PRACTICE: Measure out the amount of wall space you have to work with and work out your arrangement on the floor.

COMPOSITION: Consider your grouping as a single unit. Odd numbers of pieces is preferable to an even number of pieces.

SPACE: Your arrangement should hang closely together. If you have too much space between pictures you lose the visual effect.

ORDER: With the exception of a round grouping, hang pictures so that they form at least one horizontal and one vertical line.

COLOR AND TEXTURE BALANCE: Pay attention to color and texture when working out your arrangement. Keep the weight of your composition well distributed.

CREATE VISUAL EXCITEMENT! Definitely mix and mingle pictures in different shapes and sizes, keeping the weight of the composition well distributed.

ACCESSORIES: Don't forget to include lamps and wall sconces into your arrangement!

SCALE: Consider proper scale when decorating your walls. Support large furniture with large wall hangings and small furniture with small wall hangings. Hanging small pictures over a large sofa or large pictures over a small loveseat will appear awkward and disrupt the balance of your room.

DISTANCE: When hanging pictures above furniture the rule of thumb is between 6 and 8 inches. If not above furniture, hang your pictures at average eye-level.

AVOID UNWANTED NAIL HOLES: To hang the picture at your chosen height you will need to measure how far from the top of the picture the hanging wire will hit when hanging on a nail. If the top of your picture should hang 72" from the floor, and the hanging wire hits 4 inches below, your nail will have to be 68" from the floor centered with your picture. (Use a light pencil mark on your wall!)

TIPS ON HARDWARE FOR PICTURE HANGING At Pro Art Source, hardware is free with your custom framing. Based on your needs we will select the best hardware option for your artwork and wall condition.

STRENGTH AND SECURITY Always use picture hangers for strength and security. Pro Art Source recommends using two hangers per picture for strength, security, and maintaining straight placement. Floreat hangers are an excellent choice.

HEAVY ARTWORK (Oversize artwork and Oversize Mirrors) Drywall: For artwork up to 150 lbs. we recommend using 2 Floreat hangers (75 lb.) on the wall. Two strap-hangers (or "D- Rings") should be attached to the artwork with no wire. Strap hangers hook directly onto floreat hangers in the wall. Weight is distributed between the hangers.

PLASTER OR BRICK WALLS We recommend that you go to your local hardware store and ask for masonry screws for cement or brick walls. They can tell you how to install them and will recomend a size for the weight/size of the item you are hanging. With plaster walls (not drywall), you have to use moulding hooks with hefty wire. Note: Floreat hangers are acceptable for plaster walls - but not brick! Floreat hangers are highly recommended for drywall picture hanging. Even large, heavy items. They do not damage the drywall and it is barely detectable that the hangers were ever there, once removed.

BOATS, MOBILE HOMES AND COMMERCIAL USE Use security hangers that anchor all corners of the frame.

DECORATIVE HOOKS Typically used for hanging light-weight objects.

CEILING MOULDINGS Many older homes have ceiling mouldings from which you many hang framed art using "Moulding hook" or "S-hook" hardware, decorative chain, and cording.