Hanging Your Memorabilia

Don’t let your memorabilia sit in a drawer – hang it on your walls! There are many pieces that you could put in a nice frame and enjoy right on your walls instead of keeping them hidden away. Start a collection and display the in groups or hang one focal piece. Either way make sure you hang them properly to get the best effect.

You have a beautiful framed vintage menu that you know would look wonderful in the kitchen. Marking the perfect spot, you set a nail into the wall beside the table and place the framed vintage menu over it. Instant Décor!

Pleased with your purchase you stand back. You look at the wall from different angles. Then you squint at the vintage find. Something is definitely not right but you cant put your finger on it.

If you have ever found yourself dissatisfied with the appearance of the decorations on your walls you are not alone. Many people make the same common mistakes that the eye can read as awkward but the individual does not know how to fix. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when arranging wall art on a wall:

Hanging Large Pieces Of Memorabilia:

Large pieces can be your focal point. Be sure to hang it in the right spot. What’s the best spot for larger pieces? Try over a couch, behind the dining set, over a fireplace or on a feature wall. A feature wall is where the placement of furniture or the layout of the home naturally guides the eye to a wall - a great place to feature those special pieces of memorabilia.

Hanging Small Pieces:

Grouping smaller pieces can add interest and keep them from getting “lost”. Using similar or matching frames and matting make this look more pleasing. A smaller piece can look strange if you try to put it in the middle of a wall so you should hang it lower on the wall and near a piece of furniture.

Grouping Memorabilia:

The key to grouping pieces together is to space them properly. Space them about 3” away from each other. Lay the pieces out on the floor first so that you can find the perfect arrangement. Then measure carefully and make your holes for hanging.

HEIGHT:

Framed memorabilia looks best when hung with the center point at eye level. That means the center should be about 60 to 66 inches from the floor. If you've visited a gallery you will see that the frames are not lined up by their top or bottom edges but that the pictures are all centered at the same height.

If your framed art would be viewed from a sitting position, then hang it at the sitter’s eye level.

Décor hung behind a couch should be no more than 8 to 10 inches above the back of the couch.

When you use these easy tips, you’ll be able to create great wall décor that looks like it was arranged by a professional.