Now, ya'll are going to think I'm 54 inches "off center" to even mention this: I have a twitch. So far I've been able to control it... mostly. I have let my twitch get the best of me at my sisters house when she's not looking (okay, she looks) and I have a few minutes before I'm interrupted with kids. What's my twitch? I go bonkers when I see pictures hung too high. Really, it's more like a tick than a twitch... I get all fidgety and start reaching for my high heel "hammer" when the coast is clear.
Here's a typical example. Couch and pictures tall enough to be eye-level with an NBA star or a giraffe. It might remind you of visiting your hubby's house (the bachelor pad) when you were dating. The walls, if it had art, were hung with 8x10 frames spaced too far apart high enough to cause a nose-bleed if you were to ever see it eye to eye.So what's the rule? Museums typically hang their art 54 inches to the center of the artwork or grouping. This is prime viewing, even if you're in the NBA. It also happens to be a good decorating rule of thumb.
A simple change in picture height and arrangement can change and entire room! Take it from a 64 inch woman who's 54 inches off center tonight.... hanging pictures 54 inches TO center makes the room balanced and well arranged.If you're looking for more information on arranging displays, check out Chris Maddens article HERE.
Off to bed. I'm going to paint the other direction tomorrow to even out my obvious resemblance to the leaning Tower of Pisa.
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21 comments:
I so agree with you. The before and after photos look like a completely different room. I had to laugh at the bachelor pad reference. That is exactly what his apartment looked like, for what art he did have.
Oh, I hope alot of people see this post! It always drives me crazy when people hang little pictures waaaaay up there by the ceiling! Get a clue people.
Good post!
Debi
Hi! :-)
You've just received the Lemonade award. Stop by my blog to pick it up and show some bloggy love. :)
I'm with you! Drives me crazy too.
Amen to pictures hung too high...and the whole image of the 8x10 frames made me laugh. So true!
ONCE in my brand new house with my brand new walls Lee hung my pictures to, "help me out" while I was working. They all were at his eye level....which is no where NEAR 54" center. I am now always sure to hang them myself FIRST thing :)
P.S. I did slowly move the other ones down :)
So, I have that same "twitch"!! It drives me crazy to walk into someone's home and the pictures are too high, too small or too big for the space they are hanging them in. I am glad to hear I am not the only one who can hammer a nail with the heel of my shoe! lol. Thank you for bringing this to attention...maybe,just maybe you might help someone see that they have hung there pictures too high! We will keep our fingers crossed! Thanks for sharing, I really enjoy your blog!
~Victoria~
Neat tip! I didn't know about the 54 inches rule of thumb, but my husband seems to hang things up near the light bulbs. ;)
You are so on with this one! It drives me crazy when pictures are hung too high, and I am a tall woman. It is especially annoying in a room where people are usually sitting - like a living or dining room. You might be able to get away with it in a hallway, maybe. The few exceptions to this rule might be a very large, graphically bold picture with little detail that might be hung on a high wall under a vaulted ceiling. Otherwise, keep it low and grounded so it doesn't look like the frames are floating around up there. Please people. A hammer and and nails. Easy fix.
Amen sister! That drives me crazy too!
THANK YOU! I totally agree, it drives me NUTS. And of course the following rule is that the artwork needs to relate to the piece of furniture below it so if the centre of the artwork is 54 inches above the ground and it's hanging above a low piece of furniture, you need a large piece of art or a grouping of smaller ones so that the bottom is near enough the furniture to relate to it and not be randomly floating above it.
If you don't mind, I'm going to link to this post on my blog.
Love this! We just wanted to say Thank you!
blessings,
kari & kijsa
This drives me crazy, too. Glad to see you post about this - maybe it will reach someone who doesn't know they are NBA-type picture hangers. Have a great weekend. Sally
Playing a little bloggy catch-up. Things seem to always be so busy around here!
What a difference a few inches can make!! I'll admit, I'm guilty of sometimes hanging things a little too high....not always though.
Off to do a little more reading!
Hi there! I just wanted to come by and thank you for your sweet comment about adoption.
I have to agree about picture height, it makes me crazy to see it hung too high. Especially since I'm short. :)
I completely agree with you! Thank for showing viewers what a difference it can make to hang your pictures lower! I don't understand why people want to hang them so high! I get the same twithch. Thanks for stopping by! The party sounds great!
I'd love to join you on Tuesday for some Toile love!
Chandy here coming from Susan of "Between Naps"
Thank you for your great tip!
Pictures hung too high have always baffled me. So glad you posted this!
I am enjoying the toile popping up everywhere so came to say hi!
Susan
Oh I am with you on this Twitch! this drives me crazy and I am surrounded by people that do it. My sister, my mother in law, father in law. Why does everything have to touch the ceiling. And also the whole one little picture on a wall, oh my goodness, I never knew the 54 inch thing but good info for those that can't eye what looks "right". I am going to pass this along to a few people.
I never knew that! I think my pictures are pretty well, but now they will definitely be!
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