As much as I love buying art and framing photographs to deck up the walls at home, I break into a sweat thinking about the ideal height and placement for maximum impact. I often find that frames not hung correctly, too low or too high somehow feel lost. So here is a concise guide on hanging frames and wall art correctly:

1. Hanging mirrors:

Now that you have bought the gorgeous vintage mirror, you are wondering where to place it. A single mirror placed correctly on the wall can work like magic. It helps create an illusion of space and multiplies the light in the room. Strategically place the mirror directly opposite the light fixture or such that it mirrors the chandelier and reflects maximum light.

Image via: Handmade Talks blog

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 2. Frame behind a sofa:

If you hate the blank space behind your sofa and have set your mind on placing a piece of art on the wall, remember to measure both your frame and sofa before buying. The wall art should be at least 50% to 90% the size of the sofa. A frame that is less than 50% will feel lost in the massive space behind it, anything more than 90% will dwarf the sofa. Hang the frame between 8 to 10 inches above the back of the sofa. They should complement each other and not feel like they are floating away from each other.

Image via: Decorpad

3. Grouping a mix of frames:

When creating a gallery wall with a mix of frames, it is best to first lay them down and play with the setting rather than directly placing them on the wall.  Start with the largest frame and add smaller frames around it. Keep a gap of at least 2 to 5 inches between the frames. Evenly distribute the visual weight by placing the heavier frames below the lighter ones. The ideal height from the floor to the middle of the frame or grouping should be about 58 inches which is the average eye level.

Image via: Lovelyclusters.tumblr

Always trace your frames on paper and review the placement on the wall before drilling the nails and creating unwanted holes. Finally, remember that it is your house and you can decide to break the rules if that makes you happy.

For more decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

In my experience as a design consultant, I have been inside clients’ homes countless times.  I love to see how each person has a unique and personal sense of style, and I believe it’s very important to preserve their sense of identity when redecorating.  What I like, or whatever the latest home trend is, may not be the one-size-fits-all solution for everyone.  With that said, there are some décor mistakes I see repeatedly from place to place that are easily remedied without professional help.  I call them “mistakes” because, even though design is incredibly flexible, these three things simply don’t work well in the overall visual aesthetics of a room.  Take a look around and see if you can’t do a simple improvement right now.

Image via Pinterest

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The ‘Postage-Stamp’ Rug

Rugs that are too small for a room are all too common.  A rug should act as an anchor that unites all the furniture groupings together by extending to reach all of them.  Generally, you should leave only 18-24 inches of space between the walls and rug border all the way around or the “anchor” will feel lost and floating in the center of the room.  Check here to learn more about choosing the perfect rug.

 Image via: Niki Papadopoulos

Hanging Art Too High (or Too Low)

It’s so easy to hang art or family photos on a single nail.  What’s harder is hanging it at the right height.  The center of the painting should be about eye level, with at least 12 inches of clearance from the ceiling.  Take an extra minute to measure, and your eyes will thank you for years.  To get more ideas for hanging art creatively, click here.

Image via Mix and Chic

No Headboard

Headboards are the focal point of a bedroom, so a bed without one knocks the whole room out balance.  There’s no “right” type of headboard, from wood to upholstery to even a curtain or oversized piece of wall art.  The important part is to have that central aspect of the bed and to make sure that you love it.  If you like to DIY, here’s a tutorial on how to make your own headboard.  With these tips, you can avoid the most common decorating mistakes!

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