One of the most thrilling aspects of decorating a home is adorning your walls with art. Whether you've acquired a rare piece from an art auction or crafted your own masterpiece, its presentation can significantly impact the overall aesthetics of your space. However, finding that sweet spot where your art sits just right can often be a challenge.
Before you grab your hammer and nails, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. The scale of the room, the type of wall art, the viewing angle, and the existing furniture are all key factors that influence where you should hang your art. Follow this guide to confidently place your art in its most flattering position.
Consider The Human Eye
Typically, museums and galleries hang their art with the center at 57 inches from the floor – a height considered to be at average human eye level. This technique works wonders in public spaces, but what about in your home? While the 57-inch rule is a good starting point, it doesn't necessarily translate seamlessly into domestic spaces where viewing conditions are much more variable.
Taking Furniture into Account
In rooms where furniture dictates the placement of art, such as living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas, the 57-inch rule often becomes secondary. Here, the art should relate to the furniture beneath or around it. As a general rule, the bottom edge of a frame should hang 6-9 inches above the top of a piece of furniture. This spacing allows the art and furniture to exist cohesively, each complementing the other without competing for attention.
Space Dynamics and Scale
The scale of the piece relative to the wall and surrounding decor is another crucial consideration. A small piece can get lost on a large wall, just as an oversized piece can overwhelm a small space. One trick is to fill in approximately two-thirds to three-quarters of your available wall space with the artwork.
If you’re working with smaller pieces, consider grouping them together to create a gallery wall. Here, balance and spacing are key. Start by laying your pieces out on the floor to determine a pleasing arrangement before committing to putting nails in the wall. The most visually pleasing arrangements often balance larger pieces with smaller ones, and darker pieces with lighter ones.
Individual Styles
Consider the style of the room and the artwork. Modern, minimalist spaces can often handle larger pieces with generous spacing around them. More traditional or eclectic styles may benefit from groupings of smaller pieces that fill the space more completely.
Shit Happens Bathroom Sign - Customizable Canvas
Vertical Positioning
When hanging art above furniture, remember that it's not just the horizontal positioning that matters, but also the vertical. The artwork should be centered with the middle of the piece or the grouping at eye level. When there's no furniture below, like in a hallway, the center of your artwork should usually be 57 to 60 inches from the floor.
Hanging Multiple Pieces
For multiple pieces of varying sizes, consider their arrangement as one unit. When hung over a piece of furniture, the entire grouping should be centered over the furniture or the available wall space. Similarly, in the case of a series, maintain an equal distance between frames to create a harmonious rhythm.
Flexibility
Ultimately, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to hanging art. These guidelines are just that - guides. Use them as a starting point and then adjust to fit your style, your space, and your art. The key is to create a balance between the art and its surroundings, ensuring it's neither too high that it feels disconnected nor too low that it's overlooked.
In conclusion, hanging wall art is an art in itself. It can transform the look and feel of your space, bringing life, color, and personality. When hung at the right height, it invites admiration, conversation, and appreciation.
To further elevate your home's aesthetic, consider adding a touch of unique style with the wall art, wall decor, and personalized signs available from Tailored Canvases. Their diverse selection of beautifully crafted pieces can help you create a harmonious flow within your home, aligning perfectly with the principles mentioned above. Tailored Canvases understands that the right piece of art, hung at the right height, can turn your home into a personalized work of art.
