5 Tips for Hanging Artwork

09 Mar 5 Tips for Hanging Artwork

Imagine your significant other’s family is planning a visit for the first time, and you want to make a good impression. Recently, you bought some magnificent pieces of artwork that you know would really add some “WOW!” to your living room.

You start to hang the artwork on your wall with excitement, eagerly anticipating the final look. A little while later, your art wall is complete. You take a step back to admire your work… and realize it did not turn out the way you had hoped.

But don’t worry! There is still time to make adjustments so your wall looks perfect.

Here are our top five tips for hanging art in a way that will make your room stand out with elegance and style.

Hang at Eye Level

We’ll start with the golden rule: hang artwork at eye level.

Many people tend to hang artwork too high rather than at eye level. Another common mistake is that many people measure for eye level based on the hook. In reality, you should measure based on the center of your artwork.

So what exactly is eye level since everyone varies in height? Eye level for your artwork can range anywhere between 57” to 60” from the floor, as this is the average eye-level height.

There are two exceptions to this rule:

1. If you have a low ceiling of 8 feet or under, divide your wall evenly into four horizontal sections from the floor to the ceiling. You should hang your art in the third horizontal section up from the bottom.
2. If you are hanging artwork above a sofa or piece of furniture, hang the art about one hand’s width above the sofa or furniture, or approximately nine (9) inches.

Again, the most important thing to remember is to never hang your artwork too high.

Be Aware of Your Background

White walls are a typical background that can complement most artwork, but what do you do if that’s not the case for your walls?

Some walls are textured, and some are painted in different colors. When hanging your artwork, the artwork’s colors must complement the colors and textures of the wall. This can really make the art stand out.

If you do not take your wall background into consideration, the colors or texture of the wall can drown out your amazing piece of artwork.

Think About Your Wall Shape and Size

You should also consider the size of the wall when deciding what to hang and where to hang it. Many people make the common mistake of hanging a small piece of artwork on a large wall, or, vice versa, hanging a large piece of artwork on a small wall.

In addition to your wall size, you should also consider the wall shape. Ideally, the artwork shape should match the shape and orientation of the wall. This keeps the wall and artwork consistent with each other for a more elegant look.

Consider Your Framing 

When hanging your artwork, you are not just hanging the piece of art — you’re also hanging the frame that accompanies it. Your framing can draw as much attention to your art as the artwork itself.

Custom framing and professional framing are both powerful ways to showcase your artwork or your art wall. The customized framing touch can help your room stand out and create that “WOW” moment when you walk into the room.

At Medart, our team of experienced framing designers can help you with the customization process and create the perfect frame for your artwork!

Spacing is Important

When hanging multiple pieces of art on the same wall, spacing is another crucial factor to take into consideration. We suggest planning everything out before making any final decisions.

Painter’s tape is a clever tool you can use to create a general wall layout and envision the spacing of your artwork prior to hanging it. For medium to larger pieces, consider about 3 inches of spacing between them. For smaller pieces of artwork, consider placing them about 2 inches apart.

These five tips for hanging artwork can really make your room and pieces of art stand out with elegance! To add a special framing touch to your artwork, contact us today or visit our gallery. We look forward to servicing you and building a long-lasting relationship!