Ask the Expert: How Should I Hang My Art?

At Vivid, we talk a lot about art. Different styles, various influences, even how to light art. But we haven’t talked much about how to best hang art, and it’s a question we’ve received often. How to hang art properly is important knowledge for anyone who owns artwork because, really, what is art without it being visible and presented properly on a wall? Below, we’ll break down the art hanging process into several categories.

Basics/Supplies:

What do you need to hang art besides a blank wall and a piece of art that fits in the space? Well, there are a few basic supplies you’ll need: a hammer, a measuring tape, a pencil, and hanging hardware. In addition, a level is a good investment to ensure that when you’re finished, the painting is hanging straight. Also, be sure to look to see what hanging setup the painting has on its back – a wire, D-Rings, or something else, such as a sawtooth hanger.

Generally speaking, we suggest hanging art with a picture hanger. They are sold in various sizes corresponding to the weight of the piece being hung. For lightweight works, a simple single picture hanger will do. For works that are a bit heavier, we advise using a double picture hanger. If the piece is wider than 40 inches, you might want to use two single picture hangers so that the piece will not move on the wall, requiring constant adjustment. For the heaviest pieces, we recommend using D-Rings rather than wire, which can break, and either heavy duty picture hangers or an anchor screwed into the wall.

We’re also here to help. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!

Location on the Wall:

There are a few overarching “rules” for where a piece of art should be placed. Generally, it should be centered in the wall space. So, let’s say you have a 100-inch wall and a 70-inch wide painting. This leaves 30 inches remaining on the wall, uncovered by the painting. In this scenario, since 15 is half of 30, we would suggest having 15 inches of wall space on either side of the 70-inch painting.

But there are exceptions to this “rule.” A painting hung off to the side over a table or fireplace can look very modern and allow for decorative objects to be grouped to one side without blocking the artwork.

Another rule involves the height of a painting on a wall. Generally speaking, the center of a painting should be 57 inches above the ground, as this is the average height of the human eye. However, we have suggested between 57 and 60 inches, as some walls – and people! – are taller than others.

Once you’ve identified and marked where the top of the painting should be on the wall, measure the distance from the wire or D-Rings to the top of the painting. Then make a mark on the wall that will be where the bottom of the hook should be. Do this correctly and you won’t have to re-hang the piece! Something to think about during this part of the process is that you won’t be hanging a piece from the very top; it will usually be a few inches, or even as much as 25% from the top of the painting. So, plan to place the hook above the 57-60 inch mark.

Hanging the Artwork:

After you’ve done all of your pre-work, it’s time to actually hang the piece. Once you’ve put the picture hanger in the wall, place the artwork on the hook and ensure that it is straight using the level. If it is not, adjust until the air bubble is directly in the middle of the level. Once this occurs, you’re done!

While the actual hanging process is not that difficult, being prepared and knowing exactly what to do can be a bit more challenging. Identifying your materials, deciding exactly where the piece should go, and knowing what to do and what not to do will set you up to successfully hang your artwork. Then, enjoy the piece in the space you’ve chosen!

Gallery Walls:

But what if you’re looking to hang multiple pieces at different heights on the same wall? Good question. We suggest that every gallery wall should begin with a central piece to subsequently build around. We recommend that this piece should be the one that is centered 57-60 inches above the ground, with the other pieces in the gallery wall above and below it to create a balanced, consistent group of artworks. For more information on creating a gallery wall, please read our post on building one here.

What To Avoid:

Lastly, we have a few suggestions of things to avoid when hanging art. One of the most important considerations is determining if the painting will be exposed to direct sunlight over the course of a day. Direct sunlight can damage artworks, particularly watercolors and works on paper. Another consideration is the surrounding environment. For example, a kitchen or bathroom may not be the best place for certain pieces, particularly those not behind glass or some other type of covering.

Ask the Expert: How Should I Hang My Art?

Ask the Expert: How Should I Hang My Art?

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