About Author
Suzanne Bowker
Suzanne Bowker
Suzanne is an Owner/Designer
About Author
Suzanne Bowker
Suzanne is an Owner/Designer
Artwork can transform a room, creating personality, balance, and visual interest. But hanging art is more than just hammering a nail into the wall. From spacing to proportions, the details matter. Whether you’re showcasing a statement piece or a curated gallery wall, this guide will give you everything you need to hang art like a pro.
Artwork can transform a room, creating personality, balance, and visual interest. But hanging art is more than just hammering a nail into the wall. From spacing to proportions, the details matter. Whether you’re showcasing a statement piece or a curated gallery wall, this guide will give you everything you need to hang art like a pro.
1. How Much Wall Space Should Artwork Take Up?
Choosing the right size art for your wall is critical to maintaining proportion and balance in a space. Here’s a general rule:
Artwork should take up 2/3 to 3/4 of the wall space. For example, if you’re hanging art above a sofa or bed, measure the furniture’s width and aim for your artwork to fill 2/3 to 3/4 of that length.
For an open wall with no furniture, consider grouping smaller pieces to create a visual impact, or use one large piece that anchors the space.
2. Spacing Guidelines: Key Measurements for Hanging Art
Hanging artwork at the correct height and spacing ensures it looks intentional and fits seamlessly in your space. Follow these guidelines:
From the Floor
The center of the artwork should sit at 57-60 inches from the floor, which is the average eye level. This rule applies to individual pieces and grouped gallery walls.
For oversized art (larger than 60 inches tall), place the bottom edge 12-18 inches above the floor.
From the Ceiling
Keep art a minimum of 6 inches below the ceiling. If your ceilings are tall (9+ feet), avoid floating artwork too high in the room.
From the Edge of the Room or Adjacent Walls
Leave at least 6-10 inches between the edge of the wall and the artwork to avoid a cramped look.
3. Hanging Art Above Furniture
Artwork hung above furniture needs to complement the scale and proportions of the piece below it. Use these specific guidelines:
Above a Sofa
Width: The artwork (or grouping of art) should be 2/3 the width of the sofa.
Height: Hang the bottom of the artwork 6-8 inches above the sofa back. If it’s too high, it will feel disconnected.
Above a Credenza or Console Table
Width: The art should span 2/3 to 3/4 of the width of the credenza.
Height: Leave 6-10 inches between the top of the furniture and the bottom edge of the artwork.
Styling Tip: Layer smaller art pieces on the surface or lean them against the wall for depth.
Above a Bed
Width: Choose art that is roughly 2/3 to 3/4 the width of the bed. For king-sized beds, a diptych (two matching art pieces) works well.
Height: Position the bottom edge 6-12 inches above the headboard.
Above a Dining Table
Height: Hang art 8-12 inches above the back of dining chairs or about 60 inches to the center.
Consider the sightline across the table: The art should be visible but not overwhelm diners at eye level.
Above a Chair
Treat smaller accent chairs like you would a sofa. Center artwork roughly 6-10 inches above the back of the chair.
4. Sightlines and Low-Hanging Lighting
Consider how artwork relates to other elements in the room, such as pendant lights, chandeliers, and sightlines.
Lighting: Be mindful of low-hanging lighting like chandeliers or sconces. Hang art so it aligns harmoniously with lighting fixtures without overwhelming them.
Sightlines Across Rooms: Ensure artwork flows visually from one space to another. If you see a piece of art from an adjacent room, it should feel intentional and tie into the overall design.
5. Creating Gallery Walls
Gallery walls are a great way to combine multiple smaller pieces into one impactful arrangement. Below are a few tips, but check out this post for a more in depth review.
Spacing Between Frames
Keep consistent spacing: 2-3 inches between frames for a clean, cohesive look.
Avoid placing pieces too far apart or too close together. Consistency creates balance.
Arranging the Gallery
Start with the largest piece as the anchor and build around it.
Use butcher paper or templates to lay out your design on the wall before hanging.
Aim to keep the gallery’s center at 57-60 inches from the floor.
6. Special Tips for Large or Oversized Art
Oversized art can act as a statement piece. Hang it low for drama and connection to the space.
Anchor large art with a piece of furniture, like a credenza, sofa, or bed, to avoid the “floating” effect.
For very tall walls, hang the piece 1/3 from the bottom to ground it visually.
7. Final Checklist for Hanging Artwork
Before you hammer in that nail, run through this checklist:
Does the width of the artwork complement the furniture below it?
Is the artwork centered at 57-60 inches from the floor?
Are you spacing pieces 2-3 inches apart for galleries or 6-10 inches above furniture?
Have you considered lighting fixtures and sightlines?
