Here are a few things to consider that will help you in arranging a pleasing and cohesive display.

1.) Think about a symmetrical arrangement – Balance - is the idea here. This means an even distribution of the visual weight of your artwork. If the display is unbalanced, things may appear to fall off the wall or tip to the side. Too top heavy and your eyes will miss the rest of the presentation.

A symmetrical arrangement is where each side is the same in visual weight. Using an odd numbers in pictures helps here but even numbers can be balanced if images vary in size.

Asymmetrical arrangements are done the same way. Again, odd numbers work the best in this kind of layout.

2.) There are times when your piece of artwork is large and you want to feature it alone. Its Visual Weight is bold. The best way to display something of size would be near other large objects like a sofa or set of bookshelves.

Items that are, dark, patterned or odd shaped tend to look heavy. Even a small piece that is bright red or another bright color can appear heavy as well.

3.) Proportion or the relationship between pieces of artwork can aid in making visual sense of your surroundings and how you present them.

Compare large too small or halves to thirds and their relationships to each other. Displays in groups of three, five, seven or other odd numbers work very well and are pleasing to the eye.

Smaller prints like wildflowers or wildlife images can balance off of a large landscape, enhancing the exhibition.

It is all very similar to photographic composition when you are looking through a viewfinder but in this case you assemble the subject matter on the wall instead.

This makes your displays more interesting to the viewer and will give them a nice visual pacing that is very pleasing.

4.) When setting up images in straight lines you can give the impression of being modern or abstract in nature. Combinations of lines and the thickness of space between images create form and visual direction that will move your viewer to read the sequence of prints.

5.) This in turn helps create Rhythm, which is the visual movement from one object to the next. The set up can be calm and flat or uplifting and more dramatic to the viewer.

Rhythm depends on spacing, size and shape of the objects you hang on the wall. Use combinations of large and small prints to create a sense of wave movement. Having a good visual flow in your presentation will evoke drama in the viewer’s perception.

When everything is equally spaced and the same size, the perception is calming. The visual rhythm is tranquil.

Tall verticals and long horizontals, perhaps with a square or two, result in a rhythm that has a pace or expressive tone.

6.) Viewing order directs the attention to the most dominant place first. Work with one dominant print, and then arrange the rest to supplement the theme. This will give the viewer a focal point.

It unifies all the images on the wall.

7.) The use of Negative Space, just like in composition, can be as interesting as the images themselves. You can draw attention to negative space by using contrasting colors from your background wall.

Placing an image or object within the negative space will give it more visual importance to the viewer.

8.) The size relationship between prints or objects is known as Proportion.

Viewers analyze proportion without even thinking. This is how we make sense of our surroundings. Again, think of photographic composition when assembling items for wall décor. Feature one main object and have small proportioned items surrounding it or flowing to the side.

This will make your display more interesting to the viewer. You want them to discover the emotions you had when recording the images in the first place. Relay your emotions and communicate them in the layout on your wall.

Pleasing arrangements for wall décor follow the same rules as the composition that created the images in the first place. Check out other interior design suggestions for dramatic wall layouts that convey and enhance your emotions.

Step back and place all the pieces of the visual puzzle together to form one unified presentation.

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