How to hang a painting
Most people hang their artwork too high. Consider hanging your art so that the vertical center of each piece is fifty-seven inches above the floor. This is the average human eye height and has become the standard in most galleries and museums. By sticking with the fifty-seven inch standard, your art collection will appear in harmony with regard to each other and is more likely to be found pleasing. If you are mounting a group of paintings, align the central piece first, then proceed to surround the group around the center work. Be sure and leave at least 3" between each painting. Also, keep in mind when laying out groups of paintings, odd numbered groups of paintings are more visually pleasing than groups of even numbers of paintings.
How to follow the fifty-seven inch standard:
- Measure the height of your painting, including the frame, and divide this distance by two.
- Measure the distance from the top of your painting, including the frame, to the hanging wire, when pulled tight towards the top of the frame.
- Subtract the result of #2 from the result of #1. This is how far above 57" your hook should be mounted.
- Add the result of #3 to 57". This is how high you should mount your hook to properly place the center of your artwork at 57" above the floor.
For example:
- Painting is 24" tall with a 2" frame on all sides. (24" painting + 2" top + 2" bottom = 28"). 28 / 2 = 14"
- The hanging wire pulls to 4" below the top of the frame.
- 14" - 4" = 10"
- 10" + 57" = 67"
You would mount your hook at 67" above the floor. This may seem complex but it is quite simple after you have done it a few times. Just remember to double-check your measurements and your math!