9 Amazing Tips for Sizing and Hanging Wall Art

We get it. Hanging art can be intimidating, especially if you are hanging more than one piece. Never fear, our foolproof design tips for choosing the right size piece and hanging it in the right place on your wall, or over your sofa, dresser or sideboard will help you select and style art like a pro.

1. When hanging art over a single piece of furniture, like a sofa or sideboard, the art should be about two thirds of the width of the piece beneath it.
2. The center of the art should fall 57” to 60”from the floor. If the art is exceptionally large (and nothing is under it), the piece may need to be lower.
3. The lowest edge should be 6”-10” above any furniture.
4. When hanging a collection of 2-3 pieces in a straight line, treat the overall dimensions of the collection as a single piece. The individual items should be hung within a few inches of each other, so they relate to and function as one.
5. When designing a grid gallery wall, choose pieces of various sizes and mediums (canvas, photography, fiber) that are related by theme or color scheme. Space larger pieces 3-4 inches apart and smaller pieces 1.5” – 2.5” apart.
6. Lay all the pieces out on the floor in an area roughly the same dimension as the area of wall you hope to cover. Once you find a layout that sings, take a birds-eye-view photo so you can recreate it on the wall.
7. When hanging a gallery wall, the largest piece should be hung first, slightly off center then add the other pieces around it, sticking with the rules of spacing and making sure to vary color, subject and medium so the overall look is dynamic and interesting.
8. Finally, know when to break the rules: Art too big for the space is better than something too small for the space and hanging art closer to furniture is better than spacing it too far away!
9. Not sure it’s right? Take a photo of it, walk into a different room or just walk away for an hour and then look at the photograph as if you are looking at a magazine or observing someone else’s space and adjust if you need to.