How To Properly Hang Wall Art - Interior Decorating Tips

As a decorator I get asked a lot by friends and family for tips on their spaces when I go to visit their homes. I usually try to avoid really giving advice and looking around too in depth because then I start noticing too many things they can change. Recently a friend of mine was really begging me, and one thing I noticed was that the art in her space was hung at different heights and it looked really unproportioned. I gave her this tip I knew and she ended up changing every piece of art in her home that weekend. It is a very simple tip, and I feel it might help someone reading this who is as OCD as I am about everything being visually balanced, or those who want to make their space look that much more appealing.

In context of space and how we see it, even a few inches of difference in the height of an artwork on a wall can change our perception of the room. Many people are unaware of what a difference the height that their artwork hangs at has impact on how the space looks. It is common for people to just find a height they think looks good, bang the nail in and hang the art. But actual measurements and proportions, though it takes more time to do, has greater impact and is more visually appealing. 

In this post I will show examples of wall art above a sofa, but these measurements are standard for any art pieces around the home. 

Below are examples of what you want to AVOID when hanging your wall art.

You can see in the image above that the wall art is too close to the ceiling. Since the art is the focal point in this particular space, your eyes naturally draw up and it is the first thing you notice before anything else. The gap is too big between the furniture and the art, thus causing a disconnect in the flow of the space. It is good proportion in comparison to the couch, but if hung lower it would be the ideal height.

In this space the art is too small in comparison to the sofa, it is hung too low and off-center. I can see how it can look “quirky” as a style, but it is not the best for overall visual appeal. There is a big blank space of wall right above and the space is unbalanced with too much activity happening on one side.

The artwork in this space is too small and too high up on the wall causing a big white space of wall disconnecting the overall space. If the size of the pieces were better proportioned to the size of the sofa and hung lower it would create greater flow and visual appeal. 

Here are some examples of what TO DO to get the best look for your space and the wall art in it.

The art is proportionate to the size of the sofa on either side, and there are only a few inches of space between the top of the sofa and the start of the art. It is centered and connects the space together. Tying in color is also a great aspect when thinking about the art in your home, but that is a completely new area to go into. You can still see how the colors of the art compliment the rest of the colors in the space.

How to perfectly measure wall art for your space :

* The ideal height of art is 57” from the floor to the center of the artwork. 

Step 1. Measure the height of your artwork (example : art piece measures 20”) 

Step 2. Divide that number in half (example : half of 20” is 10”) 

Step 3. Add the half measurement to 57” (example : 10” + 57” = 67”) 

Step 4. Take a measuring tape and pencil, measure that number from the floor up the wall and make a mark

Step 5. Bang your nail in there and hang your art! Perfect height! (If you prefer, use Command Strips to avoid nail holes)

* If your art has a ridge or a wire it hangs on, measure the length of that and subtract from your overall number (example : art has a 2” ridge where it hangs from. Subtract 2” from 67” = 65”. Measure up wall to 65” and bang nail there)

Some more visual examples of proportions of artwork and furniture measurements.

Tips to remember :

* The ideal height of art is 57” from the floor to the center of the artwork. 

* Make sure it is proportionate to the length of the sofa or piece of furniture underneath it. 

* Hang all of your artwork in your home using the same formula, and it will all be at perfect eye level.

Sources : 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 

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