A collection of framed photographs or collectibles can definitely do much to add personality to a room. If it is done properly, the photographs or collectibles will quickly become to focal point of the room. Let's talk about a few things you should keep in mind when hanging pictures so they add to the balance of the room instead of taking away from it.
The first thing to consider is where you should hang the picture. Always remember pictures should hang at eye level. There is ongoing debate about what exactly "eye level" is. Does it mean the eye level of viewers when standing or when sitting? One of the best ways to decide what "eye level" is for your room is to consider the purpose of the room. Whether people will be standing or sitting the majority of the time determines what "eye level" is for that room. Ask yourself "where do I want my guest's eyes to focus?"
Another important consideration is how to arrange the grouping of photographs or collectibles.
To successfully do this it is important that you take a little time for planning. A good idea is to sketch out on paper what you want the grouping to look like. The important thing to remember is that for the arrangement to really look nice it must be balanced. For example, if you have one large picture in the middle it can be balanced with two medium pictures on one side and four smaller pictures on the other side. Use a tape measure to mark out the spacing on the wall to ensure that the spacing in between pictures in a row is equal. Patience is important in this step to ensure that the finished product really looks good.Lighting is another crucial consideration to keep in mind to really make your arrangement stand out.
Direct lighting can draw attention to the picture arrangement and will immediately catch the eye of anyone who enters the room. Be very careful in choosing your lighting for the arrangement. You don't want to choose something that is too bright because it can create a glare which is very distracting. The best type of lighting is subdued and non-glare.Combining different types of frames and mats can add diversity to the grouping and increase its appeal. Make sure that the frames and mats complement each other or else the arrangement can become distracting. Your local custom frame shop may be able to help you decide on a frame and matting scheme that will work well for you particular picture grouping.
Play up your frames by accenting their shapes in other areas of the room. A beautiful area rug is a great way to play up the lines from the picture frames. If most of your frames are square shaped, look for a rug with clean lines or a geometric pattern featuring squares. If you have chosen to use round photo frames, keep the room soft with a circular area rug. Today's area rugs come in a variety of colors and styles and they are the perfect way to complement any decorating theme.
Last but definitely not least, you want to keep in mind how the picture grouping fits into the balance of the whole room. A well thought out photo arrangement will not take away from the rest of the room but will complement and accent it well. If you take time to carefully plan you picture arrangement you will be rewarded with an artistic centerpiece for your room.
