Stairway Arrangements

Define a stairway and bring to life its dead wall space in one artistic swoop of picture arranging, rather than the scattershot approach. Coax art to climb the wall stair-step style (gradually moving art a level higher with each picture) to highlight the diagonal railing. Or, anchor the banister with pictures. Let the stairs guide you.

Select landing prints.

1. Using the banister as a vertical guidepost, stack a pair of prints in the landing to herald, but not overpower, the staircase.

Begin with an anchor, then frame.

2. For an arrangement of different sizes, start with a strong horizontal object as an anchor. Create a framework for the design by mimicking the lines of the stairway. The vertical stack of prints on the left copies the post; the diagonal edge mirrors the stairs.

Go for the gallery look.

3. Take a gallery approach, drawing the eye to a sleek treatment of three small photographs framed with large mats, centered, and evenly spaced.

Group same-size prints.

4. To arrange same-sized prints with pleasing proportions, fill the wall with the evenly spaced grouping, centering it between the ceiling and the baseboard.