How to Hang Art | A Studio McGee Guide
Your walls should get just as much attention as your floor space—
—and we’re here to help show you how. The good news is that there’s an opportunity for art just about anywhere you want in the home.
Hanging pictures can make each space in your home feel beautiful, polished, and personal. Artwork hanging in your entryway welcomes you and your guests into your home with a feeling of warmth, and provides an introduction to your unique style and the personalities of those that inhabit the home. Hanging artwork on large, open walls in the larger spaces of your home brings a sense of cohesion. Even in the smallest corners, the smallest of frames, and on styled shelves tucked behind objects, artwork has a place.
We believe that the process of choosing and hanging artwork should be fun and stress free, and above all, a personal project that designates who lives in the home and what their style is. It’s a lot like you’re running your own personal home gallery.
So what’s the best way to hang pictures? The main thing to keep in mind is that it doesn’t have to be a scary endeavor. Hanging art in your home can feel incredibly daunting. There’s so much to consider with each piece—from finding the right height to hang artwork above a console or a sofa to creating a gallery wall in a long hallway, we like to follow a few guidelines. Here are three of our favorite tips and tricks for hanging art in your home.
01. Philips and flathead screwdrivers, 02. Pocket Level, 03. Hanging hook, 04. Small Measuring Tape, 05. Framing Hammer, 06. Hanging pins.
Tip No. 01 | A Single Piece
As a general rule, when you’re styling a single piece of art on an open wall—or a few pieces horizontally—hang the art so that the center of the piece is 60 inches from the floor. We follow this rule because it places the art roughly at the height of your eyeline. If you go to an art gallery, you’ll find this rule of thumb applied uniformly.
We also love styling one large piece over a console table. Hang the piece so it is just a few inches above the surface of the console to roughly adhere to the previous art height principles. It also gives you room to style objects on the table without interfering with the impact of the art piece.
Here’s a bonus tip: find ways to use picture lights. A picture light can be used with any piece, whether it is significant to the room or sentimental to you. The light adds charm and layers of depth, giving a designer feel and showcasing the artwork. Don’t have the time or budget to get them hardwired? Not a problem. Look for battery-operated picture lights. They provide the same drama without the price tag.
Tip No. 02 | A Gallery Wall
The principles for creating a beautifully composed gallery wall depend on the look you’re going for. If you want an eclectic look, you can be a bit more inclusive with styles, sizes, and frame shapes and finishes. Pay attention to the different mediums. You can bring many types of art together—sketches, photos, paintings, textural, and decorative—but make sure there is intention and balance to the grouping and there isn’t one random type of medium mixed in with a grouping that’s all the same.
If you want a more streamlined look, pair pieces with similar frames, mats, or mediums together. Just make sure there is one element of each piece that is uniform. For example, style travel photos together or gold-finished rectangular wood frames together or black-and-white photographs.
For spacing, keep a couple inches between each piece and place the center of the gallery grouping roughly 60 inches from the floor. It’s extremely helpful to lay out your pieces on the floor beforehand to decide on each piece’s position before hanging, or to draw it on a piece of paper. You can use painter’s tape to create a template for yourself on the wall, as well. Whatever method works best for you, you’ll find it’s extremely helpful to have a plan before putting any holes in the wall.
Tip No. 03 | Layered and Leaned
Our third tip for hanging artwork is that you don’t always have to hang artwork. Let us explain. Art can add depth and texture or even tell a story anywhere you place it. For example, we love the look of layering artwork with a mirror on a console, whether it is leaning against the wall or propped up with a stand on top of a little pedestal. This can give a more eclectic, layered look. And there are no rules here. Feel free to hang a smaller piece on the wall beside it. We also love leaning a small piece of art in a built-in shelf, on top of a dresser, or on the kitchen counter in a sweet styled vignette. Think of framed artwork as another object and utilize it accordingly.
Adorn Your Walls
Is the 56-60" rule measured to the bottom, middle or top of the frame?
Middle of the frame 🙂
Eye level is frustrating advice. My husband is 6’5" and I am 6’2". We hung everything at eye level, and designers tell us our stuff is too high. A measurement from floor would be more helpful.
They said 60 inches from the center of the piece (or group) to the floor.
I also don’t like the advice to hang artwork so close to the sofas. It’s not practical when you have little ones, or if you are tall, you lean back while watching TV or hanging out with friends and bang your head into a bulky frame. Kids can fingerprint the art, or pull it off the wall if it’s not secure.
great post!
Thanks Jean!!
Great post. I’m definitely guilty of hanging artwork and mirrors too high. However in my defense my teenage son is growing like a weed, so I hung the artwork and mirror in his room high to accommodate his growth spurts.
Ha, when it all comes down to it, you have to do what’s best for you. Thanks for reading Darcel!
Such a great post. Thanks so much for sharing these tips – it’s great to know the best practices, as I’m decorating my home.
So glad you liked it! Good luck decorating your home, I’m sure it will turn out amazing!!
Wonderful article! When hanging a series of art work together in a straight line. How do you make sure they are hung straight and evenly spaced without placing a million holes in your wall?
Great question Jen! We like to use trace the shapes of the frame on paper and tape it to the wall with painters tape and space it out before we do any damage.
I’m not an interior designer, but I’m a graphic designer and my friends can tell you I’m all about the "don’t hang it too high or too far apart!" advice. It’s the quickest way to make your beautiful home look like a frat house. Hahaha – great article guys. The Do/Don’t pics at the end are great side-by-sides.
