Interior Design: Picture Perfect
By Lori Wawczak
 Ever have a problem hanging pictures or arranging them on your walls? Here are some tips on arranging your artwork with an aesthetic eye.
Remember to hang your pictures at eye level. In the living room, pictures should be hung lower so that people sitting in the room may view them while seated. A large picture behind the sofa may end up being as little as four inches from the top of the sofa; it often looks best when displayed alone. It serves as the focal point in a room because the eye is drawn directly to it.
Smaller pictures become more effective when grouped together as opposed to being scattered all over the wall. Balance and spacing are important when arranging artwork. Pieces should be of similar visual weight as nearby furniture. A rule of thumb is that the space between two pictures should be less than the width of a single picture.
If you’re apprehensive about hammering nails into your walls, cut pieces of paper into the size of your pictures. You can even mark the placement of the hooks using this technique. Then arrange them by taping them on the wall until you are happy with the results. A grouping can stay unified by roughly organizing the pictures into a rectangle, circle, or triangle. You can also use frames or prints that carry similar styles or colors. Once you are satisfied, mark where the hooks will go with a pencil, going right through the paper, and proceed to hang your artwork.
You may want to consider lighting too. If the general lighting in the room is not sufficient to clearly see the picture, add special lighting. This could be on the picture itself or spot lights from ceiling tracks. This will help draw attention to your artwork and add even more visual interest in the room
The type of artwork you use will depend on your personal preferences and your budget. It can be simple prints, needlework, limited edition prints or original art. Of course, the more valuable the piece, the more important its place should be. Special pieces should be focused on in some way and the style of the artwork should coordinate with the furnishings in the room. For example, a very contemporary piece of artwork will look out of place in a very traditionally styled room.
And don’t forget accessories…..because they truly provide the finishing touches to every room!
About the Author
|
| Lori Wawczak, Decorating Den Interiors
Lockport, IL 60441
815-588-1793
If you would like to re-print this article, please contact the author.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Editorial Disclaimer: The views expressed in articles published on this website are those of the authors alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of this website or its staff. The articles on this site do not constitute a recommendation or endorsement with respect to any views, company, or product. Authors affirm that article submissions are their original content or that they have permission to reproduce.
|
|