Does the art feel grounded and visually balanced?
Conclusion
Hanging artwork isn’t an exact science, but following these measurements and tips will ensure your walls look polished and intentional. Whether you’re hanging a single statement piece, balancing art above furniture, or creating a gallery wall, the key is to maintain balance, proportion, and harmony in your space.
Need help getting it perfect? As professional designers, we’d love to take the guesswork out of it for you. Get in touch with us to bring your walls to life—artfully and effortlessly.
1. How Much Wall Space Should Artwork Take Up?
Choosing the right size art for your wall is critical to maintaining proportion and balance in a space. Here’s a general rule:
Artwork should take up 2/3 to 3/4 of the wall space. For example, if you’re hanging art above a sofa or bed, measure the furniture’s width and aim for your artwork to fill 2/3 to 3/4 of that length.
For an open wall with no furniture, consider grouping smaller pieces to create a visual impact, or use one large piece that anchors the space.
2. Spacing Guidelines: Key Measurements for Hanging Art
Hanging artwork at the correct height and spacing ensures it looks intentional and fits seamlessly in your space. Follow these guidelines:
From the Floor
The center of the artwork should sit at 57-60 inches from the floor, which is the average eye level. This rule applies to individual pieces and grouped gallery walls.
For oversized art (larger than 60 inches tall), place the bottom edge 12-18 inches above the floor.
From the Ceiling
Keep art a minimum of 6 inches below the ceiling. If your ceilings are tall (9+ feet), avoid floating artwork too high in the room.
From the Edge of the Room or Adjacent Walls
Leave at least 6-10 inches between the edge of the wall and the artwork to avoid a cramped look.
3. Hanging Art Above Furniture
Artwork hung above furniture needs to complement the scale and proportions of the piece below it. Use these specific guidelines:
Above a Sofa
Width: The artwork (or grouping of art) should be 2/3 the width of the sofa.
Height: Hang the bottom of the artwork 6-8 inches above the sofa back. If it’s too high, it will feel disconnected.
Above a Credenza or Console Table
Width: The art should span 2/3 to 3/4 of the width of the credenza.
Height: Leave 6-10 inches between the top of the furniture and the bottom edge of the artwork.
Styling Tip: Layer smaller art pieces on the surface or lean them against the wall for depth.
Above a Bed
Width: Choose art that is roughly 2/3 to 3/4 the width of the bed. For king-sized beds, a diptych (two matching art pieces) works well.
Height: Position the bottom edge 6-12 inches above the headboard.
Above a Dining Table
Height: Hang art 8-12 inches above the back of dining chairs or about 60 inches to the center.
Consider the sightline across the table: The art should be visible but not overwhelm diners at eye level.
Above a Chair
Treat smaller accent chairs like you would a sofa. Center artwork roughly 6-10 inches above the back of the chair.
4. Sightlines and Low-Hanging Lighting
Consider how artwork relates to other elements in the room, such as pendant lights, chandeliers, and sightlines.
Lighting: Be mindful of low-hanging lighting like chandeliers or sconces. Hang art so it aligns harmoniously with lighting fixtures without overwhelming them.
Sightlines Across Rooms: Ensure artwork flows visually from one space to another. If you see a piece of art from an adjacent room, it should feel intentional and tie into the overall design.
5. Creating Gallery Walls
Gallery walls are a great way to combine multiple smaller pieces into one impactful arrangement. Below are a few tips, but check out this post for a more in depth review.
Spacing Between Frames
Keep consistent spacing: 2-3 inches between frames for a clean, cohesive look.
Avoid placing pieces too far apart or too close together. Consistency creates balance.
Arranging the Gallery
Start with the largest piece as the anchor and build around it.
Use butcher paper or templates to lay out your design on the wall before hanging.
Aim to keep the gallery’s center at 57-60 inches from the floor.
6. Special Tips for Large or Oversized Art
Oversized art can act as a statement piece. Hang it low for drama and connection to the space.
Anchor large art with a piece of furniture, like a credenza, sofa, or bed, to avoid the “floating” effect.
For very tall walls, hang the piece 1/3 from the bottom to ground it visually.
7. Final Checklist for Hanging Artwork
Before you hammer in that nail, run through this checklist:
Does the width of the artwork complement the furniture below it?
Is the artwork centered at 57-60 inches from the floor?
Are you spacing pieces 2-3 inches apart for galleries or 6-10 inches above furniture?
Have you considered lighting fixtures and sightlines?
Does the art feel grounded and visually balanced?
Conclusion
Hanging artwork isn’t an exact science, but following these measurements and tips will ensure your walls look polished and intentional. Whether you’re hanging a single statement piece, balancing art above furniture, or creating a gallery wall, the key is to maintain balance, proportion, and harmony in your space.
