SOA's GET INVOLED

Here are 5 tips to hanging your art at home the right way...and once you try it, show me how it turns out...

MAP YOUR ART FIRST

Prevent unnecessary holes in your walls by experimenting withlayouts before hanging. Cut patterns from paper bags or butcher paperto the size of your frames.

Configure your layout and tape your patterns to the wall to see howit looks in relation to everything else in the room. Hang your art overthe patterns and simply tear them out from behind, after hanging

HANG ART AT EYE LEVEL

Consider your audience. Kids or adults? Standing or sitting?

Hang art so the center point is at eye level - about 5 ½ feet fromthe floor on average. Or engage viewers from a sitting perspective tocreate a casual, intimate atmosphere in kitchens, offices, or any room.

GROUP ART TO CREATE UNITY

If you have multiple pieces, think of a grouping as one unit. Ifyou want to emphasize the overall composition, hang your pieces closelytogether. This is especially important for small pieces. Use identicalframes (ie: all gold) to create unity for unrelated images.

If you have an odd number of pieces, consider hanging them in a row and in a stack for an even number of pieces.

KEEP ART IN HARMONY WITH FURNITURE

When hanging art above furniture, avoid the illusory effect of art floating off the wall from placement that's too high

Instead, hang art no more than 6 inches above the furniture. Relatethe scale of the art to the scale of the furniture. As a general rule,don't extend the piece or your grouping beyond 75% of your furniture'swidth.

FORMAL OR CASUAL?

Art placement can express either a formal or casual look. Use asymmetrical arrangement for a balanced, formal look. An asymmetricalgrouping is great for a casual look. Sconces and mirrors can enhanceyour arrangement and add greater interest to either style.