Little in your home reveals more about you than what you choose to display on your walls. Paintings, mirrors, and
photos bring pattern, color, and personality into any space. But grouping objects to fill vertical expanses can be a real challenge. Here, three eye-catching arrangements to consider.
Bring sophistication and symmetry to the narrow wall space above a small piece of furniture by hanging black-and-white photos or illustrations in black or white frames. The key to creating a cohesive gallery effect is keeping the frames' sizes, colors, and mats uniform. Groupings can consist of four, six, or more frames hung close together with equal spacing between them on all sides. (A laser level is a helpful tool here.) Before hanging, lay out possible configurations on the floor to find a pleasing balance. For example, two vertical columns of three frames each, with the middle one at eye level, will make a space seem higher.
Mirrors on the Wall
Not only can mirrors make a small room appear bigger, but mounting a chic assortment of them over a fireplace mantel creates a stylish alternative to a large piece of art. Scour flea markets or thrift shops for three, four, or five mirrors whose frame material and general condition are alike. Vary the sizes and shapes, but maintain consistency by painting each frame the same color. Here the mirrors' frames, their deep red hue contrasting with the white wall and mantel, make a fashionable focal point for the living room. To create this arrangement, stack two oval mirrors on the wall at the center point of the mantel. Then create a T formation by positioning a larger mirror on each side of the stack. These mirrors should be of equal size and should be hung at the same height.
Make decorative use of the side of a staircase by dressing it with family photos and other personally resonant artwork in different-sized picture frames. Select frames in the same color—silver, gold, or painted wood—to tie the look together, but play around with various materials and styles and be inventive with the subjects displayed. For instance, frame a poem or the kids' coloring-book creations. Then, starting at the top of the wall, create a tiered display that echoes the slope of the staircase by staggering the heights of the frames within each row as you proceed from left to right. Vary the spacing between frames from row to row.