Hanging a painting badly is worse than not hanging it at all. A painting that is too high, too low, at the wrong angle, or secured badly makes the room feel wrong and sits in your peripheral vision as a small, persistent irritant every time you walk in.
The height question: where most people go wrong
The most common hanging mistake is hanging paintings too high. The standard guideline is to hang the centre of the painting at approximately 145cm to 155cm from the floor. This is adult eye level, which is where the eye rests naturally when you are standing.
The exception is when art is hung above furniture. Here, the relationship between art and furniture below matters more. The bottom edge of the painting should sit 20 to 25cm above the top of the furniture. For guidance on the right positioning for each room, read my room by room size guide. For specific advice on above the sofa, read my post on the best wall art for above a sofa.
Finding the right position before you make a hole
Cut a piece of paper to the exact size of the painting and tape it to the wall. Live with it for a day. Walk in and out of the room. Sit in your normal positions. This takes five minutes and saves significant effort later.
What you need
For most paintings on plasterboard walls, use a picture hook with a small nail at an angle. For heavier canvases, use two hooks. A spirit level is essential. Even experienced people cannot reliably hang a painting level by eye.
Hanging hardware
Canvas prints typically have D-rings and picture wire. Fine art paper prints typically have a single D-ring or saw-tooth hanger. For the difference between canvas prints and paper prints and how they hang differently, read my canvas vs paper prints guide. For the difference between originals and prints, read my post on original art vs prints.
Levelling and finishing
Once hung, check with a spirit level. Small adhesive pads on the back lower corners of the frame will stop the painting swinging when people walk past or when doors create a draught.
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