How to Hang Art Like a Pro

The 3 Biggest mistakes people make when hanging art & BONUS Tips from the professionals

Have you ever wondered if you’re hanging your art at the right height? Or if it’s the right size for the space? You’re not alone.

If you are going to hang or install art yourself, you can avoid some of the biggest mistakes by simply following these three steps. On the blog today I’m sharing the top 3 mistakes you can avoid when hanging art yourself.

Mistake #1 - HANGING ART TOO HIGH or TOO LOW

This is probably the most common mistake. It may seem silly, but even a piece of art hung a few inches too high can make a whole room feel “off”.

Pictures should be hung at eye level — not too high, not too low.

• place the center of your art piece 57″ from the floor. Leave at least a 3-inch to 6-inch gap between the top of your sofa and the bottom of the picture frame.

• If you want to hang a picture above furniture, make sure the bottom of the frame is about 6-12 inches above the sofa/bed.

• If you want to hang a gallery wall, you can still use the 57 inches rule, just measure the entire collection of frames as the height and width.

Mistake #2: YOUR ART IS TOO SMALL FOR THE SPACE

Don’t choose art too small for the space or the wall you want to hang it! It’ll make the whole room feel like it’s out of scale and out of balance.

There’s No magic set of measurements that will guide you in choosing art the right size; you’ll have to rely heavily on the the eyeball method.

• Try experimenting with proportions by hanging up a large piece of paper, pillowcase, or a sheet, and see what size feels comfortable.

Don’t be afraid to put a couple of pieces (or more) of artwork together. Alternatively, try moving that piece to a more intimate location, like a hallway, bathroom or small nook

Mistake #3: YOUR ART ISN’T SECURED PROPERLY!

I’ve made this mistake so many times! Using a small finishing nail or 3M strips - in hopes that the art will last forever.  Inevitably it falls crashing to the ground or gets knocked off kilter dangling on the wire and you just can’t get it straight again!

Do a quick check of your art. Is the hook in securely? Is the hook the right strength for the weight of the art? Do you have enough hooks? Is the hanging wire attached well? Is there a piece of art that’s constantly tilting or doesn’t look flush with the wall? If you aren’t confident - Hire a professional installer!

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BONUS TIPS from our Professional Install team at ARTSTALL

Gallery walls....

A great gallery wall looks as though they were effortlessly hung on the wall, but in reality lots of thought ends to go into the right sizes and placement. Start by finding an open area on the floor that is at least the size of the wall in which you want to cover. Play around with the items like a puzzle. Remember there is no right answer, but avoid grouping pieces that are too similar in size. Instead try to break up any pairs to different areas of the grouping. A single larger item may be a good focal point in the centre.

You don’t always need a STUD

It’s a common misconception to think that every piece being installed must 'hit a stud'. While securing hardware into a wood stud has its advantages, it can compromise the ideal location of where a piece should be hung, and it's more often than not quite unnecessary to do so based on the weight of the piece being hung. A typical picture frame if light enough to be carried by one person effortlessly will not require a stud for strength in a drywall or concrete surface. Large, heavy mirrors or large-scale paintings with heavier frames on the other hand, do often require support into studs and will likely need a cleat installed to ensure the security of the piece and the safety of those around it.  If this is the case this might be a job for the Pro’s.

It doesn’t always have to be level!

There is nothing worse than a crooked picture! Be aware that some of the surrounding architectural or decorative features (i.e. crown molding, wall sconces, air vents) may not be perfectly level and this might throw you off a little. My team and I all too often need to install a piece that’s technically crooked to match the sloping mantle or crooked door frame.