So what's the problem? Poorly hung art stands out like a bad toupee...you can't help but notice it, and you just want to fix it. So we wrote this article as a response to the many questions that came in on how to hang wall art, including:
- How to hang prints
- How to decorate with wall art
- How to hang paintings on a wall
- How to hang prints
- What to use to hang wall art
How to Hang Wall Art Tip #1: Hang Art at Eye Level
Most people have the tendency to hang artwork too high. If you take one piece of information from this article, let it be this: 57" on center. This means that the center of your art piece (not the hook) should be 57" from the floor. This 57" standard represents the average human eye height and is regularly used as a standard in many galleries and museums. It also creates balance in the home because all of your art will share a visual midline.
There are a few exceptions to this rule: If you have really low ceilings (less than 8 or 9 feet), divide the vertical length of your wall into quarters and hang your art in the third quadrant up from the floor. And if you're hanging art above a sofa, allow for 8-10 inches above the sofa back, even if this breaks the 57" rule. Also be mindful of the space between your art and where the wall meets the ceiling.
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Haze Painting
Malinda Illustration
Layla PaintingHow to Hang Wall Art Tip #2: Balance the Scales
If you're working with a collection of art, it's important to treat that collection or gallery as one piece to achieve a balanced look. First, make sure your collection is neither too large nor too small in relation to your sofa or sideboard. We want the just right, Goldilocks effect here. For a single piece of artwork, the art should be two-thirds the size of the sofa or sideboard.
If you are hanging multiple pieces in a gallery wall, try hanging the heavier pieces on the bottom left and the lighter pieces on the upper right with mid-sized pieces placed in between. Or, if you have one large piece and a few smaller pieces, hang the large piece toward the middle as a focal point and go from there. Leave 2-5 inches between each frame for proper spacing. Insider tip: Use low-adhesive tape to keep spacing consistent between frames. And if all of this seems overwhelming, don't fret! Our Kathy Kuo Studio team can help you create a perfectly proportioned gallery wall and a beautifully styled home.
How to Hang Wall Art Tip #3: Don't Shy Away From Salon Style
The salon style art hanging method involves hanging art in a dense arrangement, nearly all the way from the floor to the ceiling. This look for wall art could be one of the most adored and admired features of a space... if it weren't so intimidating! How do you create a look you like without putting a ton of extra holes in your wall? The arrangement should really be to your (or your client's) personal liking, but remember to follow the general guidelines outlined in Tip #2 above for multiple pieces. Salon style also works best when you mix and match multiple types of wall hangings, from paintings to prints to photos to text pieces to wall sculptures!
Our last piece of salon style advice: Use craft paper and low-adhesive tape to plan out the arrangement on the wall and help determine nail placement.
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Selah Painting
Freya Painting
Nova PaintingHow to Hang Wall Art Tip #4: Be Off the Walls
Don't have the time or patience for a salon style gallery wall? Design differently and place wall art in unexpected places. Don't limit yourself to walls! Floating wall shelves are the new gallery wall! Try layering multiple pieces for an interesting and multidimensional approach. And if you have a very large art piece, consider propping it against the wall instead of hanging it for a more relaxed and contemporary look.
How to Hang Wall Art Tip #5: Follow the Shape of the Wall
Another common mistake we see is when art is just way too small for the space. Big art can be an intimidating buy (and an investment), but generally the art you hang should be in the same shape and orientation as the wall it's trying to fill.
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Raphael Illustration
Thane Painting
Alana PaintingHow to Hang Wall Art Tip #6: Avoid Kitchen Kitsch
We don't know about you, but when we're cooking in the kitchen, the last thing we want to see up on our wall is an artsy rendition of fresh, dewy asparagus sprinkled with parmesan. It's a bit much, and let's face it, the artwork will probably look better than our home cooking. (Fun fact: Fruits and veggies shot for food photography are usually coated in hairspray to give some extra shine.) So what kind of art deserves a place in the kitchen? We love vintage or modern pieces, depending on the kitchen design. An additional tip: If you want artwork in the kitchen, be careful not to hang it anywhere it can become damaged by water or heat.How to Hang Artwork on Your Wall: Tip #7: Use Frames Wisely
Don't neglect the frame when thinking about your focal piece of artwork; always consider that the art will serve as a wall anchor. Whether you go modern with monochromatic frames or you mix and match different vintage-style frames and picture hangers, your framing can bring just as much style and personality to a space as the artwork itself.
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Maeve Tapestry Malinda Illustration
Ashby Painting
