How to Hang Art in Your Home Like a Pro (Part 2)

Hmmm, what now? In part two of this journal entry I will lead you through all the tips and tricks to designing your wall space and the practical ‘how to’ aspects of hanging your favourite art in your home.

So, you’ve chosen a paint colour that excites you and done the hard work painting the walls. You’ve thought the space through, moved furniture and made decisions about what goes where and which way around. You must be exhausted 😊. Now it’s time for the fun part – time to choose a spot on the wall for the art you love and start drilling holes. But where? And how? Read on for all the pro tips to create a space that reflects you perfectly!

Step 3: Decide on placement

Generally a single artwork should be hung so that the centre of the work is at about eye level. Although, if the artwork is going to be hung over a low table or a sofa you may need to hang it lower so that it maintains a connection with the other elements in the room and isn’t floating on its own (unless that is what you want of course).

If you are hanging a gallery wall, then the centre of the arrangement should be at approximately eye level with care taken that pieces don’t end up hanging too low or too high to be properly enjoyed. Sometimes it is easier to arrange a gallery wall display on the floor, moving pieces around until you are happy with them before hanging them on the wall.

I often cheat a little by using pieces of paper (newspaper is great) cut to the same size as the artwork and tacked to the wall to help me decide where artwork should hang. This way I can move them about until I am happy and even live with them for a few days if I am a little unsure. This is a great way to help decide on the placement of single artworks as well, particularly if you want to be sure that your lanky teenage son won’t bang his head every time he sits on the sofa or knock your favourite painting every time he leaves with his sports bag 😊.

Eye level is the perfect height to hang your artwork because it makes it easy to view and appreciate. Despite this, most of our homes aren’t like a gallery space so be a little flexible and consider the whole look you are after when choosing where to hang your art.

Step 4: Hang your artwork

How you hang your artwork depends on what type of wall you have. It is often best to ask questions of your local experts if you are unsure about the type of walls you have in your home. You will need some basic tools such as a tape measure, hammer, drill and perhaps a screwdriver.

A basic household tool kit should be all you need to hang your paintings. But… if this pic makes you break out in a cold sweat, never fear, there are other options that will still give you a great result.

If you have a plasterboard wall it will sound hollow when you knock on it and have areas which will sound solid when knocked where the timbers supporting the walls are located (studs). If your artwork is heavy, then you will probably need to attach it through the wall and into the stud. Lighter artworks can be hung directly onto the plasterboard.  Depending on the artwork you will be able to use a variety of hanging mechanisms including brackets, hooks and screws inserted into winged plugs. Your local picture framer or hardware store will be able to help you decide on the best option.

If you have double brick, concrete, or stone walls then they will sound solid and not at all hollow if you knock on them. The options for hanging your artwork again include brackets, hooks and screws but are different from those suitable for a hollow wall. Again, your local framer or hardware store are a great resource to help you choose the best option for hanging. If your artwork is heavy be sure to affix it to the solid brick or stone and not to the softer mortar joints where it might pull out.

Exactly where to drill the hole may depend on what type of hanging structure your artwork has. Measurements should be taken from the highest central point of the wire or D-rings and subtracted from the height you want the top of the picture to hang at. This can be a little tricky, so it is better to measure twice before getting too carried away. Remember though that nothing is forever, and holes can always be filled and patched.

Measure twice, cut (or in this case drill) once - boring but sage advice. If you are hanging a gallery wall you should also start from the central piece and work outwards - just in case you get the measurements a little off.

If you prefer not to make individual holes in your walls there are many track hanging systems available which can be installed higher up the wall than the desired height of your art and then artwork can be hung on adjustable wire or synthetic cables. There are also adhesive hook options for small to medium weight artworks which will not mark your walls at all and are particularly useful for people who rent a home or those who like to change the art on their walls regularly.

 Step 5: Relax and enjoy your art and your home.

There is nothing like personalising your space to make you feel relaxed and at home and there is nothing more personal than art that truly makes you happy. I hope you take delight in each step of the process outlined above but most of all – I hope you remind yourself from time to time to really look at your artwork as you pass by or sit relaxing in your home – I bet you find a little something you had never noticed before or perhaps forgot was there. This is the true joy of art – the little thrill you get every time it touches your soul!

Congratulations on creating and curating your space! No matter what your style, surrounding yourself with things you love that give you joy is one of life’s greatest pleasures - art is certainly one of those things for me, I hope it is for you too.