picture hanging question

14 years ago

I have a wall in my two story foyer which is 41" wide. It sets between my office door and the front wall closet at the corner. Above the closet across the entire foyer is a plant shelf. On the intended picture wall is a bank of swtches. The space above the switch plate and the top of the door casing is 29 1/2 ". I bought a beautiful painting that measures 33" high by 28 1/2 wide. If I put it on the wall, about 1" above the switch plate, the picture extends about 3 1/2 inches above the casing. But there is about 25 1/2 inches between the casing and the plant shelf edge on the right. So there would be about 22 1/2 inches to the edge of the shelf (or the next architectural element.) From there on up is blank wall. So my question is...should the picture frame be no higher than the door casing, or is it ok to extend the 3 " higher? Or should I center it between the switch plate and the shelf?

See the mock up below

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Comments (12)

haley_comet
14 years ago
Hi Kathieo,

Honestly not sure if there is a general rule of thumb regarding this but I will tell you from my own experiences I try to avoid extending beyond that of the casings.

I think perhaps it is a personal choice. Have you tried hanging the actually piece to see how it looks?
kathielo
Original Author
14 years ago
Haley, no I haven't hung the actual picture. Just bought it Sun. and I really don't want to make a nail hole in the wall if I don't put it there in the end. I was considering getting one of those Command hooks to try it. I may do that tomorrow.
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Kathie, this is going to be of absolutely no help to you right now, but I swear I have your foyer's cousin at my home. I don't have the two "closets" on either side of the entry door. I do have the open space to one side as you do, but where you have the french doors, mine is a solid wall. Everything else looks just like yours. As I said, cousin but not exactly a twin to yours. I have that ledge up there just as you do....oh, and all the oak, too. Okay, all that is nice huh? Problem is I am not at this particular house right now....I am at our lake home that we have been remodeling for the last two years. I may get to our other home next week and if hubby can teach me how to take and post pics, I will show you my foyer. I have the most adorable "circus people" on my ledge...hard to imagine I know. I have a curio cabinet where your grandfather clock is right now. I will say I think my space was little easier to work with as I didn't have as many open spaces as you do. Anyway, if you want and can think of it, remind me to show you your foyer's cousin. HA! It might give you a few ideas...or at the very least, be a little bit fun. Happy Decorating...it never seems to end, ya know pup
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cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
14 years ago
I think that picture is too large for that space- you want a picture to be at eye level.
I know the empty space up above is throwing you but as shown it looks wrong IMO.
judydel
14 years ago
It looks wrong to me also.
User
14 years ago
I think that picture would look odd there, it is the wrong shape, too square. I would rather see a rectangular picture there, more wide than tall to fit that space and I wouldnt go above the casing.
tfm1134
14 years ago
I agree, I think that size is too big for that space. I would also look for a rectangle pic
andee_gw
14 years ago
If you don't go above the casing, and match the casings level (with any picture), then there will be too much of one horizontal line around the room. I don't think the picture is necessarily too large for the space. I think a whole view of the room is needed so the painting is seen in context. Eye-level might be ideal in some cases, but with such a large piece, that is impractical.
dilly_dally
14 years ago
I think that pic is too big for the space not because of it's size per se but because it is located behind a door that swings open. It just seems too crowded. There is a lot going on in that corner area already; sidelights, transom, switchplate, french door, ledge........Something else would be better suited.
justgotabme
14 years ago
ditto dilly dally and roseabbey about the shape and size.
kathielo
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you all for your opinions. I'm going to try to find a more rectangular picture. Yes, the two story area makes for a lot of empty wall space. I'll try to take more pctures of the entire space. I think the foyer as a whole could use some pizazz. I'll keep you all posted. Hope you'll check back. Kathie.
kathielo
Original Author
14 years ago
please check my new posting titled "foyer pictures after the picture hanging question"
oopsie913
14 years ago
i go low always, very rarely at eye level and don't know of any rule of thumb for that but think beyond the casing might be a bit odd.

picture hanging question

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picture hanging question

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