Collecting fine art is an exciting and rewarding endeavor. But to collect art without displaying it defeats the purpose. And when you do display it in your home, you need to do so in a manner that’s worthy of the art’s quality.
You can always hire someone to hang fine art for you, but it’s something that can also be done on your own with a few simple tools and the right knowledge. Here are a few suggestions and rules:
1. Aim for Eye Level
People shouldn’t have to strain their neck, look up, or look down to see a piece of artwork. The general rule of thumb is that the center of the artwork should be at eye level.
A height of 57 inches is usually a safe distance.
The best way to find the center point is to measure 57 inches from the floor to the wall and make a pencil mark. Next, you find the center of the artwork by measuring the height and dividing it by two. For a framed piece that’s 40 inches high, the 20-inch point would align with the 57-inch pencil mark.
2. Except When…
The 57-inch guideline is useful in most situations, but what about when you’re hanging artwork in a spot where it has to be elevated? For example, a lot of people like to hang artwork as part of their
fireplace mantel decor. In these situations, the art has to be a lot higher than 57 inches. (The same goes for hanging artwork above a bed’s headboard.)
In situations like this, the bottom of the frame should rest somewhere between six to eight inches above the top of the feature (the mantel, headboard, etc.) This provides ample space and helps the piece look centered.
3. Treat Multiple Works of Art as One
Do you have multiple pieces of artwork that you want to hang together? Some people like to do a haphazard gallery wall effect where pieces are staggered and grouped without rhyme or reason. This looks good, but what about when you want some uniformity?
When hanging multiple pieces of art, treat the entire collection like it’s one piece of art. In other words, find your 57-inch focal point and then balance each piece around this point so you have a consistent look.
4. Don’t Overdo Things
It’s easy to go overboard when hanging artwork – especially if you’re a collector. There’s a temptation to fill up every inch of wall space with the pieces you’ve accumulated. Unfortunately, this holds you back.
The best thing you can do is let your artwork breathe. The more space you dedicate to one piece, the more likely it is that people will take notice and enjoy it. If you have to include multiple pieces on the same wall, ensure they have some sort of correlating factor – either theme, color palette, or artist.
5. Check the Walls
The final piece of advice is something that you should actually consider very early in the process of hanging art. You need to check the walls to ensure you have proper support for placement – particularly with heavy pieces.
You can’t just drive a nail into drywall or plaster and expect it to hold. You need specialized hanging hardware, as well as proper support. Heavy pieces may require a stud in order to hang. When driving deep screws, you also have to check for things like plumbing and electrical.
An advanced stud finder can help you hang art with assurance.
Feel Free to Break the Rules
Okay, now that you’re familiar with some of the rules and best practices regarding the hanging of fine art, do you want to hear a little secret?
It’s okay to break the rules!
In fact, it’s encouraged that you occasionally violate some of the standard practices. After all, we’re talking about art – something that breaks the mold of monotony and attempts to do something fresh and new. By mixing things up on occasion, you can make a statement that’s reflective of the pieces you’re displaying.
Have fun with your art collection and hang your fine art in a way that makes people stop and admire the beauty. That’s what art is all about.
