Hanging a picture on your wall can create a dramatic effect. And if the picture is hung well the effect will be a good one.
Hanging pictures can be difficult, whether you're selecting the best placement for your child's senior portrait or a VanGogh, placement is key and improper positioning can make all the difference.
Art galleries use a standard rule of thumb of 60 inches from the floor to the center of the art. This brings the focal point of the picture to eye level for most people. Positioning your central piece according to this rule typically works quite well and will make the most appealing presentation.
Notice that the center of the art should be at the 60 inch mark. Now if you're hanging a series of pictures - say you want to place all four children's wedding photos around your own wedding photo and have decided that you want to set it up somewhat like the 5 on dice. Once you've decided which child gets what corner and how far you will place them from your photo, you've created your artwork. From now on consider the entire collection of photos as one piece of art. It is the center of this ensemble that becomes the focal point.
In some homes there are obstacles that make eye level an impossibility. You may have low hanging chandeliers, staircases, fireplaces and other non-moveable items you'll have to work around. In these situations you may want to make cardboard cutouts that are the same size as your artwork and tape them to your wall, place them in the spot you're considering and then stand back and see if you get the effect you're looking for.
Your effect can easily be ruined by artwork that overpowers your room. Instead select pieces that add interest and compliment your already existing pieces. If you're going to hang something behind a couch then make sure the picture isn't wider than the couch, this will create an imbalance that will distract guests. In the same vein, several small photos can create an effect that's as dramatic as one large piece but can be just as distracting if they take up too much space. Remember that your eye basically sees the grouping as a single ensemble piece.
A key to remember when you're making your measurements and taping your faux art to the walls is that your picture will not be taped to the wall. You will be hanging it and most likely it will be hung from a cord or wire strung across the back. Experiment and see how your picture hangs. You may actually want to measure how far up the artwork the nail will have to be placed and then keep this in mind before you start pounding nail holes into the wall.
