6 Beautiful Ways to Hang Your Art
These simple hanging strategies will help you get your artworks out of boxes and up where they belong
Lindsey M. Roberts
22 March 2018
I write about interior design and architecture, and take what I learn into my own home (you may find me sanding and painting a kitchen table on the weekends). You can find my articles, published in Apartment Therapy, Architect, Eco-Structure, GRAY, Preservation, The Washington Post and more, at lindseymroberts.com.
I write about interior design and architecture, and take what I learn into my own... More
Buying art or posters, or even printing out pictures, is the easy part. We’ve all been faced with the hard part that comes next: Choosing frames and mats at the art store or standing in front of a clean wall with a hammer and nail in hand. What colour frames should you choose? At what height should you hang paintings? How do you do a salon wall? The first rule is to overcome your fears. Don’t leave your art in a box for years, your walls bare. Just plunge in and get started.
1. Keep it simple
With mats and frames, the easiest thing to do is stick to the most versatile colours: White mats and black frames. Then have all your art framed the same way.
With mats and frames, the easiest thing to do is stick to the most versatile colours: White mats and black frames. Then have all your art framed the same way.
Choose various coloured frames in a coordinating palette if you want to liven up a neutral environment.
Here’s how to add pop art at home
Here’s how to add pop art at home
2. Hang pieces at eye level
Most galleries hang their art at an average eye level of about 150 centimetres high. The centre of the artwork, not the top of the piece, should be at that height. This means you need to do some math: Measure the distance between the wire and the top of the frame, and measure the height of the art and divide it in half. Measure 150 centimetres on the wall, add the measurement of half the art’s height and subtract the distance between the wire and the top of the frame. Put the nail here.
Most galleries hang their art at an average eye level of about 150 centimetres high. The centre of the artwork, not the top of the piece, should be at that height. This means you need to do some math: Measure the distance between the wire and the top of the frame, and measure the height of the art and divide it in half. Measure 150 centimetres on the wall, add the measurement of half the art’s height and subtract the distance between the wire and the top of the frame. Put the nail here.
The gallery-height guide also works for picture ledges.
Yup, salon-style galleries and art hung in a grid work well centred at eye level too.
You may need to adjust for furniture underneath so that you’re not creating an awkward large gap between the art and the sofa.
Learn how to invigorate spaces with art
Learn how to invigorate spaces with art
Adjust gallery height for the people in the house. Think about hanging art a bit lower in kids' rooms.
If a room is going to be used mostly for sitting, hang your art lower to keep it at eye level.
3. Hang art in a grid
Hanging a grid of photos is a great way to make a big statement, while still keeping the focus on the individual photos. A symmetrical grid takes some additional time and math. Have patience. Keep about 5 to 7 centimetres between frames.
Hanging a grid of photos is a great way to make a big statement, while still keeping the focus on the individual photos. A symmetrical grid takes some additional time and math. Have patience. Keep about 5 to 7 centimetres between frames.
4. Go for salon style
Start with the largest piece of art. Centre it in the middle or just off the middle, and then place the rest of the art around it in a way that pleases your eye. You can decide on a layout by laying the art on the floor until you find a solution that works, or by cutting out the shape of each piece of art in brown craft paper and taping it to the wall to test out ideas.
Start with the largest piece of art. Centre it in the middle or just off the middle, and then place the rest of the art around it in a way that pleases your eye. You can decide on a layout by laying the art on the floor until you find a solution that works, or by cutting out the shape of each piece of art in brown craft paper and taping it to the wall to test out ideas.
If you don’t have one piece of art that’s demonstrably bigger, weight the centre with darker pieces and frames.
Want to know how to display family pictures?
Want to know how to display family pictures?
Frames with no art also look great hung salon style. Find a bunch of frames at an op-shop and paint them one colour for an inexpensive custom art installation.
5. Create a singular sensation
If you have an ornate frame, give it breathing room by not hanging lots near it. Thin, slick frames are better for grids or rows.
If you have an ornate frame, give it breathing room by not hanging lots near it. Thin, slick frames are better for grids or rows.
6. Think outside the frame
Flourishes such as ribbons and hanging wire add extra character to hanging art and give it more of a traditional look.
Flourishes such as ribbons and hanging wire add extra character to hanging art and give it more of a traditional look.
Clipboards are great for hanging children’s art or art that is rotated often.
An art grouping like this may not have the lasting power of framed art, but it wins prizes for creativity.
Read more:
The Essential Guide for Art Lovers
Tell us:
How have you hung pieces of art around your home? Share images and your ideas in the Comments below.
Read more:
The Essential Guide for Art Lovers
Tell us:
How have you hung pieces of art around your home? Share images and your ideas in the Comments below.
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I make wood poster hangers that are versatile and easy to hang: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/182920422
https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/9933457/thumbs/gritty-city-goods
You can easily switch out your artwork to keep things interesting!
Another idea for hanging systems is to use a picture rail - and no, not one of those dated ones part-way down the wall, but right up at the top, hard against the ceiling cornice. Then with cord hang your pictures at the height you choose (and I agree centred on eye height) and you can easily change the position of your art as your collection grows and your tastes change, without the necessity of nails or screws damaging the walls. This is a very 'Art Gallery' way of hanging art and was also used in grand houses in the Victorian era or earlier. Still most appropriate for today!
Edge comb grey by Benjamin Moore