Tips For Displaying Portraits In Your Home
When deciding on the size and location for your portrait it is important that the image be in proportion to the room and its furnishings as well as located where it can be comfortably viewed. Here are a few thoughts help you decide on a size and location for your portraits.
Where do I hang my portraits?
You'll get the most viewing pleasure from your portraits if they are placed in the room where you spend the most leisure time.This is often the living room or family room. Some of the most popular places for hanging portraiture include above a fireplace or over the sofa or love seat. Other popular places are above a hobby area, bar, or piano. Consider hanging it on a wall that is a comfortable viewing angle from the main seating area or the usual place where people congregate.
What size wall portrait would look best?
Here are three important things to consider when choosing the proper size for your portrait:
Size of faces. Being able to see the expression on the face is crucial to enjoying your portrait. We recommend at least a 4-inch face size for a portrait that will hang 15 or more feet from a seating area.
Viewing distance. The distance from the portrait to the seating area will also determine how well you can see the subjects' expression. Don't put a small portrait too far away. You don't want people to have to get up and walk across the room to see it. By the same token, don't hang a large portrait in a cramped hallway or foyer where people can't back up enough to properly appreciate it.
Horizontal wall dimension. This is sometimes the major factor in determining the framed size of your portrait. You don't want it to look big and cramped, or tiny and insignificant. To avoid looking too small, a good designer's rule of thumb is that the framed image (or grouping of images) should cover no less than one-third of the available wall space, measured horizontally.
