Creating a Picture Wall

I recently received a request from a lovely reader for a blog post about how to hang a picture wall. I love to get suggestions for posts, and to know what you're interested in, so I was only too happy to oblige.

Are you the type who craves order and symmetry? Then perhaps you'd like the simplicity of this 3 x 3 repetition...

Or perhaps you like the neatness you get by keeping a common bottom line...

Personally, I prefer a more eclectic looking picture wall, but that still requires a bit of work, so here are my tips for creating this look...

Select a mix of photographs, prints, and illustrations (kid's art is perfect) in varying sizes - small, medium, and large. Smaller pieces are great for filling in spaces and keeping your eye moving, but it's a good idea to have one large piece that acts as an anchor. Keeping your frames similar helps to make the display look collated rather than chaotic, but don't be afraid to vary it slightly - I love white, light wood, and gold frames together.

Before you begin it's a good idea to lie your artwork on the floor and move them around until you're happy with the layout. Play with your different shapes and sizes to get an interesting mix. Start by hanging your larger piece slightly off-centre and then arrange the smaller ones around it. To get the eclectic look break all the lines by not having any of the frames line up.

Once you're happy with your arrangement, trace the outline of each frame onto brown paper (rolls available from Warehouse Stationery) and cut out. Measure the distance from the top of the frame to where the bottom of the hook will be and mark that measurement on your paper cutout. Tape the cut out shapes onto the wall in the layout you've designed (you can take a photo of it on the floor first to refer back to). Use masking tape to attach the paper shapes so as not to damage the wall.  As a rule, always hang frames at eye level and allow at least 150-200mm of space below the bottom frame when hanging above a piece of furniture. The gaps between frames don't have to match exactly, but keep it similar - at least 50mm between frames on all sides.

When all the cut out pieces are taped to the wall, hammer the picture hook into the wall (and paper) so that the base of the hook sits on the mark you made earlier. You can then remove the masking tape, pull away the paper, and hang the picture. Repeat until all your art is hung. Use a spirit level to make sure your pieces are straight and pop a couple of small piece of Blu-Tack on the bottom corners to keep them from moving.

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So there you have it, I hope that helps when you come to create your own picture wall. To make it really special take some time to collect artworks and photos that you adore and have meaning. Put aside a few hours for the arranging and hanging, and if all else fails, hire a professional picture hanger :)