How to Arrange Posters on a Wall

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Posters make attractive, inexpensive wall art in any type of home. Framing posters keeps them pristine and gives them a more tailored, neater appearance. Choose a subject matter that ties in with the room, complements your decorating style or has an aesthetic value or theme that appeals to you.

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When working with a collection of posters the same size, use a symmetrical arrangement. The best layout depends on the size of the posters, the number of posters, and the size of the wall. For even numbers such as four, six or eight, use a square or rectangular grid pattern. Space the posters evenly, no less than 1 inch apart and no more than 6 inches apart. The center of the grouping should be about 60 to 66 inches from the floor.

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If you have an odd number, use a horizontal row; vertical rows look best on narrow walls. Two posters typically look best hung side-by-side unless the wall is narrow. An even number of posters can also be hung in a horizontal row if you like that look better.

Varying Poster Sizes

Framed posters of different sizes look best in asymmetrical groupings. You may even want to search for posters in varying sizes, with both vertical and horizontal orientations, to create a more dynamic look. You can also use one or two posters to anchor a gallery wall of mixed framed art pieces and photos.

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Make a Template

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure

  • Roll of craft paper

  • Painter's tape

  • Level

  • Pencil

  • Picture hangers with nails

  • Hammer

Step 1: Measure

Measure the area of the wall on which you plan to hang the posters. Tape a few sheets of craft paper together to represent the wall. Lay the taped paper on the floor.

Step 2: Design

Lay out all of your posters on the floor. Choose two large posters as the anchoring focal point and place them in the center of the paper, staggering the frames. Fill in the space on both sides of the anchor frames with small- and medium-sized posters or framed art, arranging them together like a puzzle. Keep the same visual weight on each side of the center frames for a balanced display. Once you are happy with the arrangement, trace around the frames with a pencil. Take a picture with your cellphone to refer back to as needed.

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Step 3: Mark

Measure the distance from the top of the poster frame to the hanging hardware on the back. Pull picture wire taut in the middle as if you're hanging the frame on a hook. Mark this spot on the craft paper for each frame so you know exactly where to put the picture hanger nail.

Step 4: Hang

Use painter's tape to attach the craft paper template to the wall. Hammer a picture hanger nail in each marked spot on the paper. Remove the tape and gently tear the paper off of the nails. Hang the posters and framed art, referring back to the picture you took if necessary.

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Warning

Picture hangers are metal hooks that come with nails. The nail slides through two holes at an angle before being you hammer it into the wall. Picture hangers in drywall can safely hold framed art up to 20 pounds. Framed art weighing 20 to 40 pounds should be hung with plastic wall anchors and screws. Anything over 40 pounds requires a toggle or molly bolt.

A Center Line

Another option for hanging posters of varying size or two rows of the same size is to arrange them above and below a horizontal center line. Using the 60- to 66-inch guideline to center a grouping of posters, measure and mark the wall at 63 inches up from the floor. Lightly draw a center line using a level and pencil. Align the bottoms of the frames in the top row 1 inch above the center line. Align the tops of the frames in the bottom row 1 inch below the center line.

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Additional Display Tips

Group posters together that share a common theme or a similar color scheme. Repeat an accent color in the room or an adjoining room with various shades of that color in the posters.

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Hang movie posters in horizontal rows in a media or game room, just as you would see in a movie theater. A gallery wall of vintage travel posters in a home office provides incentive for your next vacation. Vintage food and drink advertorial posters work well as kitchen or dining room art. A large, oversized poster mounted over a sofa or behind a dining table becomes an instant focal point.

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