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
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.
Choose various coloured frames in a coordinating palette if you want to liven up a neutral environment.
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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.
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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.
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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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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.