Advice on hanging picture rail?

10 years ago

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I'm hoping you can help me. I'm finally getting around to hanging art, and bought a metal rail from which to hang pictures via cable wire (see Houzz image for style). I am not sure how high to hang it (near ceiling? where currently taped? lower? different wall altogether?). The wires can be as long as necessary to get the pictures to the appropriate height, so the rail height does not affect picture height. The rail will be used to hang B&W photos in black frames. I do not want to detract from the barn door as I think that is one of the highlights of the room. I have included a few other photos of the room in case this helps advise on options. Please advise.

The barn door is on the North side. The living/dining are separated by the fireplace along the West, and the open plan kitchen (not shown) is to the East, separated by an island. The front door and wall with all the windows is South. There is tons of natural light which casts amazing diagonal shadows on the only other open wall (above the stereo), which on its own is kind of artistic. I have enclosed that photo too (though the sun becomes more prominent in the afternoon and shines above the stereo).

As for other items that may or may not affect the decision. The kitchen table will be replaced by a custom walnut table and dark chairs (the light chairs and tablecloth will go). The chest in the living room is getting replaced by an arrangement of 3 Ikea Besta hanging cabinets on the wall, on which the stereo will then sit. And a white plant shelf with aluminum hardware accents will go across the south windows in attempt to neaten up the front row of plants too (some of those will go outside once summer arrives).

Thanks for any advice! I like the minimalist look, but want to infuse some personality into the space without looking cluttered. I hope the changes I'm making will bring some cohesiveness and get back that look. But please advise if the picture rail will still be too "busy" on that wall, other options, and the best height to hang it. Thank you!! Rebecca

Featured Answer

PRO

D-Gallerie Contemporary Art Gallery

10 years ago

Hi!

The whole idea of the rails is that later on you can change the hanging art without having to open new wholes on the wall. For this reason the rails tend to go high on the wall and the wire length its what changes.

Think about this how about if in the future you want to at a vertical large piece? If the rail is too low you won't be able to do so.

Also, on the wall next to the windows are you planning on adding something there? its a large wall where a large vertical painting would look fabulous.

Hope this helped

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Comments (6)

rapacker54
Original Author
10 years ago
An amendment to the original post: I got some advice off site, to not place the rail near the barn door track. So I moved the other paintings around next to the barn door in that space, and put the rail on the wall above the stereo. Overall this works really well now. Though for the rail, I'm still not entirely certain if it should go a few inches below the ceiling, or at the top of the wall/ceiling interface, though. Thanks!
PRO
Mbs Standoffs
10 years ago
You should steer clear of mounting rails right at the top of the ceiling. Most ceilings are not true and putting a perfectly straight rail up against them draws attention to this. A few inches below is fine or some like to mount our click rails behind crown molding.
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rapacker54
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you! I hadn't thought about ceiling lines not being true.
User
10 years ago
If the rail is a practical consideration, then it just depends on what the largest painting/picture you plan on hanging. The idea of a rail is usually you plan on turning over your display on a somewhat regular basis, so this helps minimize wall damage for dedicated hanging.

If the idea is aesthetic, then maybe a 1-2 feet above the largest piece. You just have to consider composition and likely temper the height to not be too high visually above the smaller pieces and not too close to the largest, and where you want the collage centered on the wall (above eye level, at eye level).

Joe
User
10 years ago
A lot of older houses (mansions?) had picture rails as part of the crown moulding.

Joe