Guide to Hanging Artwork
How to Position Art
Height:
Hang your art at average standing eye-level, about 5' 6" from
the floor. For a large piece, hang so the center of the art is about 5' from the floor. In rooms used more for sitting, hang
art lower -- closer to sitting eye-level, if possible. Be sure to allow at least 6' when hanging art directly over furniture.
Ideally, hang your art high enough to avoid crowding the furniture, yet low enough to enjoy the full effect. For multiple
pieces, try visually dividing the wall into thirds and hanging your art on the lower two-thirds.
Proportion:
Generally, large art balances large
furniture, and small art balances small furniture -- but don't be afraid to mix things up. When hanging art over a piece of
furniture with a curved back, try arranging several pieces to follow the lines of the furniture.
Spacing:
When hanging several pieces together,
keep at least 2' apart. An odd-numbered grouping tends to look better.
Step-by-Step Hanging
1. Determine where you want to hang your artwork.
2. Measure your
piece to locate the center.
3. Mark the wall where you want to install the hanger -- don't forget to account for the drop
of the wire.
4. If you are hanging several pieces as a group, it may be helpful to arrange them on a table or floor first
and sketch a guide to keep track of where you want to hang each piece.
5. Determine the weight of your art and use picture
hangers specifically for that weight. If you need two hangers for a large or heavy piece, use a level to hang them evenly.
You may want to secure hooks in wall studs or use special drywall hangers. Consider a two-piece nail-and-hook, or a one-piece
hook with a disk that keeps the straight part from going through the wall.
6. For brick walls, use masonry screws made
especially for that purpose.
7. For plaster walls, use molding hooks.
8. For picture rail moldings (run across the wall,
near the ceiling; typically found in older homes), use molding hook or S-hook hardware, decorative chain, and cording.
