Hanging art doesn’t have to be complicated! Let us show you 5 common mistakes when hanging wall art so you can avoid them yourself and know how to hang art the right way.
Art work is one of the best ways to personalize and beautify your home… but, as any interior designer will tell you, wall art hung incorrectly can throw off the entire balance of a space.
Today I’m sharing five common mistakes people make when trying to hang wall art so you can avoid them and hang your pictures like a pro.
5 COMMON MISTAKES WHEN HANGING ARTWORK
MISTAKE #1: HANGING ART TOO HIGH
Ever wonder how high to hang art work? It’s probably lower than you think. Art should be hung with the center at eye level, which is 57-60” on average.
Does ceiling height matter when hanging art? It can, but the rule of thumb still stands. For most common ceiling heights, 57 inches high will feel right and be most enjoyable. For extra tall ceilings, you may just need to up-scale your art choices (see mistake #2!).
Is the rule the same when hanging multiple pieces of art? Yes! But when you hang a gallery wall, you want to treat the collection of images as a single piece and center the collection at 57-60” high.
What height should you hang art above furniture? Hanging art above beds or buffets can affect the ideal height, obviously. Just remember that you still want to target centering the artwork at eye level, but you want at least 10” or so between the furniture and art, so adjust accordingly.
MISTAKE #2: IGNORING SCALE
Ever thought your favorite picture would be perfect for the blank wall above your living room sofa, only to hang it and discover that it looks like a postage stamp by comparison? That’s a scale problem.https://2a8bff1050241593002c9ab0bf2305b1.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
In general, an image (or a collection of images if you are hanging a gallery wall) should be approximately 2/3 of the width of the sofa or sideboard beneath it. This will create a focal point while balancing the proportions of the space.
Scale is also relevant on a wall without any furniture. If the wall is huge, don’t hang a single 8×10 picture frame. Make the art (or collection of art) proportional to the size of the wall or space.
MISTAKE #3: FORGETTING ABOUT GLARE
Many forms of wall art – photographs, prints, even framed art objects like rugs – are often protected behind glass. But if you are placing this artwork in a room with lots of windows or lights, don’t forget about the glare those can produce.
It’s a shame to hang art you love and never see it behind the glare on the glass. If glare may be a problem, consider hanging canvas art instead or getting non-glare glass for your frames.
MISTAKE #4: THINKING IT’S TOO EXPENSIVE
It is true that original artwork can cost a pretty penny (and should to reward the artist for his or her work!). But there are plenty of affordable art options at any budget.
Consider painting your own canvas. Or use your own images in affordable frames, either in color or black and white.
Or printing vintage artwork at your local print shop.
Don’t ever believe the lie that you can’t find and create beautiful art at an affordable price!
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MISTAKE #5: MAKING IT HARDER THAN IT SHOULD BE
Sometimes people hanging art worry about putting too many holes in your wall or exactly how many inches from the floor the frame should be or which kind of picture hanger to use… And they become frozen by indecision.
Don’t let that happen! A simple picture hanging kit and a hammer is usually enough to hang some art. Holes are easy to fill later with spackle if need be, and frames will likely cover up any mistake holes anyway. ????
Here are a few of my favorite picture hanging tools:
- Basic picture hangers variety pack
- 3m strips
- Super heavy artwork hanger
- Long level with measurements
- Butcher paper
- Painters’ tape
Tip: If you’re especially concerned about how it might look, try using a roll of butcher paper or wrapping paper cut to the size of the frame(s) and painter’s tape for a kind of trial run.
Whatever you do, don’t let a fear of hanging art keep you from enjoying the beauty and ambiance that it can provide. Art brings so much personality to a space!
I hope you found these art hanging tips helpful. And be sure to pin it so that next time you hang your pictures you can avoid these five common mistakes and display art beautifully!
