But Where Do I Hang It?

A blank wall. What will I ever do with it? Many people feel intimidated when faced with decorating walls. Yet wall decor is fairly simple if you follow a few guidelines.

It is tempting to select paintings simply because they match the sofa or were on sale at the drugstore, and not because they have meaning to the family. Generally it is more interesting to select a painting or other decorative object for one of the following reasons:

1. It is a scene you particularly love: your hometown, a place where you once lived or vacationed, the area of your mission, or one of the temples. I painted a watercolor of my husband’s favorite fishing stream, and it is placed where he can enjoy looking at it frequently.

2. It represents an interest or hobby you and your family enjoy. You might be ski enthusiasts or enjoy boating or birdwatching. A scene representing this hobby might be fun.

3. It is a painting or sketch by an artist friend, and has sentimental value.

4. It fills a need. I have a cheery poster over my ironing board to help keep my spirits up while I do my least favorite task.

5. It creates a mood. A friend has a calm, restful Dutch interior painting in her kitchen that gives her a tranquil feeling on hectic days.

6. It expresses what you would have expressed if you could paint.

7. It is a piece of homemade art or handiwork—a beautiful doily your great-grandmother made or some crewel or needlepoint. A large bulletin board in the family room can be used to display children’s art objects or family home evening aids.

Many other objects of interest can also be placed on walls—alone or in groups—to create interesting areas in halls, family rooms, or kitchens. Such objects might include flat sculpture, trinkets, photos, old photostats and documents, framed pieces of gift wrap or fabric, posters, postcards, stamp collections, and other mementos.

To be aesthetically pleasing, a picture should be hung where it can be enjoyed. Most people hang pictures too high. They should be placed low enough to fit in with the furniture. Art which will be viewed primarily while sitting should be placed at eye level or lower.

A single painting is fairly simple to position, while a grouping can be more difficult. Paintings in groups can be arranged in symmetric balance (a large painting centered with smaller ones placed at equal distance on either side) or asymmetrically (with a large painting to one side and others placed opposite to balance it).

In arranging a group, first measure the space to be used; then out an equal space on the floor and organize the pieces in this space. If you try to do it piece by piece right on the wall, you will probably find yourself making many nail holes before you get everything to fit just right.

The most important consideration in art for your home is that you and your family like it. Decorating books, magazines, and stores are wonderful sources of ideas, but such ideas should be adapted to fit your needs and taste. Let your home reflect the real you. Bonnie Oswald, Newark, California