What Is the Correct Spacing Between Two Vertical Wall Hangings?

Paired Hangings

• Pairing similar wall hangings works well to fill a blank wall space, such as at the top of a staircase, on a blank wall in a room or on a hallway wall. Two hangings of the same size create a symmetrical display that gives a balanced effect. Although paired hangings are usually hung level with each other, you can also create a stepped effect by hanging one hanging higher that the other. This creates an asymmetrical display and fits well on the side wall of a staircase.

Placement

• The placement of wall hangings depends on their size and the available wall space. In a limited space -- such as at the top of a staircase -- you can achieve an uncrowded look by leaving a space between the two hangings that is equal to or smaller than the margin of wall space around the outside edge of each hanging. For an undistorted perspective, the center of the artwork needs to be at eye-level. If you have hangings with tassels or borders, consider the middle of the hanging's main image to be the center. Gain a better perspective on dining room or living room hangings viewed from a sitting position by hanging them lower, such as with the bottoms of the hangings four to six inches above the couch.

Spacing

• Unless the wall hangings form a single picture when hung next to each other, leaving a gap between them improves the visual focus on each hanging. Allowing a space of at least three inches between the hangings gives each hanging a margin around it. To center a pair of hangings over a piece of furniture, such as a bed, sofa or desk, aim to fill at least two-thirds to three-quarters of the wall above the furniture with the hangings for visual balance.

Technique for Positioning Wall Hangings

• As with many areas of visual presentation and interior decorating, there isn't a hard rule -- there's no requirement for all hangings to have a set distance between them. To plan the correct positions for the hangings, trace the hangings on butcher paper, and tape the paper patterns on the wall. This method reduces the risk of mistakes and damage to the wall from having to move hardware. Penciling the level of the hanging's visual centers on the paper cut-outs and taping them to the wall with painter's tape helps you to position them accurately.