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How To Hang Art
Originally published 2013. Updated January 2025
What size art for where and how should I hang it? How can I create a show-stopping gallery of art as a feature? What height should my art be placed at on a wall? These questions and more are often asked of me when I’m on a consult so today I thought I would write a blog post to help you all with your art displaying and hanging. I’ve also had some help from the professionals along the way too.
If you have been working with My Decorator, your designer will have a specific height in mind for the piece as it will be in relation to the furniture that is sitting below it, or near it. Interior Designers often create groupings in a room, and art is part of this visual group. Often ensuring art hung above a lounge or hall table will still relate to the room and not be so high that it is no longer relevant to the overall look they are wanting to achieve for you.
I would also recommend opting to use our professional art installer that will professionally hang your art for you. If you are working with My Decorator this can be arranged to happen on Styling Day, when your designer will be in the room with the art installer to recommend ideal placement and height too.
If you don’t have a designer assisting you, as a guide always hang your art around eye level. Eye level when standing and seated, so it’s a little lower than what we would consider standing eye level height. Meaning that the middle of the picture should be at 1450mm from the ground. See the formula below, that Maxwell Ryan from Apartment Therapy uses to achieve this, he also says (or has heard on the grapevine) it is the formula that art galleries and museums use too.
What size art should you choose?
As a general guide choose a piece of art, or grouping of art that is narrower than the item it is sitting above. However you want to also consider scale, you don’t want to hang a small a4 piece of art above a 3 seater lounge for example you want to coordinate the visual scale of the art with that of the lounge. You also want to consider visual weight too, if you have a light coloured lounge, we wouldn’t recommend a dark piece of art. Lastly you want to take into consideration other pattern and print in the room and tie this in, along with colour scheme too.
Step by Step Guide to Hanging Your Art
A. Measure from the floor up your wall to 1450mm high and lightly mark
B. Measure artwork height and divide by 2 (this gives you the center)
C. Measure top of your picture to the tightened wire (a small amount)
D. Subtract (C) “tight wire” amount from (B) 1/2 height amount for the “to the hook” amount. This will tell you how far above 1450mm your hook should go
E. Lightly mark wall just above 1450mm with the “to the hook” amount
Example:
A. Picture is 508mm tall
B. Middle is at 254mm (this mid point should rest at 1450mm)
C. Wire comes to 50mm below the top
D. 254mm – 50mm = 203mm
E. Lightly mark 203mm above your first mark OR 1651mm on the wall
or
1450mm + 1/2 picture height minus pin to top of picture = where to place hook
How to Create a Gallery Wall
Consider grouping your art together for more impact rather than scattering the pieces on various walls around the room.
When creating a gallery of art select art that is similar in colour scheme so that it looks harmonious to the eye when it is hanging on the wall. Choose lots of different size pieces of art to make up your gallery and group the art so that they are evenly spaced but look visually appealing. You can also add three dimensional items to the mix to create more interest for the eye as well.
Be careful with the scale of your art. If you have high ceilings and large rooms you can hang larger art in your space.
Below are some tips that I have put together for clients in the past that you also may find helpful. I find the below 3M picture hanger works well as the hook is at the top meaning no matter where your canvas string or D ring is you won’t see your 3M picture hanger sticking over the top of your art work.
Art can certainly add personality to a home, but the most successful interiors come from understanding how all the elements of your home work together.
Whether you’re considering introducing more art to your home, refreshing existing spaces, or creating a clearer vision for your home as a whole, it helps to begin with a plan.
A Design Consultation is the ideal first step.
Together, we can look at how you live throughout your home, identify what is and isn’t working, and create a clear direction that supports your lifestyle, preferences and future goals.
Sometimes the biggest transformation doesn’t come from adding more. It comes from understanding what your home truly needs.
If you’re ready to create a home that feels more cohesive, functional and reflective of the way you live, click the Book a Consultation button below.
Designing with intention,
Prue
My Decorator
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For more resources related to this topic see below blog posts: