How To Lay Out A Wall

Nothing ratchets up the anxiety level quite like the finality of putting a hole in the wall.

This natural fear is frequently responsible for homes afflicted with Barren Wall Disease, a condition currently running rampant across the United States. Here are a couple quick guidelines with which you can nurse yourself back to health:

Of course, there is nothing wrong with a bare wall here and there (or everywhere, if that is your personal taste). In an effort to avoid BWD, many of us fall victim to the impulse to hang all of the things on all of the walls, leaving us with a very visually-stimulating space. If you're a person who likes to come home and relax, this may not be the environment in which you will function best. If you're like most people, make sure to leave enough white or negative space to allow the eye and mind to rest. This may leave a wall or two completely bare. Don't worry about it!

Anything can become wall art.
We often think of hanging pictures on walls, but don't forget the potential of sculptural creations, clocks, mirrors, lightweight items such as hats or jewelry...I've even seen wall arrangements made entirely of plants. Think even farther outside of the box and realize that anything blocking the wall should be taken into consideration when creating a layout. Configurations can be arranged to leave space for a lamp or plant on the table or floor that is backed up against a wall. This is a great way to add another dimension to a layout!

The general rule of thumb is that a piece of art should take up 2/3 of the wall.
The simplest way to achieve this would be to get one large piece that is the correct size and hang it, but many times residents are working with a grouping of smaller objects. The 2/3 measurement would be the size of the grouping as a whole. Gallery walls are all the rage right now; stay tuned for a=some tips and tricks on how to start one of your own!