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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 8-9′), 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.
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 couch or sideboard. We want the just right, Goldilocks effect here: The artwork should be two-thirds the size of the couch or sideboard. If you are hanging multiple pieces in a group, make sure the heavier pieces are at the bottom left and the lighter pieces are at 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 5-10 cm 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!
The gallery wall 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 personal liking, but remember to follow the general guidelines outlined in Tip #2 above for multiple pieces. A gallery wall 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!
If you are concerned about how the gallery wall will look in your space, use newspaper to create a layout of the art pieces you are considering using.
Don’t have the time or patience for a gallery wall? Design your space 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.
When hanging art or picture frames for that fact, don’t neglect the frame, especially in your livening room. Art in your living room will always serve as the anchor of the wall and often the space. 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.
