Tips For Displaying Taxidermy

While not for everyone mounted taxidermy can make a great decorative statement in the right room. Many hunters and fishing enthusiasts love to see their mounted catches hung on the wall. A log cabin or sports den room would look great decorated with taxidermy be it your own or antique finds. Hanging fish mounts bear heads deer heads and the like should be done with care to produce the desired effect.

You have found a great stuffed deer head that will look great hanging in the sports den. So you bring it into the room and hammer a nail into the wall on the fireplace and slide the stuffed deer head on it. Instant Décor!

You take a step back to admire your new purchase. You move your head, looking at the hanging from all angles. Then you do a double take and stare at the mount. Something’s not right about it, but what?

There are a few common errors that are made while hanging and arranging items on a wall. These errors look awkward to the eye, but you cannot put a finger on exactly what is wrong or how to fix it. Use the guidelines below when arranging wall art or other wall décor on a wall:

Hanging Large Pieces:

Large mounts can be an area of focus so it needs to go in the appropriate spot. Where do larger pieces look the 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 special taxidermy pieces.

Hanging Small Pieces:

Try to group small pieces if possible. 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 Groups Of Mounts:

You can create an interesting display by grouping like items together. The key to getting it to look right is the spacing. Try to have them spaced approximately 3 inches apart. Try positioning them on the floor or a table to get a pleasing arrangement before placing the nails and measure carefully before making any holes.

HEIGHT:

Taxidermy mounts should be hung with the very center level with your eyes. 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 mount 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.

If you are hanging it behind the couch, make sure it is no more than 10” above the back.

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