Most people have a good eye for how to hang items on their walls. The decor in an Atlanta, Georgia home is a reflection of those who live there. The pieces you choose reflect your tastes, interests, and standards. Many families own at least one piece of art that is “museum-worthy.” It’s natural to want to show off the items you have.
Finding the right decor is just half of the work, though, right? If you don’t display it properly, your guests may have to hunch over or stand on tiptoe trying to see the artwork and photos you love.
While there’s no official rulebook, there are some things to keep in mind that can help. You’ll want to get the right height. Here are a few tips to help based on your room arrangement and the size of the framed artwork you are hanging.
The Golden Rule of Thumb
It can be hard to know where to start, especially if you are unsure. A good place to start when hanging framed artwork is to consider your natural line of sight.
If you think about it, you hang items on the wall so you can see it, enjoy it, and share it. It just makes sense that the best height for framed artwork is about the level your eyes naturally fall as you look forward.
Secondly, you want to keep the vertical center of the artwork at eye level. This makes an aesthetically pleasing look. It also makes the piece easy for all to enjoy.
Finding the Vertical Center of Framed Art
To find the vertical center of your artwork, you’ll need to do a tiny bit of math. Nothing scary, of course! Measure the height of the framed artwork, including the frame. Divide that measurement by two. This gives you the visual center.
Once you find the vertical center of your framed artwork, put it 57 inches off the floor. This is going to be eye level for most adults. Art galleries and museums use this as the standard for hanging their art pieces. This is a tried and true method.
However, it’s important to know that this is just a general “standard.” You may want to change it to match a larger or smaller artwork. It may also need to be adjusted for high or low ceilings. It’s fine to play around with it to find the best placement.
How High Should I Hang Wall Art Arrangements?
What happens if you want to hang several pieces of art? Gallery walls can give a room a creative, unique appearance. But if you want to find the right hanging height, it can be a little more difficult.
It may seem difficult to manage several framed pieces, but it’s not as hard as you think.
Start by deciding how you want the arrangement to look. Think about symmetry and balance. You’ll also want to give about 3 to 6 inches of space between each piece. After you know how you want to arrange the framed pieces, treat the group as a single unit. Figure out where the vertical center of the arrangement will be. Again, this center will be placed at either your eye height or at 57 inches off the ground.
This process works for smaller pictures. If it looks odd to hang one small framed art piece on the wall, grouping them with a single piece in the center can be a great way to use the space. You can cluster a few smaller frames around a larger one, or hang three frames in a vertical line.
How High Do I Hang Framed Artwork Over Furniture?
The 57-inch rule might not work if you want to hang framed artwork or photos over furniture. Desks, sofas, beds, and tables can eat into your space. They also change viewing angles. When people look at your wall decor, they are more likely to be seated.
Generally, you’ll want to hang items so that the bottom of the frame is 6 to 12 inches from the top of the furniture. Of course, you may need to make adjustments depending on where the eye tends to fall naturally.
Hanging Framed Artwork and High Ceilings
In some Atlanta homes with high ceilings, the 57-inch rule will still work. Generally, wall decor looks best at eye height, even if the room is larger or has a high ceiling. You might only need to add an extra inch or two off the floor to help balance the final aesthetic.
One of the benefits of high ceilings is that you can “stack” your artwork. It allows room to add extra decor above your eye-level art. This fills the space, but also adds a nice visual appeal.
How Do I Visualize the Right Height for My Artwork?
You can use the tips already mentioned as guidelines. But it can still be a little hard to visualize how your wall will look when it’s done. There are some ways to get a good idea.
One way to get at least an idea of how your wall will look is to have a friend help. They can hold the framed artwork against the wall so you can see where your eyes tend to fall. If you spend more time sitting in the room, make sure to check how it might look from a seated position.
Another way to test proper visual height is to create templates out of paper. Make them the same size as your pieces. Tape the paper templates to the wall so you’ll have a rough idea of how the final arrangement might look.
Atlanta’s Best Custom Framer: Suburban Frames
If you have framed artwork or photos you want to display, you want it done right! Hanging your items can be a bit tricky, but these tips can help you get the perfect view.
When you are ready to frame artwork, canvases, photos, and more, check with Atlanta’s best custom Framer, Suburban Frames. We have decades of experience in framing and thousands of happy decorators! Give us a call today, and let’s get started!