Do's and Don'ts for Hanging Artwork
I have picture hanging on the brain as I’m off to install more artwork for a client tomorrow. This is an older post, but still so relevant, so I am updating and reposting.
It is a subject near and dear to my heart and hanging artwork badly is one of the most common design mistakes I see.
SO – you’ve decided you are tired of staring at blank walls and want to add artwork or at least SOMETHING to look at. But where to start? How big? How high? How many pieces. What do I need and where can I find it?
Well, that all depends on the space you have to fill and what you like - artwork is personal, or at least it SHOULD be, but how you choose and how you hang it can make or break how you feel in the room!
*Please note: that this page contains affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase, I might make a small commission at no extra charge to you.
Here are seven secrets to success
DON’T just buy something to fill space or to match your sofa
DO invest in things you truly love or that have meaning to you
Collections that spark fond memories, or pieces gathered from travel, or commissioned works from favorite artists…whatever you choose, it should resonate with you.
An old and grainy picture, but this wall of favorite pieces of framed piano music still gives this homeowner joy every time she looks at it!
DON’T, for the love of God, just hang stuff on the nail that was already in the wall from the last time something adorned the space.
DO plan ahead. Placement of artwork requires careful planning. Lay the pieces out on the floor if working on a grouping, or have someone hold it/them on the wall so you can check placement before hammering away.
Is this artwork in ‘time out’??? I can almost guarantee that a very tall person hung this. On a nail that was already in the wall.
DON’T hang your artwork before deciding on the final resting places for your furniture.
Too high, too random, too small for the wall, too far apart…well except for that one on the top left that is stalking its nearest neighbor. Altogether a bit haphazard.
DO hang your artwork to relate to the furniture in the room.
Over a headboard – let your artwork arrangement follow the shape of the headboard. Over a sofa, table, or chest – hang the artwork close enough so the furniture is part of the overall composition – 8” – 12” is the maximum distance up from the furniture.
If that looks ridiculous, you need either a bigger piece or multiple pieces…which brings me to number 4…
DON’T hang one lonely little piece by itself in a large expanse of wall.
As I am fond of saying…it needs friends! This one looks like it has been placed in time-out…
DO be sure your artwork (or group of artwork) is at least 2/3 of the width of the furniture below it.
A series of Audubon prints hung in a grid over a sofa
DON’T feel you must find one single right piece to do the job
DO consider a group or grid of artwork. Spaces between artwork hung in a grid should be quite small - usually between 2 1/2 and 4 inches, but it depends on the size of the artwork, the heft of the frame, and the size of the mat if there is one.
Sometimes it is more interesting and, above a curved headboard or camel back sofa, it fits the space better to use a group of art or objects rather than a single large piece of art.
A curved headboard topped with a group of artwork
DON’T limit yourself to art
DO add in some other items on your walls so it has an interesting look and doesn’t start to feel like a museum!
Other wall-worthy items? Pretty dishes, platters or trays, mirrors, large decorative clocks, sculptural pieces of metalwork or plasterwork, architectural fragments like old window frames, wall shelves, sconces or ledges (to hold something, obviously), textiles, interesting baskets, and collections.
Words on the wall are another option many people choose. I am, generally, not one of those people…but if you are, here are some guidelines on ‘word art’ for a tasteful outcome.
A mix of artwork, plates and a mirror on the walls of this dining room
DON’T hang a group of artwork and then try to level each piece. This NEVER works out well and is one reason why hanging groups or grids of artwork is tricky!
DO level each piece as you hang it before you hang the next one, and add a piece of museum putty on the back of a lower corner to keep it in place. Nothing is more irritating than slightly askew pictures every time someone closes a door or walks down the hall!
Some other considerations for hanging artwork
What about frames?
They don’t all need to match, and should certainly be chosen foremost to compliment the art, but they should relate to the room in some way.
You have options! There are many companies that sell various pieces in a choice of both sizes and frames.
Custom framing is another option – it is not inexpensive, but it can elevate the artwork and protect more fragile pieces that have sentimental value like antique photographs or needlework pieces.
We have commissioned custom mats and frames for hundreds of pieces for gallery wall installations over the years!
What about gallery walls?
These are a great way to display family photographs, though the example below might make you question that sentiment. For tips on designing a photo gallery wall that doesn’t look like it was hung by a slightly inebriated handyman, check out THIS post.
The least favorite relative’s picture gets hung behind the lamp.
Scenic wallpaper can be an elegant stand-in for artwork.
Gorgeous scenic wallpaper In a dining room by Timothy Corrigan. Iksel’s enchanting Bagatelle adds just the right dash of imaginative glamour. Miguel Flores-Vianna/domino ©Conde Nast via the Schumacher Blog
But can I hang pictures on patterned wallpaper?
Yes. But 2 notes of caution.
1. ) You are making a hole in the wallpaper and that cannot be repaired so make SURE you are making the hole where you are going to want it for a long time, and
2.) You artwork needs some breathing room from the encroaching pattern of your wallpaper so use a mat or at least a sizable frame to form a protective boundary! When in doubt, consider a mirror instead.
Artwork Sources
There are many local artists and most will do commissioned work if you want a particular color palette. I always recommend original art if it fits the budget. Art tends to be priced by size, larger pieces commanding higher price tags.
My client from the Garden Library Project, commissioned a piece of art from a friend for over the fireplace that has special meaning to her. We recommended the size and shape that would suit the space best.
If original art is out of reach, there are many online companies that offer original art prints in a choice of sizes and frames - GreatBigCanvas.com is one that we have used, and Art.com and Minted.com are others. BallardDesigns.com has a nice selection of sets of prints for groupings.
Tools of the Trade:
Here are some of the items we keep in our picture hanging toolbox.
The mini level and museum putty get used on every picture to insure it is level and stays that way.
The plate hangers are dependent on the size of the plate or platter but we like the vinyl tips that keep the plates from getting scratched.
Traditional 30 lb hooks work for most artwork, though we will use two per picture and larger hooks for large scale or heavy pieces.
The angled lightweight hangers work especially well for pictures that have those sawtooth hangers at the top of the back where using a traditional hook would show above the picture.
Click on each image for more information.
Just…no.
Friends don’t let friends hang art badly!
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