Getting the Hang of Artful Decorating

Celebrate fall by taking a fresh look at the pictures on your wall. Finding the right ones is fun. But deciding how and where to hang them takes a little preparation.

To help you get the "hang" of artful decorating, follow these helpful tips:

• Don't use adhesive picture hangers, especially in humid areas. The best hangers are those that are attached to a wall by driving a nail in at an angle.
  
  
• Where does the hanger go? Hold the picture to the wall by the apex of its wire and mark that spot with tape or a light pencil mark. Place the hanger so that the part that holds the wire is at this spot. Then mark the place where the nail should be driven.
  
  
• Wallpapered wall? Cut a small "V" in the paper with a razor. Lift the "V", and attach the hanger under it. If the picture is removed later, simply glue the flap of paper back down, and the damage to the wallpaper will be unnoticeable.
  
  
• To hang multiple pictures, work out an attractive arrangement first. Make a template of each picture or object with newspaper or brown kraft paper. Then use small pieces of masking tape to hang the templates, experimenting with the arrangement before hanging the actual items. This will eliminate unnecessary nail holes.
  
  
• How high or how low should you hang pictures? No more than 6 to 8 inches above a piece of furniture, or at average eye level (about 5'8" to 5'10") if not above furniture. Remember to include permanent accessories such as lamps in your plan.
  
  
• Too much space between pictures disrupts the graphic effect, so use your hand width as a guide for spacing between pieces.
  
  
• Uneven numbers of objects are more interesting than groupings of even numbers. For example, with equal spacing between, three frames hung close together will capture interest.
  
  
• The eye craves order, so hang pictures to form at least one horizontal and one vertical line (with the exception of a round grouping).
  
  
• Never stair-step pictures unless hanging them on a stairway wall.
  
  
• For heavier pictures, find a stud or a beam behind the wallboard. You can do this by tapping the wall with your knuckle. The stud or beam will sound thicker than other parts of the wall. Once you’ve found it, drive your nail into the stud or beam.
  
  

Remember, walls are the largest single feature of any room, so be sure yours make a positive statement by careful selection of your artwork, framing and hanging!