Find the Perfect Spot to Hang Your Family Portrait
A family portrait can add beauty and life to your home. Where
you hang a portrait can either add to or take away from its
visual impact. The portrait should be hung where it can be seen,
but it shouldn't stand out like a sore thumb.
If you have the privilege of planning your family portrait
before it's taken, you can choose the portrait colors, frame and
layout based on where you plan to hang it. For portraits that
have already been taken, you can usually find a great hanging
spot in at least one room of your home.
Hang Portraits to be Seen
A family portrait is meant to be adored by your own family as
well as guests. The first choice to hang a portrait is usually
the living room or dining room, but there are other hanging
places you might not realize. Two areas often overlooked are the
entrance and hallway. These are where your guests will enter and
exit, and they'll often notice whatever is hanging on the walls.
An entrance is where your guests are first greeted by your home
decor. Why not greet them with a beautiful family portrait?
Hallways are usually dull or dark areas of the home. You can
hang a family portrait on your hallway wall and place two
decorative wall lamps on each side of the portrait to draw
attention to it. This adds light to your hallway and attracts
attention to your portrait.
Another excellent location for family portraits is the wall
along a staircase. Staircases have a natural way of highlighting
what's hanging on the walls around them. They provide additional
framing for a portrait that makes it even more attractive. If
your stairs are in an open area of the home, guests can see the
portraits even if they don't walk the stairs.
Hang Portraits Securely
No matter where you hang your family portrait, secure it well
with sturdy picture hooks, and use molly bolts for very heavy
portraits. A portrait should be secure enough to withstand any
shaking in the room or wall that could cause it to fall. When
hanging a portrait near stairs, be sure to hang it where it
won't get knocked down easily while people walk up and down the
stairs.
Recreate Old Family Portraits
If you have an old family portrait you'd like to hang on the
wall, but it's just too fragile or worn to hang, you might
consider having an oil painting made of the portrait. A skilled
artist can bring out the best in any photo. Your family portrait
is too precious to waste. You can preserve it as an oil painting
on canvas, and transform your family portrait into a treasured
work of art.