How to Hang Art (almost) Perfectly
Do you look around your home and see family photographs, framed certificates, gorgeous artworks you’ve collected over time. Is it straight, at the right height, positioned correctly and connected with the room?
This is quite a funny topic for us! We professionally hang a lot of art in corporate offices, medical centres, professional practices and of course many family homes. The original artworks or limited edition prints we hang are precious and we take a great deal of care when installing them. This care can easily be applied to other precious items we see on the surrounding walls.
Here are a couple of our pro tips that we apply when hanging pictures, certificates, artworks or mirrors…
#1 Use the right tools
Buildings move – with variations in weather, vibrations from passing vehicles... If your pictures have not been secured correctly they’ll naturally move as well. To ensure a straight finish that doesn’t shift about, we do not use string. Rather pictures are secured at two points with the correct picture hanging hooks and equipment – using the right tools for the job makes a big difference!
#2 Height is important
The height at which art is hung can be a subjective topic. But there are a few useful principals that can help you here. Walking around the variously shaped rooms of a home or a business, consider how each room is to be used and the typical viewing level of a person in that room. In larger rooms applying a “gallery height” principal can often give an effective result. This advises a mid point of around 155cm for each artwork. However, again flexibility is needed – consider the surrounding items and furnishings, and the average height and position of those who will be using the room.
#3 Attention to detail
When there’s more than one artwork or picture to be featured attention to detail really kicks in. It’s useful to understand how to position differently shaped frames or pictures together to compliment each other and use the wall space well. Understanding the desired finished look & style will guide relative positioning. The trick to know is that lining items up into perfectly straight lines across a wall is not always the way to get the best effect. For example – with multiple items consider the outer shape the frames make together. Consider positioning multiple small items to balance a larger anchor item on the wall… then add a bit of patience, and a level!
#4 Look at the whole room
Now take a step back! Has the positioning of pictures brought the whole room together? That’s the aim – as your art is always enjoyed in this context.
Professional picture hanging is a service the Art Bureau is delighted to offer.
Avoid art that’s moved, tilted or leaning out – we will hang and place it all securely and with an eye for detail. Whether you have one precious item or multiple pieces that require careful placement, if you’d like to have your existing items hung professionally please give us a call.
