Most people feel pretty passionate about their personal framed photos, but where should they be hung or located in your home? The general consensus in the design world is personal photos, kid’s school photos, cute shots of your baby, photos of your parents or in-laws should be located in personal spaces in your home instead of main entertaining areas of your home. Personal spaces are bedrooms, hallways, playrooms, dens, studies, even bathrooms. Main entertaining areas, great rooms, formal living rooms, and dining rooms are generally reserved for paintings, framed prints, art photographs, as well as large framed professional portraits.

How and where should photos be hung or arranged?  I like to create an interesting focal point in the room.   Arranging a group of art or photos on a wall is an excellent way to accomplish this.  This task, however, requires extra planning.  Try planning out the arrangment of your pictures on the floor first. (This allows you to move them around without leaving unsightly holes in the wall).

Mix art and photos for interest.

As you arrange photos in a group, strive for balance. Balance a large photo on the left with two smaller photos on the right. Your goal is to create an attractive composition.  Add diversity to the arrangement by useing frames and mats that are different sizes and shapes, but compliment one another. I like to use all one color frame or mat to tie the grouping together.  Often I hang only black and white photos. Sometimes I mix art and photos for interest. Using shelves to set photos on adds dimension to your composition.

Think outside of the box.  Notice in this composition the mix of mostly black and white photos, framed in silver, setting on shelves, balanced by artwork.  The composition is tied together by the predominance of black.  The use of black and white photos, black shelves, and black framed art work mixed in to create an interesting contrast against the vibrant paint.  Things to consider when hanging groups of photos and framed art:

• Consider high lighting your arrangement with direct lighting to attract the eye. Lighting should be subdued and not produce a glare.
• Arrange groups of photos at eye level. When finding “eye level”, consider the arrangement as a whole. Eye level is approximately the center of the arrangement.
• Be conscious of “balance” in the entire room. Putting everything in one part of a room and leaving the other walls bare will throw off the balance of the entire room.
• Measure to keep the distance between photos equal, take your time, and have fun with it!