How To Hang Vintage Prints

You can find vintage prints for reasonable prices in most antique malls. These prints are often framed in wonderful frames and have interesting subjects and colors not found in modern prints. Hanging them on your walls can add interest if you know how to place them properly.

You have found a great vintage framed print which you want to hang in the bedroom. You mark your spot and drive a nail into the wall over the fireplace placing your vintage framed print onto it. Perfect!

You take a step back to admire your handiwork. You move your head, looking at the hanging from all angles. Then you squint at the print. Something’s not right about it, but what?

If this has happened to you – you hang something and you cant figure out why it doesnt look right, you are not the only one. Most people make little mistakes while hanging decorations – things the eye tells you dont look right but the brain cant figure out why. Below are some tips to keep in mind when hanging paintings and prints on a wall:

Hanging Large Prints:

The larger prints can be a focal point so you should be careful to place it in an appropriate area. Where does large hangings look best? 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 prints.

Hanging Small Prints:

Grouping smaller pieces looks nice and can make a great statement. You can tie them together by using similar types or putting them in matching frames. Otherwise anchor the small piece visually by hanging it low and close to furnishings so it doesn^t appear to be floating on the wall.

Hanging Prints In Groups:

You can create an interesting display by grouping like items together. The key to getting it to look right is the spacing. Space them about 3” away from each other. Before you start making holes in the wall, try laying them out on the floor so you can figure out the best spot for each piece.

HEIGHT:

Prints should be hung with the center of the picture 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 vintage print is usually going to be viewed sitting down (as at a dining table or when viewed beside a couch) you would hang them at the sitter^s eye level instead.

Anything hung behind the couch should be placed no more than 8 or 10 inches above the back of the couch.

These tips will help you bring focus and appeal to any arrangement that you choose to decorate your walls with.