The Art of Wall Arrangements

So you have a picture, and you have a wall. Now what? Contrary to popular belief, your sole task isn't to pound a nail in the wall and hang the picture level. Pleasing wall arrangements follow the same interior design rules used for placing furniture in a room.

Follow the lessons on these pages to arrange art like a pro.

 

 

Do you want a serene room or a stimulating one? Well, rhythm -- the movement from one object to the next -- contributes to a room's tone. Creating a certain rhythm depends on the size, shape, and spacing of objects. Our combination of large and small circles in the top photo evokes a wave rhythm -- dynamic movement that's not too jarring.

When all of the objects are the same size and equally spaced, the rhythm is more placid. If the larger objects were replaced by tall, vertical rectangles, the rhythm would be staccato, setting an emphatic tone.