7 Secrets to Hanging Your Wall Art (Inside Tricks)

Apr 25, 2020

Elif Naz Kaya

Elif Naz Kaya

Architect/ Designer

If you are a huge interior design fan and want to learn some inside tricks, this is where you need to be. More about me…

7 Secrets to Hang Your Wall Art

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7 Secrets to Hanging Your Wall Art

A common problem I hear about is having an empty wall that everyone walks by. Do you have this problem? If so, maybe it is time for you to decorate that wall with beautiful, stylish wall art.

First, let’s set up some expectations: I know that some of you are thinking that this is a piece of cake because I was feeling like that. It doesn’t always end up that way.

I thought it was enough to look at some inspiration and wall art ideas on Pinterest. However, I recognized that the wall I am going to design as a gallery wall is self-styled.

Making a unique wall art layout always a better idea than just copying the images you see.

With these do’s and don’ts, you can create a gorgeous gallery wall that suits your home decor today. 

[lwptoc]

1. Mimic Your Wall Shape

Match the shape of your artwork with the shape of the wall space to create harmony.

When considering wall art, decide if you prefer photography, abstract art, or just a regular painting, and don’t forget the shape of the wall where you are hanging the artwork.

If it is a square wall, then one piece of square wall art will be best.

Let’s look at the example:

7 Secrets to Hang Your Wall Art (Inside Tricks)
Secrets to Hang Your Wall Art
Secrets to Hang Your Wall Art
Secrets to Hang Your Wall Art

I will leave the decision-making to you. Just deciding on the right shape of the wall is the way to start so you make the correct choice in your artwork.

stylish wall arts

2. Don’t Hang It Too High

How high should I hang wall art? It’s a common mistake that people often make: they hang their artwork way too high. 

The center of artwork should generally be hung between 60-66 inches (152-167 cm) from the floor.

If you want to hang artwork over your couch, you should hang it about 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) over the back of your furniture.

Do you know why?

Because that is the eye level for the majority of people. Not all artwork is the same size nor are all ceilings the same height, so you have to decide based on this range (60-66inches).

The range is the science of hanging wall art, and figuring out the perfect height is your job.

The number is the same for hanging both collages and a single image.

3. Don’t Forget the Gaps

This rule is for collages. Hang your pieces roughly 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) apart from each other.

You should not go over 3 inches unless you are hanging only two pieces of artwork.

In that case, you can hang them a bit further apart, but no more than 5 inches (13 cm). If you do that, then they start feeling disconnected.

Dont Forget the Gaps

4. First, Lay Out on the Ground  

I always lay my pieces out on the ground. I move the pieces around until I find the perfect arrangement (most importantly) without damaging the walls.

Leave consistent gaps between each piece of artwork. After arranging them on the ground, use those measurements when you hang them on the wall. 

Don’t forget height: the middle of your collage should be 60 – 66 inches (152 – 167 cm) from the floor as well. 

If there is a large piece of artwork in my collage, I generally place it in the middle of my collage and then work outwards.

After gathering all the pieces on the ground, snap a picture with your phone before you hang them.

When hanging the collage along a staircase, the bottom line of your picture should follow the rail.

Layout on the Ground

5. Select a Theme

I think, before you buy your art pieces, it is best to choose a common theme. Collages look best when they have a unifying theme.

That can be the same color frame for every piece of artwork or the same type of artwork, such as black and white photographs or paintings.

Don’t forget that you can use other decorative items in your collages: a wall sculpture, a mirror, or a basket.

6. 2/3 Rule

This rule applies when hanging artwork over furniture pieces such as a bed, a console table, a sofa, a fireplace mantel, etc.

Artwork (almost always) looks best when it is 2/3 of the item’s length beneath it. That rule is routinely used in the design.

For example, if you hang your artwork over the console table, find 2/3 of your console table length. This will be the perfect size for your wall art.

After you choose the correct artwork for your furniture, hang your artwork between 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) over the top of the item to feel connected.

7. Balance with Negative Space

You should consider leaving a wall (or walls) free of artwork.

The idea is that you are leaving the area of a room such as a wall, corner, etc. empty to create some breathing space in the design.

You don’t want to distract from the focal point in a room. You may have stunning pieces in your space, so you will want to skip having artwork behind it.

Look at your room and answer this question: Do you think there should be artwork on this wall?

If the answer is there shouldn’t be, leave the wall empty and search for a different wall which needs to be decorated with some wall art.

Don’t be afraid to leave a wall or two bare when it makes sense to do so.

Look at this example:

Balance with Negative Space

There is wall art beside the beautiful wood frame window that doesn’t need any wall art. In this scenario, the wall art is unnecessary.

Doesn’t it look better without wall art?

wall art

Now that you know the designers’ guidelines and rules, you can prevent any problems when hanging your artwork.

If you have a gallery wall or a piece of artwork, check and see if there is anything you need to change after reading these rules. 

Take before and after photos of your wall art with your phone. Which one do you prefer?

I am more than happy to help answer your questions! Happy decorating!  🙂

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2 Comments

  1. Jodi Horyna

    When doing any type of gallery whether it be empty frames or a mirror gallery is there a rule as to the number of pieces such as keeping it odd or even number?

    Reply
    • Elif Naz Kaya

      There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to the number of pieces in a gallery wall, whether it’s empty frames or a mirror gallery. It’s generally recommended to aim for an odd number of pieces as it tends to create a more visually appealing and balanced composition. That being said, you should ultimately choose a number of pieces that work best for your specific space and personal taste.

      Reply

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