Need help getting it perfect? As professional designers, we’d love to take the guesswork out of it for you. Get in touch with us to bring your walls to life—artfully and effortlessly.
1. How Much Wall Space Should Artwork Take Up?
Choosing the right size art for your wall is critical to maintaining proportion and balance in a space. Here’s a general rule:
Artwork should take up 2/3 to 3/4 of the wall space. For example, if you’re hanging art above a sofa or bed, measure the furniture’s width and aim for your artwork to fill 2/3 to 3/4 of that length.
For an open wall with no furniture, consider grouping smaller pieces to create a visual impact, or use one large piece that anchors the space.
2. Spacing Guidelines: Key Measurements for Hanging Art
Hanging artwork at the correct height and spacing ensures it looks intentional and fits seamlessly in your space. Follow these guidelines:
From the Floor
The center of the artwork should sit at 57-60 inches from the floor, which is the average eye level. This rule applies to individual pieces and grouped gallery walls.
For oversized art (larger than 60 inches tall), place the bottom edge 12-18 inches above the floor.
From the Ceiling
Keep art a minimum of 6 inches below the ceiling. If your ceilings are tall (9+ feet), avoid floating artwork too high in the room.
From the Edge of the Room or Adjacent Walls
Leave at least 6-10 inches between the edge of the wall and the artwork to avoid a cramped look.
3. Hanging Art Above Furniture
Artwork hung above furniture needs to complement the scale and proportions of the piece below it. Use these specific guidelines:
Above a Sofa
Width: The artwork (or grouping of art) should be 2/3 the width of the sofa.
Height: Hang the bottom of the artwork 6-8 inches above the sofa back. If it’s too high, it will feel disconnected.
Above a Credenza or Console Table
Width: The art should span 2/3 to 3/4 of the width of the credenza.
Height: Leave 6-10 inches between the top of the furniture and the bottom edge of the artwork.
Styling Tip: Layer smaller art pieces on the surface or lean them against the wall for depth.
Above a Bed
Width: Choose art that is roughly 2/3 to 3/4 the width of the bed. For king-sized beds, a diptych (two matching art pieces) works well.
Height: Position the bottom edge 6-12 inches above the headboard.
Above a Dining Table
Height: Hang art 8-12 inches above the back of dining chairs or about 60 inches to the center.
Consider the sightline across the table: The art should be visible but not overwhelm diners at eye level.
Above a Chair
Treat smaller accent chairs like you would a sofa. Center artwork roughly 6-10 inches above the back of the chair.
4. Sightlines and Low-Hanging Lighting
Consider how artwork relates to other elements in the room, such as pendant lights, chandeliers, and sightlines.
Lighting: Be mindful of low-hanging lighting like chandeliers or sconces. Hang art so it aligns harmoniously with lighting fixtures without overwhelming them.
Sightlines Across Rooms: Ensure artwork flows visually from one space to another. If you see a piece of art from an adjacent room, it should feel intentional and tie into the overall design.
5. Creating Gallery Walls
Gallery walls are a great way to combine multiple smaller pieces into one impactful arrangement. Below are a few tips, but check out this post for a more in depth review.
Spacing Between Frames
Keep consistent spacing: 2-3 inches between frames for a clean, cohesive look.
Avoid placing pieces too far apart or too close together. Consistency creates balance.
Arranging the Gallery
Start with the largest piece as the anchor and build around it.
Use butcher paper or templates to lay out your design on the wall before hanging.
Aim to keep the gallery’s center at 57-60 inches from the floor.
6. Special Tips for Large or Oversized Art
Oversized art can act as a statement piece. Hang it low for drama and connection to the space.
Anchor large art with a piece of furniture, like a credenza, sofa, or bed, to avoid the “floating” effect.
For very tall walls, hang the piece 1/3 from the bottom to ground it visually.
7. Final Checklist for Hanging Artwork
Before you hammer in that nail, run through this checklist:
Does the width of the artwork complement the furniture below it?
Is the artwork centered at 57-60 inches from the floor?
Are you spacing pieces 2-3 inches apart for galleries or 6-10 inches above furniture?
Have you considered lighting fixtures and sightlines?
Does the art feel grounded and visually balanced?
Conclusion
Hanging artwork isn’t an exact science, but following these measurements and tips will ensure your walls look polished and intentional. Whether you’re hanging a single statement piece, balancing art above furniture, or creating a gallery wall, the key is to maintain balance, proportion, and harmony in your space.
Need help getting it perfect? As professional designers, we’d love to take the guesswork out of it for you. Get in touch with us to bring your walls to life—artfully and effortlessly.
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