Picture placement along stairway

13 years ago

This is a small, technical question. I have a set of four pictures that I would like to mount along my stairway. The question I have is pretty basic. Do I 1) mount them evenly from the handrail for symmetry or 2) make them increasingly farther from the handrail so that the top picture hangs high enough for those descending the stairs?

I have attached pictures showing the pictures mounted approximately evenly from the handrail (eye-balled it - I will measure if that is the decision.) I also have a picture from the top of the stair showing that the top picture would hang lower than I would normally want a picture to hang (not totally at eye level.) Does it matter? So the question is - which takes precedence - the bottom of the stairs or the top of the stairs? I'm thinking the bottom of the stairs is more important because that is the main entrance to the house.

Thanks in advance for any opinions!

PS The pictures are a study of pattern that my great aunt painted. She lived to be 106!

Featured Answer

libradesigneye

13 years ago

I think what you did with them is perfect. They don't need to be eye level for people at top of stair, because you will look at them when ascending / descending. The only advice I have is to choose the bottom color based on accents in adjacent rooms, and top color same. Any order, these are neat and I think the stairway / entry hall is the perfect place for this kind of texture and color that is personal.

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Comments (7)

A Aguirre
Original Author
13 years ago
I think the last post had a duplicate picture. This is the one from the top of the stair showing the floor.
PRO
Barnhart Gallery
13 years ago
abigail -- You had an awesome great aunt! I love those! I think they look a little too spread out going down the stairs and have more impact as a single unit, like you've shown us in a row. Perhaps they could go in a row or grid somewhere else? I'd suggest the stairwall you're facing going downstairs, but you'd deprive all of your downstairs-only visitors. If you do choose the wall you're thinking about, then I'd go equal distances to the handrail. And I'd get these on spoonflower and make some pillows, curtain panel edging, placemats....send us a link if you do!
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felixgrantham
13 years ago
Is there no wall in your house with enough area to hang all 4 together - even considering 2 above & 2 below if not all 4 in a row? I think it's kind of a shame to break them up like this.

If that's not an option,
Entry to house would take precedence - hang at eye level, but spacing in between the pictures needs to be even, so you may need to hang the bottom picture further up the stairs that shown here.
One other option - hang bottom 2 pictures side by side, then stagger 2 on remainder of stair.
PRO
A Crew of Two
13 years ago
Love them!! But, I worry that as you use the handrail they will be knocked off the wall. Can you put them on the other wall or will they be hidden then. These need to be showcased. As far as placement they should go at eye level if your only hanging these 4- but that is just my opinion. On a true gallery wall you can vary the heights.
PRO
CMR Interiors & Design Consultations Inc.
13 years ago
Good going!
A Aguirre
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you for your comments! I'll post a picture once they are hung. Won't be until next week though.