A Pro’s Tips for Hanging Art in Your Home
Not surprisingly, the number one question I am asked by clients is how to best hang artwork or pictures on the walls of their home. It can be tempting to just “eyeball it,” but I wouldn’t recommend that approach.
Whether you are moving into a new home, or you’re simply looking to freshen up your space with some new pictures, it’s essential to do some planning before you start putting holes in your walls. Trust me; it will save you a lot of hassle after the fact!
We’ve all made mistakes when hanging décorations on our walls, and then had to think of ways to cover up all the pinholes that are left behind. If you want to do it right from the start, there are many factors to consider, such as how many pieces of art you are hanging, the size of the art, other furniture and décor in the room, the size of the walls, and the room, and more.
Common Mistakes & Tips to Avoid Them
Here are some of the most common mistakes I see, and some simple tips to help you avoid them altogether.
Hanging art at the wrong height.
This is by far the most common mistake I see when it comes to hanging art. It can be tricky to know what the right height for a painting or picture is. As a general rule, when hanging single, large pieces of art, it is best to hang them so the center is about 5 feet from the floor.
Hanging art too close or too far above the furniture.
When hanging art amongst other décor and/or furniture, there are additional things to consider. For example, when hanging artwork or mirrors above a console, vanity, or another piece of furniture, the piece should be hung approximately 4 inches above the furniture.
Hanging art that is too big for the space.
Another common mistake - choosing a piece of art that is larger than the furniture it will be hanging above. For example, when hanging art over a sofa, sideboard, or console, the size of the art should be approximately 2/3 the width of the furniture.
Not matching the shape of the art to the shape of the wall.
It’s important to always consider the shape of the wall when choosing where to hang your art. For example, horizontal art (or multiple vertical pieces in a row) should be hung on wider, horizontal walls, while vertical art will look much better on taller and narrower walls.
Not filling the wall space or trying to fit too many pieces on small wall space.
When decorating walls with multiple sizes and shapes of arts, you’ll want to consider the scale of the art in relation to the wall space. For example, larger pieces will fill your walls much more easily. If you have several smaller pieces you want to place on larger walls, you’ll want to make sure they are grouped together and spaced out appropriately.
Not spacing groups of artwork appropriately.
When hanging groupings of artwork, the center of the grouping should be 5 feet above the floor, and the space between them should be approximately 2 inches.
Mismatching themes and frames (without intention) for a gallery wall.
When creating a gallery wall, it is best to use photos or art with similar backgrounds or themes and frames, unless you want an eclectic look. In that case, you can absolutely mix up your frames and themes; just make sure it’s intentional.
*Bonus tip for creating a gallery wall: Trace the frames of the pictures being used; using painter’s tape, arrange them on the wall first to create your layout.
If you’re looking to make your house feel a little more like you, decorating with framed photos and art are a great way to do just that. Follow these tips to hanging artwork, and your house will feel more like a home in no time. Need help? I’d love to help you bring your dream space life.