How to Hang Art
You’ve gathered all your picture hanging stuff together; measured, calculated and finally have your pictures hung on the wall ….but they don’t look right! Has this ever hapened to you? Here’s a brief overview how to display your art so it looks like a pro did it.
HOW HIGH?
In a hallway or entry, hang wall art at average standing eye level, about 5′ 6″ from the floor. For a large piece, hang so the center of the piece is about 5′ from the floor. In the living and dining room you will likely be seated, hang wall accents closer to sitting eye level. Allow at least 6′ when hanging art directly above a sofa or dining table. It should be high enough to avoid crowding the furniture, yet low enough to enjoy the full effect. When hanging two or more works together, mentally divide the wall in thirds and position the art within the lower two-thirds.
PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION
Generally, large works of art balance large pieces of furniture and vice versa, but don’t be afraid to mix things up. A straight line isn’t always desirable: Try hanging several works above a sofa with a curved back, following the curve in positioning the art. When grouping wall art, separate them by at least 2″. An odd-numbered grouping (3, 5, etc.) tends to be more pleasing to the eye then a symmetrical even-numbered arrangement.
HAMMER TIME
- Decide where you want to hang the art.
- Measure artwork to locate its center.
- Mark the wall where you want the hanger, and don’t forget to account for the “drop” of the wire.
- For a groupings, arrange the pieces on a table or floor 1st, then sketch an outline you can follow when hanging the art on the wall.
- Use hangers specifically designed for the weight of art piece. A large or heavy piece may require two hangers.
- Use a carpenter’s level to make sure the art pieces are aligned.
- Use wall studs or special drywall hangers for added strength and security.
To hang art from picture-rail molding (near the ceiling, typically in older homes), use molding hooks, S-hook hardware, and a decorative chain or cording.
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