Most people hang their art too high, or have difficulty arranging artwork on the wall. This post by Kim Dillon has great tips on making the job easier.
I'm 5 foot, 10 inches tall. If you are 5'2" or 6'4", we probably don't see eye to eye--at least, when it comes to hanging art!
Hanging art at eye level is a rule that just doesn't work! A better rule to begin the process: leave 1/3 of wall space above the picture and 2/3 of space below. Another guide I find very helpful when hanging art over a table or sofa is to leave two fists of space between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the picture. Both of these are easy, no measure methods.
When you really want to delve into the finer points of hanging art, I found a very complete article at this link: http://interiordec.about.com/od/artindecorating/a/Gwheretohangart.htm
Once you have decided where to hang the art, here are some more tips/tools I find helpful:
- Hercules Hooks--they are my favorite tool and save lots of time and aggravation!
- To keep things on center--use two hangers (or nails) about 5" from each outside edge (bumpers on the bottom of pictures helps with this as well and protect walls, but if you are staging with the home owner's own art, you may not want to take the time to add bumpers).
- For staging, keep art around the room at approximately the same height so the eye has an easy journey!
- Cut our shapes the size of frames and tape on wall with painter's tape before attempting to hang groupings. You can even measure where the nails should be!
- Wear an apron to keep your tools handy!
I would love to know any other tips you have to make this job faster!
Submitted by Kim Dillon, Creative Eye Home Staging serving areas of Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland.
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Sharon.....what a great post.....I 5'3" stretched and always have a difficult time judging where eye level is for normal sized people....now I know!!
Sharon, good information. Now I have to rehang all of my art work. Thanks for reblogging.
Sharon- thanks for reblogging this. Probably would have missed it and hanging pictures is not my favorite thing to do.
This is great! I always wonder if I'm hanging my artwork in a good fashion.
Great visual aids Sharon! I just hung art in a newly purchased 4,000sf home yesterday and was I TIRED after that job! Lazers and levels arn't all that helpful except on spacing groups (had way to many of those). I could have used this info yesterday :)
Barbara: I thought the information would be valuable to people and wanted to pass it on.
Michael: Sorry if this makes more work for you!
Kathy: Glad you found it useful!
Chris: Wonder no longer! Now you can be an expert!
Peggy: Sorry you didn't find the post sooner, but at least you have the info for the future.
Sahron
Thanks foe sharing, it's a great tip.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Lou: Thanks!
This is a good post. Thanks for the re-blog I didn't see the original. I was in a home recently where pictures were hung like I have never seen before. Every picture in the house was hung right at ceiling level. They were hung right where each wall met the ceiling. Either that home had incredibly tall people or they were just going for a different look. It was definitely odd to look at!
Debra: Memorable though! Maybe that is what they were going for...being remembered! I've never seen that before.
this is a great guied for the decorating impaired! My husband will always hang things WAY too high when I'm not around. But then I'm 5'3 and he;s 6'. Still, too high!
Hi, Sharon. I LOVE the idea of making shapes of the actual pictures and getting the spacing right. I bought several old maps and old hunt prints when I was in the Air Force, stationed in England. Now I've hung them as groupings and did it by the seat of my pants. I hate having to pull a nail out and move it over 1/16th of an inch but pine boards are far more forgiving than drywall or worse...plaster!
Janna: That's a big difference in height you have there! Hope this helps next time something needs hanging!
Leslie: Sounds like a project for your free time...next time you find some! lol!