How far from the ceiling do you put a picture rail?

benjamin_jorgensen

I have seen people put picture rails about 6 inches from the ceiling. Is this the norm? I feel like it looks a little weird. I'm thinking about putting mine about 12 inches from the ceiling. What do you think?

Hiltraud344

A picture rail is a type of molding attached to the ceiling, usually near the edge of the room. It is used to hang pictures or other objects from the ceiling without damaging the plaster or drywall.

There is no standard distance from the ceiling that a picture rail must be placed, but it is typically between 6 and 12 inches from the edge of the room. The specific distance will depend on the size and type of molding used, as well as the weight of the object or picture being hung from it.

If you are unsure of the appropriate distance for your picture rail, you can consult with a professional contractor or home improvement specialist.

purpleelephant

The placement of a picture rail depends on the look you want to achieve and the ceiling height of your room. Generally, picture rails are placed between 9-13 inches from the ceiling, although it can be set any distance within reason.

For an average 8-foot ceiling, a picture rail placed 11-12 inches from the ceiling tends to look best. This will create a “border” highlighting the walls and the artwork. If you have higher ceilings, you can place it lower for more impact.

When hanging art, you can hang the artwork at any height you prefer. The higher the artwork placed on the picture rail, the greater the space between the artwork and the ceiling.

Whenever you’re in doubt, you can use a tape measure or ruler to determine the optimum placement of the picture rail, or measure the room’s height and then subtract 9 to 13 inches to get the desired placement.

Here is a useful link that might provide some useful information and help you to make the most of your picture rail.
http://www.dummies.com/home-garden/home-improvement/adding-artwork-picture-rail/