Three Simple Rules for Hanging Art
Three Simple Rules for Hanging Art
Whether you’ve collected your first work or your 20th, there is always that lingering question: “How do I go about hanging art?”
For starters, there’s one simple, essential guideline you should definitely keep in mind when hanging art—always display the artwork’s center 57 inches from the floor. That’s a tip our gallery professionals use almost every day. But there are a few other tips related to the 57-inch rule that will make the difficult task of hanging art a whole lot easier.
Follow these 3 easy rules for hanging art, your home will look like a professional art gallery in no time.
How to Hang Art Easily At Home
1. Hang Your Art By Its Center
The artwork’s center should be 57 inches from the ground to match average eye level.
People shouldn’t strain themselves to view the artwork. By placing the center of the artwork at eye level, it ensures the art can be admired comfortably.
Let’s use this beautiful framed painting by Marcel Mouly (“Interieur au Bourgeois”) as our example.
The art’s focal point should be at the 57-inch mark. This is not where it will hang from, so you will need to determine where to place the hangers.
Measure the artwork’s height and divide by 2 to find the artwork’s center.
The first step is to measure 57 inches from the floor and mark it on the wall. Next, find the focal point of the artwork by measuring its height and dividing by two. In this case, the Mouly and its frame are 34 inches tall, making its focal point 17 inches.
The red line indicates the measurement from a tightened hanging wire to the top of the frame.
Measure the top of the artwork to the tightened hanging wire or hook it will hang from. Subtract this number from the focal point number. For the Mouly, the hanging wire is 10 inches from the top of the frame. We subtract 10 inches from 17 inches to get 7 inches.
The measurement from the 57-inch line to where the hanger should be mounted.
Take the new number and measure that distance above the 57-inch mark. This is where the hanger should be placed, so mark this spot. With the Mouly, it would be 7 inches above the 57-inch mark, meaning the artwork will actually hang 64 inches from the floor. By doing so, the artwork’s center will be at 57 inches.
2. Adjust Rule #1 When Hanging Art Close to Furniture or Mantles
Photo courtesy of Kelley
When hanging artwork above furniture, mantles, or other obstructions, the eye level rule doesn’t always apply.
The bottom of the frame should be between six to eight inches above the top of the feature. In these cases, it’s acceptable to go higher than the 57-inch guideline if need be.
The artwork should also relate space-wise to furniture, meaning a small work of art hanging six inches above a long couch won’t look right. However, a large work of art or multiple works would look great.
3. Treat Multiple Works of Art as One Unit
Framed artwork by Peter Max.
When hanging multiple works of art, treat each work in the collection as if it were one work of art. Anchoring multiple works around the 57-inch focal point will help the collection appear balanced. The ideal spacing between multiple artworks is 3 to 6 inches.
The 57-inch number is a good average height, but if your eye level is different, be sure to use that measurement when hanging art. Every scenario is different, so at the end of the day, make sure you love the way your art is displayed.
Common Mistakes To Avoid when Hanging Art
1. Hanging Art Too High
When art sits too high, it’s harder to appreciate and feels out of place. Remember to aim for a 57-inch center point. This keeps artwork at a comfortable eye level that fits naturally into your space.
2. Choosing Art That’s Too Small
Small works of art can get lost on large walls and make the space feel empty. A good rule to keep in mind is the ⅔ rule, which suggests that artwork should be roughly ⅔ the width of the furniture beneath it. This ensures that each piece of art feels proportional to the surrounding spa and is visually grounded. If you prefer smaller works, you may want to consider creating a gallery arrangement to fill out the excess space.
3. Improper Hardware
Using the wrong hardware will not only make the picture hanging process needlessly complicated, but it can also lead to damaged walls, crooked frames, or artwork that doesn’t stay securely in place. Make sure you’re using hardware that matches both the weight of the artwork and the type of wall you’re working with. Lastly, keep a level, tape measure, and stud finder on hand. It makes hanging pictures much easier.
4. Ignoring Spacing and Alignment
Spacing is so important to make sure your artwork or gallery display looks intentional and polished. Artwork placed too far apart looks awkward and disconnect, too close together can feel cluttered. Aim for three to six inches of space between pieces, and keep alignment consistent by centering everything around the same visual height or anchor point.
5. Forgetting About Lighting
Even beautiful art can fall flat without the right lighting. Harsh overhead lights can cause a glare, while dim lighting can hide detail and color. When possible, use soft lighting such as picture lights, track lighting, or wall washers to highlight your artwork and make a full visual impact.
LEARN MORE TIPS FOR HOW TO HANG ART:
If you’re interested in building up your own art collection—or if you’re just sick of staring at blank walls—register for our weekly live online auction. You can contact our gallery consultants at (800) 521-9654 ext. 4 during business hours or at sales@parkwestgallery.com. They are experts at helping people find the perfect work of art.
Picture Hanging FAQ
What is the 57 rule for hanging art?
The 57-inch rule is a common interior-design guideline stating that the center of the artwork should hang at 57 inches from the floor. This height roughly matches the average human eye level and is used by galleries and designers to create visually balanced, comfortable viewing.
What is the 2/3 rule for hanging art?
The ⅔ rule for hanging art is a guideline to help determine the appropriate size of artwork to hang above furniture. According to this rule, artwork should be about two-thirds the width of the furniture below it. To follow this rule, first measure the width of the furniture. Then, multiply the furniture’s width by 0.67. That specific number is the recommended width for any artwork or gallery arrangement placed above that particular piece of furniture.
What is the least damaging way to hang pictures?
While adhesive strips (ex. Command strips) typically cause the least amount of damage to walls, they are not the strongest option, especially for heavier frames or textured walls. When hanging art, we recommended using pin hooks, nails, anchors, or screws to secure artwork to walls. These options provide significantly better support and reduce the risk of artwork falling (when chosen appropriately relative to size). Nails and pin hooks support moderate-weight art and cause minimal damage to drywall that can easily be patched. Anchors and screws create larger holes and more damage, but are the most secure and absolutely necessary for heavy, oversized pieces.
How high should art be hung?
Ideally, art should be hung at eye level. This can be achieved by making sure the center of each piece sits 57 inches from the floor. This height aligns with the average person’s eye line and creates a balanced, comfortable look in most spaces.
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