You’ve found the perfect artwork, brought it home, and picked the location of honor. Did you know, one of the most common questions we hear is “how high do I hang my art?” We are here to help you. In this article, we will talk about some useful tips on how to hang art properly.

Hang Your Artwork at Eye Level

Hanging pieces too high is one of the most common mistakes in art installation. Do you ever notice how museums mostly hang artwork at eye level? That’s because it’s the optimal viewing height when standing in front of the art. A good rule of thumb is to hang art 57 inches to 60 inches from its center to the floor. This will elevate your interior design, not only because it’s the average human eye level, but also because the artwork will be more balanced with the other elements of your home.

Treat Stacked Artworks as One

If you decide to hang two or more paintings vertically on your wall, it’s still best to follow the 57 to 60 inches rule. To do this, treat your two artworks as if they’re one huge piece and measure their center and start from there. Just ensure that they are properly spaced, so that they do not look disconnected. This will help create a harmonious look and feel.

Your Gallery Walls Should Have Cohesive Spacing

Sometimes, we can’t decide on a single piece or two to hang. We want to showcase multiple artworks and even create a gallery wall. Should you decide to hang a gallery wall, it is important to keep in mind that the art should have a similar theme and consistent frames. Discover your art preference and pick a style you want to go for. For spacing, it’s usually best to hang medium pieces 2 to 3 inches apart, while smaller pieces should be around 1.5 to 2 inches apart.

Create a Template to Help Hang Your Artworks

To create a template, use butchers paper to trace the shape of the art and place it on the wall using painters tape. This will help you envision how your art will look on your wall. It is especially useful if you plan on having a gallery wall, as you will be able to see how the grouping will fit together. You can also use a template for individual paintings to check whether you are satisfied with the positioning.

Take the Surroundings Into Consideration

Think of the relationship between the art and its surroundings. Proper height will probably be different depending on which room you are decorating and the elements in these spaces. We've listed a few specific tips regarding these important factors:

Entryways and Hallways

For spaces like hallways and entryways, people will most likely be standing so it's probably better to follow the 57 to 60 inches rule here. You could even hang art a bit higher if your ceiling is tall (you can go up to 65 inches), depending on your preference. Oversized art also looks fantastic in these places.

Living Room, Dining Room, and Office

In these rooms, you will likely be seated most of the time. In this case, you can hang your artworks a little lower to ensure that you will be able to enjoy them from your lower viewing angle. Sit in a chair or your couch and have someone hold the piece against the wall so you can evaluate the look you prefer. You can also look for specific artwork collections for living room, dining room, and office to make sure the piece fits well.

Consider the Size of the Piece

The size of your art greatly affects where and how you should hang it. Large framed pieces, for instance, should be hung at least 6 to 12 inches over your furniture. For small artworks, look for narrow walls and group the pieces into two or three, hanging them vertically. This will look better than hanging them on a large wall where they may look out of scale.

Artwork Above Your Fireplace

The general rule of thumb when it comes to hanging your artwork above your fireplace is the same with furniture. Hang them around 6 to 12 inches above it. This will prevent the piece from looking like it's separated or floating above the mantel.

Artwork on Your Staircase

Mixed media art and gallery walls are very popular for staircases. After all, this is where you would typically have a huge wall available to be decorated. When hanging artwork on a staircase, the general rule of 57 to 60 inches should still apply. So be sure to position the paintings 57 to 60 inches diagonally above each stair. You can use painters tape to help you mark the ideal positions.

Final Words

Choosing the perfect art to decorate your home is an essential part of interior design and creating a personalized living space for yourself. Keep in mind that the goal is for your home to feel like home — a place filled with inspiration and wonderful memories.

We hope this article has answered your questions on how high to hang pictures, and has provided you with some helpful tips that you can apply when decorating your home with art. Just remember to enjoy the process!