How-to hang the artwork on your abode’s walls

The artwork has been sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall. It has been there so long that the dust bunnies are nesting and settling in for the winter. Every day you look at it and say to yourself “can’t wait to get this on the walls, it is going to look great. Maybe I’ll do it this weekend!” This weekend is here!

These projects seem to get piled up until they are so overwhelming that you have no idea of where to start. The first step is to make a plan to accomplish the task and stick to it.

Decide the locations on your walls that you would like to place the artwork.

• Look through the décor magazines for inspiration on how artwork should look when properly presented in a room.

• The IKEA catalogue is also a good source to do research. IKEA has some well priced mirrors, prints, frames and mattes if you need any additional items.

Get together all of the tools that you will need for your picture hanging project

• Pencil with an eraser
• Tape measure
• Note paper
• Picture hanging hooks
• Hammer
• A level

These tips will help you with your hanging project:

• Art looks better when hung lower, rather than higher, even if you have tall ceilings. An exception to this would be if you are adding art above a cabinet or door to raise the perception of height.

• The bottom of art pieces should be no more than around 9 to 12 inches above the furniture such as a sofa, table, or bed.

  

• If you are hanging a grouping then you can first arrange the pieces on the floor to find a pattern you like.  Usually an odd number of pieces, such as 3, will look better than an even number. The pieces do not have to be symmetrical.

• Keep the center of the art at around eye level. This means the average eye level of around 60 inches to 66 inches. If you are a tall person, then obviously you will be hanging your art lower than your own eye level in order for it to look good.

Determine the eye level to hang your art

• Usually the art’s center is about 62 inches above the floor. Mark the wall with your pencil at 62 inches in the spot you would like to hang. This will be where the center of your artwork will sit on the wall.

• Let’s say the frame measures 24 inches high by 36 inches wide. The center of this piece is 12 inches from the top and bottom.

• If your art is to be hung from a wire on the back, you will need to pull up the center of the wire towards the top of your art and measure from the top of the center peak of the wire to the center of the piece. If this measurement equals 6 inches then you will be adding 6 inches to the 62 inches that you marked on the wall. This means that you will be placing your picture hook at 68 inches in order to achieve the finished hanging height that you want.

• Some pieces have one or two hang bars instead of wire. In this case you will need to measure from the center of the piece up to the hang bar and add this to the 62 inches that you measured on the wall. For two hang bars you need to be very precise with your measuring in order for the art to be hung straight. Use your level and double check your measurements.

• When hanging a grouping of artwork, determine the center of your grouping pattern. The center of the arrangement will be hung at your decided height of 62 inches and you will work out, up, and down from there. If hanging a group over furniture you can start from the bottom and work your way up.

  

Have fun mixing and matching frames and textures. You will be happy to have a finished project checked off the to-do list. The walls will be gorgeous and the floors are clear for playing. Be proud your achievement and never be afraid to dance!

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