look for objects in your collection that relate to each other in clever or interesting ways. For instance, a pair of portraits might seem to glance at each other as if they’re laughing at the same joke.
If you’re going for a cohesive arrangement but still want a pop of color, you could go for a monochromatic look. For example, display works together that are all predominantly blue.
For example, suppose you want to cluster several similar works, but don’t want your arrangement to be static. Use frames with different sizes and materials to add variety to your collection. [5] X Research source If you want to unify a broad range of mediums, colors, and sizes, use all black frames, wood frames, or frames with equal thicknesses.
Suppose you have a large, rectangular dining room with a long table. A linear arrangement of artworks displayed in equally-sized frames and hung at the same height will complement the room’s horizontal lines. [7] X Research source
If you’re placing artwork over a bed or a sofa, hang it about 8 inches (20 cm) above the headboard or sofa back. Large scale works hung above a large piece of furniture should be between 65 and 85 percent of the furniture’s width. Larger works could dwarf your furniture, and smaller works could leave too much blank space. [9] X Research source
For example, you could mix up drawings or paintings on paper, colorful prints, and black and white photographs. Frame them in equally-sized white frames with white matting, then hang them in a uniform grid. Keep in mind you’ll have to hang a grid as precisely as possible. A grid’s uniformity will magnify even the slightest misalignment.
For instance, mix up scales to create a balanced composition instead of clustering small works on one side of the arrangement and larger works on the other. Pay attention to frames, too. Scatter frames’ styles evenly instead of grouping ornate frames in one part of the arrangement and simple frames in the other.
For example, 2 large scale objects could define the upper right and lower left corners of a rectangular arrangement. You could then use groupings of smaller works to define the rectangle’s other corners.
Planning out how your works’ colors and proportions relate is especially important if you’re going for a clustered or salon-style look. When you play with arrangements, avoid crowding artworks. Leave about 1 1⁄2 inches (3. 8 cm) between smaller objects, and about 2 inches (5. 1 cm) between large scale works. [14] X Research source
For example, if you have high ceilings, you might need to hang works higher to minimize blank space between them and the ceiling. You might also need to make adjustments in order to leave enough space between an image and a large piece of furniture. [16] X Research source The height guideline doesn’t really apply if you’re going for a floor to ceiling, wall to wall look.
Use low adhesive masking tape so you can shift the templates around without pulling off your wall’s paint. Use a bubble level to double check your templates’ levelness. If you have a laser level, project level lines where you want to hang templates.
For instance, suppose you pull the wire at points 3 inches (7. 6 cm) to the left and right of the frame’s vertical center (imagine a line going through the center of the frame from top to bottom). Then, when you pull the wire toward the frame’s top, there are 2 inches (5. 1 cm) between the wire and frame’s top. You’ll note those measurements and use them to nail picture hooks into the wall at the right spots. Hanging artwork with 2 hooks keeps it from shifting around, which helps maintain levelness and prevents wall damage. For works without hanging wires, such as those with D-rings, measure the distance from the ring or hook to the top of the frame.
For example, measure 3 inches (7. 6 cm) to the left of the center point. From that spot, measure 2 inches (5. 1 cm) down from the top edge, then make a mark. Repeat the steps on the right side, and mark the spot that’s 3 inches (7. 6 cm) to the right of the center point and 2 inches (5. 1 cm) from the top edge. To mark your spots, draw a dot on the template with a pencil or make an indentation with a nail.
For instance, if the wire will rest on a hook 1⁄2 inch (1. 3 cm) below the nail hole, hammer the nail into the wall 1⁄2 inch (1. 3 cm) above the mark you made in the previous step. If you don’t make the adjustment, your artwork will hang 1⁄2 inch (1. 3 cm) lower than you planned.
