Hanging artwork doesn’t have to involve guess – work. With thoughtful planning you can create a professional-looking display.Whether it’s one piece above a sofa or a gallery wall, these steps will help you get the placement right the first time.
Over furniture
When placing artwork above a sofa, console, or other piece of furniture, start by finding the center of the furniture rather than relying on your eye.
- Measure the distance from the right or left wall to the edge of the furniture.
- Measure the width of the furniture and divide that number by two.
- Add those measurements together to find the center point where your artwork should be aligned.
For example, if a sofa is 20 inches from the wall and 80 inches wide, divide 80 by 2 to get 40. Add 20 + 40, and the center point is 60 inches from the wall.
Next, determine the ideal height for your artwork.
- Measure the height of the picture. For this example, assume it’s 40 inches tall.
- Extend your tape measure to 40 inches and move it up and down the wall until you find a height that looks right.
- A good guideline is to leave about 6 to 10 inches between the bottom of the frame and the top of the furniture to create a balanced connection. If your artwork hangs from a wire, measure from the top of the frame to the wire when it is pulled tight. Mark the wall below the desired top placement by that amount – this is where the hook should go. When using two hooks, place them about 4 to 5 inches on either side of the center mark. Because the wire may lift slightly, the artwork may sit about ½ inch higher than your mark.
Gallery wall
A gallery wall is easier to design when you plan the arrangement before making holes in the wall. Start by laying your artwork on the floor in front of the wall where it will hang. Experiment with different layouts until the arrangement feels balanced.
Keep spacing consistent, typically leaving 2 to 4 inches between each piece. Once you’re happy with the design, turn each piece over and note the location of the hanging hardware.
Create a simple hanging map by measuring the distance from the center of one frame to the next and recording how far each wire or hanger sits below the top of the frame. Use these measurements to transfer the layout to the wall. You can hang the centerpiece first and work outward or place each piece according to your map.
Artwork often looks best when the center is about 57 to 60 inches from the floor approximately average eye level. With careful planning and accurate measurements, your artwork can enhance the room and feel intentionally placed.