Stay Focused

Window & Wall Ideas magazine gathered these art tips from Roddie Harris, picture hanger and designer.

A focal point on a wall -- particularly if you are planning to hang a group of pictures -- is essential. For me, a mirror, such as a starburst or Irish bullet mirror, works best, especially if the grouping is of small pictures.

If, however, you have no such feature to use, create your own by cleverly arranging the smallest of the pictures, or perhaps a mixture of pictures and objects, as the focal point.

Keep spacing tight when hanging a group of small pictures. The "weight" of a group can be at the higher rather than lower level, by which I mean you can taper down as well as up.

The level at which you should hang pictures depends on the space you wish to fill, but as a general rule, eye level or below is best. If you are hanging small pictures, even lower is better for visibility.

Always hang pictures on two hooks placed as far apart as possible to distribute the weight evenly and to keep the pictures straight.

When hanging pictures over a sofa or chest, keep them close enough to the item to retain good visual contact. The picture will not look good if it seems to float above the object -- it needs to be grounded.

When planning an entire wall of pictures, find the center and work from there, hanging one to the left and another to the right until the wall is done. I advise using a bank of horizontal pictures in the center.

The New Decorating with Pictures by Stephanie Hoppen (photography by Simon Upton, published by Bulfinch Press)