Hanging Artwork Tips

You would think that being in the business I am in, within my home the walls would be covered with artwork from framed prints to gallery wrapped canvas art. Actually only recently, after old little girl got older and enter Kindergarten did this start to change. Now pictures are beginning to show up on our walls, albeit generally photos of our daughter or pictures she painted, but the walls are beginning to be populated. As I started adding these pictures of her or her framed art I have developed a few tips I would like to share.

Placement and Positioning

Over a couch or headboard, the framed print or collection of prints should connect with the furniture and be part of a bigger presentation. It must not overwhelm nor should it be too small. It should take up about should be about 2/3 of the width. Try not to hang it too high. About a 10 inches above the couch is ideal. For smaller prints that you might be hanging in higher traffic areas, try to center it so that the center is about 5 to 5 1/2 ft. This will put it at eye level with most people.

Displaying Collections

If you are displaying a collection of photos or artwork (usually a cluster of small prints) make sure there is a definite beginning and end of the display. If they are in a row, follow the 5 to 5 1/2 ft rule but make sure it is obvious where it begins and ends. If it is prints over each other, don’t allow individual works get too high on the wall that it’s hard to see the images, especially in more narrow places like halls or very small rooms.

Don’t Isolate

Don’t isolate your artwork. This can happen if you placing it on a wall in a room and the piece is too small. It looks like it is just stilling there alone. Even a bigger piece can appear isolated if it does not connect or appear as part of room.