Hanging a painting correctly is just as important as the choice of painting in itself. Nothing should be overlooked to assure that you get the best viewing experience of your brand new artwork. If done correctly, hanging art can have wonderful results. If done incorrectly, the whole enterprise will be, to put it lightly, unsuccessful. You might be an art lover, but not a DIY fan. The thought of approaching a nail and hammer sends shivers down your spine. Fret no more. These stress-free tips will make you the painting hanging master in no time!
Choosing the location
Before doing anything else, deciding where to hang your painting should be your first priority. Think about your walls in relation to the size of your painting. Keep in mind that a small painting might look a bit lonely on a large wall, whereas a large painting could look too domineering on a small wall. Do you want all of your walls to be covered with art, or quite the opposite, would rather leave some walls bare? A painting needs to make sense in a space, not look out of place.
Consider the height at which you wish your painting to be. Is your goal to create a focal point in your room with art? On the other hand, a painting can very well blend with its surroundings rather than being the main attraction. This entirely depends on your tastes and vision for your home. Here’s another piece of advice. If viewed from a standing position, an artwork should ideally be hung at eye level. Position it slightly lower in a room with lots of sitting position, such as the dining room or living room. It’s all about balance!
Sunlight exposure is another factor to take under consideration. Avoid placing your painting in direct sunlight. The painting can suffer from too much heat and light, which can cause colors to fade and deteriorate the artwork’s overall visual appearance over time. This is particularly true for oil and acrylic paintings and works on paper.
The right way to arranging paintings on a wall
In the case where you are hanging multiple paintings together, there are several options available to you. Works which are all of the same size can be arranged in a gallery style. The spacing between the artworks will depend on the number of artworks you are hanging. The fewer pictures you have, the closer together they should be.
Create a composition by placing the artworks directly on the floor. You will be able to visualize the arrangement and make changes easily, without committing yourself. Aim for your composition to look unified and neat.
Follow photographer Christian Cook’s advice and create a “visually calming” effect with two-top aligned rows of paintings. The top one should have two horizontal paintings at the same level and the row below two vertical paintings. Christian Cook also recommends hanging pictures which are identically sized in a horizontal, side-by-side display, and placing landscape paintings above smaller paintings, “horizontally from the top” then “vertically from the middle”.
Ready to get cracking?
Enough planning! Now is the time to take action. Start by gathering your essential tools: a hammer, nails, picture hooks, a measuring tape and a pencil. For hanging pictures at eye level (around 60 inches off the floor), do this formula: measure the height of the frame and divide it by two (to find the middle). Then, measure the distance from the top of the painting to the wire. Subtract that number from the previous results and add this number to 60. The result will correspond to where you should place your hanger.
For small pieces, one hook should be enough. Start by hammering the nail into the wall. Next, hang the painting on the nail using the hanging wire. For heavy artworks, D-rings will give you the best stability and support. Install two picture hooks, screwed in at the back of the frame. Make a mark on the wall which corresponds to each hook. Hammer the hooks into the wall. Place the D-rings over the hooks and hang your painting. Et voilà!
Leaning art is an easy and practical way to display your paintings and a great option for those who feel uncertain about putting holes in their wall. Use desks, chairs, walls and shelves to lean art against. There are no rules so let your imagination run free!
The key takeaway
Hanging paintings is no piece of cake. It requires patience, time and having the right tools at your disposal. With a little planning and a good strategy, you are ready to go! When in doubt, don’t hesitate to seek a professional’s advice. You can be sure to get an outstanding result.
