Because so often I'm either asked this question or hear people frustrated about it, I thought I would take a quick moment to refresh the correct procedure for hanging artwork. This is particularly helpful when hanging artwork side by side.....
Artwork generally should be hung at approximately 60" to center (I also have read/heard 65" frequently). Generally speaking it is at eye level for most people.
- Measure the height of your artwork. For our example we are going to choose 32" tall.
- Divide this number in half to determine your center point. This makes it 16"
- Add the inches to your predetermined number - 60 + 16 = 76" This is where the top of the art will be.
- Measure the distance from the wire to the top of the frame. (make sure you pull the measuring tape up as if you were hanging the picture from it so that it is taught) Let's say 4" for easy math
- Subtract distance from wire (or saw tooth) from the new number... 76 - 4 = 72" This is where you make your mark on the wall
- Hang your picture hook with the bottom of it (where the wire actually hangs from) on the mark.
- (I find it easier for future use if you write your basic number on the back of the artwork - you'll do less math over the life of your work.
When hanging artwork over a chair rail, piece of furniture or other anchoring point, it should be approximately 6"-9" above it.
- The same basic steps as above, but instead of 60" (or 65") you'll use the 6" - 9" number to add to the half the height of your artwork.
- The rest of the steps are the same.
To know how far apart to hang your art, let the frame or matting be your guide. Using the width of one of these will be balanced to the eye. It should always work for whatever art you are hanging as it will always be to the proper scale.
Happy hanging!!
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Melissa Marro, a published artist, now turned staging advocate and national speaker speaks her mind about real estate and the home staging industry. In her 'no holds barred' approach, audience members find real answers to the industries pitfalls and learn how to overcome them with tried and true information and guidance. With marketing as her passion, she turned a small home based business into one of the nation's largest home staging and training facilities. Selling her successful home staging company in January 2012, Marro is now a full time speaker and instructor for Staging And Resign and Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)'s trade events.
For more information on having Marro speak at one of your real estate functions, please contact her at 843.619.1593 or email at marro.melissa@gmail.com
Another tip (unfortunately learned by experience!) Do not assume that when hanging a series of multiple pieces that the framer made the wires all the same length. It is critical to measure the distance from the wire to the top as you work to get them even!
Ah, so that's the secret! Thanks. And I love the tip of writing the number/formulation on the back of each picture.
As always, you are a fountain of great information!
Kathy - you just never know who needs one!
Jo - very good point! You do have to measure EACH & EVERY piece. They are always different.
Elaine - I am 60" tall as it happens, so I'm pretty good at eyeballing the height.... lol
Amy - very good then... glad to be of help
Juliet - I hope it is what you were asking for.
Elle - The math gets easier the more you do it too.....
Melissa - you are so fantabulous (yeah, I said fantabulous)! Thanks for this. GREAT tips! Hope all is well!
Amber
thanks for reveling tricks of the trade, I will sure to use your formula.
Shobha
Every little step saved nets us time to do something else. Thanks for the formula...T
Good reminders; it's funny how such a simple thing can often be sooo wrong! If only you could educate the entire general public too!
Too much work:) That is why my pictures probably don't look that good in my house!
Hanging art is an artform in itself. Too high or too low will give people a strange feeling. This is very technical post! :)
Cheers,
Cindy
Thanks for the lesson - now I have to go meausure all the pics in my home to make sure they are hung in the correct location.
I find that hanging artwork can actually come down to a formula that uses the science of average height together with the rule of thirds. Please visit my blog for full details and the actual formula at ScottTribe.com
Hi Melissa...there is an 'art' to hanging art! Following the guidelines you shared with us will make it easier. Great advice for the DIY homeowner stager too. Thanks...bookmarked it!
Wendy Casey - Vancouver, BC
Melissa,
Great viewpoint on how you hang pictures. This is a new formula for me.
I do know that we have noticed that sometimes the more challenging ones are the heavier ones that have the circle rings with the "V" type of screw on each side of the picture is one of the most challenging we have found to hang. You can not assume that those rings are exactly in the same place on each side of the picture. My son, is very technical on hanging our artwork. I will have to bookmark and share your formula for him to try out. Thanks for sharing!
Have a Colorful Day!