Ha, as a fellow designer you know how it is!! Thanks for reading!
Pinning! Such a great post especially showing the right and wrong way 🙂
We’re so glad it was helpful! Thanks for reading 🙂
If you have higher ceilings is it okay to center artwork a little higher? Our ceilings are 9 feet instead of the standard 8, so I’ve centered our artwork at 66 inches. I’m pretty sure I read this on another design blog at some point. What is your opinion?
Loved this post! You mentioned that incorrect rug size was another common design mistake. I would LOVE a post about rug sizing and how to orient them in your space.
Noted! Thanks so much for reading!
Yes! I agree with this. I am always seeing people hanging art to high so that the piece does not "relate" enough to what is under it (ie. it feels too much like it’s floating or disconnected). This post is so helpful.
So glad you agree! Thanks Aimee!!
Brilliant! What seems second nature to us as designers, is explained and exampled so well to those that want to decorate themselves!! Loved!
Thanks so much Katrina!
For the 4-6 inhes above a piece of furniture, like in your dos and donts section, if there is larger pieces or taller pieces going on top the cabinet then would you hand it higher? I feel like it would cover the painting?
Does the 60 inch rule still apply if ceiling is 20ft tall?
These are great guidelines–and equally great spaces! xo Lindsey
Thanks Lindsey! Glad you enjoy!!!
Would the same apply for a wall weaving?
It’s a very big help to me..thank you..
It was very helpful, thank you.
We’re so glad!
You would cringe at the art on my walls. I have a couple of new pieces I’ve been waiting on for almost 8 weeks now. So none of my art looks "right". Instead of staring at nail holes in my walls, or fixed nail holes, I’ve just hung whatever picture I want on the Ooks in my walls. Hoping to get my new pieces in the next couple of weeks! Then I can start re-hanging pieces, and use your timely tips. Thanks!
No cringing here 🙂 We’re all doing the best we can!! You’ll get there!!
Great site!
Quick question about leveling art on the wall: is it better to have it parallel to the ceiling or to have it absolutely level?
I assume parallel to the ceiling is better since that is what what make it “appear” level even if it is not. Whereas being exactly level but at odds with the ceiling will appear crooked.
Thoughts?
M&P
Great site!
Quick question about leveling art on the wall: is it better to have it parallel to the ceiling or to have it absolutely level?
I assume parallel to the ceiling is better since that is what what make it “appear” level even if it is not. Whereas being exactly level but at odds with the ceiling will appear crooked.
Thoughts?
M&P
Great site!
Quick question about leveling art on the wall: is it better to have it parallel to the ceiling or to have it absolutely level?
I assume parallel to the ceiling is better since that is what what make it “appear” level even if it is not. Whereas being exactly level but at odds with the ceiling will appear crooked.
Thoughts?
M&P
How high from the bottom of an archway should art be hung
What height would you choose to place the art if the wall inside a home is very wide and high? Like twice the normal room height..
Hi Antony! These height rules still apply to high and wide walls (eye-view) 🙂
I have an 86 inch sofa that I’d like to hang art above. In looking at the 2/3 rule, my art should be around 57" W. I have two cold air returns, which limit the height of the art. I found a 3 piece set (each the same size) that I want. I have 2 options that would allow me to place the art 4-6 inches above the sofa, this is without the spacing between each piece and the total height and width is as follows: 32"H x 48" W or 32"H x 64" W. Would either of those work okay? I know one is slightly smaller that the 2/3 rule and the other would put the art just over 3/4 of the sofa size. There is a 3rd option that is 40 "H x 60"W but that would only allow me to place the art 2" from the top of the sofa due to the cold air return vents. Thank you for your help! 🙂
I have 3 seat couch along a wall, with a narrow table on the left side between the wall and couch. I want to hang some art above the couch, but there is a window above one seat on the right side. Should the art be centered in the remaining wall space, or above the remaining 2 couch seats?
So, If hanging 2 peices of art one very large and one medium in size can you place the largest one on top? I noted you have pictured the small one above the larger one.
In placing 2 artworks stacked, what if the center turns out to be the space in between the two? I have one very large and one smaller below and the eye level line happens to be right at eye level. Should I swape the very large one out and pleace the small one on top? HELP!
I have a question – we have followed the 58-62” rule from the center of the piece to the floor and sometimes that makes the piece much more than 4-6 inches above the table. For example, I hung a mirror above a console table and the center is exactly 60” from the floor, but it is more than 12 inches above the table. What do you do in that situation? I have read on other sites that 8-12 inches above furniture is an acceptable range. I would love your opinion. Thanks!
We have two canvas landscapes 16×20. Do we center them above the couch or center them on the wall. Couch is not centered on wall.
Do different rules apply to hanging art above nightstands? My nightstands are 29 inches high and 27 inches wide and I’m struggling to determine what size art/frames to buy and how high to hang from the floor or furniture. LOVE your site. It is so beautiful and informative!
I am trying to select two large equestrian prints for a long wall in a large entry hall. I can chose them either moving right or left or straight on. Any rules for this such as facing each other or away from door?
It really helped when you talked about art pieces and how to hang them at the right spot! Recently, my wife and I decided our home needs a make-over! We want to get some new furniture pieces and hang artwork on our walls, so we’ll be sure to read your tips very carefully! Thanks for the advice on why we should hang art at eye level!