How to hang art is an art in itself. Problems in the hanging game are plentiful: Too high. Too low. Not level. Not to scale. In the interior design process where so many choices are about feeling and gut, hanging art is one part of that process that revels in precision and scale. If you want to deck the walls like an expert, here are our 7 top tips for hanging art in your home.
1. Hang Art At Its Sweet Spot
Art should generally be hung at eye level — in your field of vision where it feels most comfortable and approachable. This tends to mean that a piece of artwork's center point is about 57-60" from the floor.
2. Treat Furniture And Art As A Complete Element
When you're hanging art above a piece of furniture, treat them like they're both part of a complete element. Your art should ideally be hung 4-6" above the piece of furniture — close but not touching. In this way, the art and furniture can work together as a group rather than separately as arbitrary pieces.
3. Consider Scale
One of the most common things we see is art that's under-sized. Pieces that are too small look underwhelming on a wall and have a way of making the whole space feel unfinished.
Our go-to measurement is that art should be at least 2/3rds the width of whatever piece it's residing over. So, for example, a sideboard that is 90" wide would be best served with artwork that's about 60" wide.
4. Think Of A Grouping As One Big Picture.
Consider a grouping of images or a gallery wall as one big piece of artwork. Multiple pieces can achieve the same footprint and scale balance as one large piece.
5. Tape It Up / Lay It Out
Unsure of your gallery wall composition? Use painter's tape and create a diagram on the wall of how your final product will look. Or use paper cutouts and imagine it on the floor. Mocking up your design will aid you in visualizing the space without having the pesky predicament of unnecessary holes in the wall should you need to make some shifts.
6. Start With The Largest Pieces
If you are hanging multiple pieces, start with the largest piece first. It will ground your composition (ideally at that 57" sweet spot), and you can fill it out from there.
7. Be Precise With Spacing
If there's one thing we're here for, it's harmony. Even if your artwork utilizes different frames and different sizes, you can create balance with spacing. Be precise with the white space between each piece of art so the full picture is cohesive and pleasing.
Creating a beautiful space is all about selecting the right ingredients and knowing how to use them. Find out how Mayker's Furnishing Service can help you furnish & style a space you love.
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