How High to Hang Pictures: Design Expert Rules

Have you ever hung a picture, realized the height was off, and ended up with several holes in the wall as you attempted to find the right placement? You're definitely not alone if you're not sure how high to hang pictures on your walls. But you don't have to eyeball it—there's actually a formula developed by design experts that makes hanging pictures a breeze. To help you get started, we created a guide for exactly how to hang pictures or art, as well as tips that offer helpful ideas and designer secrets for getting the best look when hanging artwork.

What Is the Correct Height to Hang Pictures?

According to the experts, 57 inches from the center of your picture to the floor seems to be the sweet spot for standard height. The 57-inch rule isn't always perfect, and if it looks low, you can increase that to 60 inches for art or photographs. This rule is designed to hang pictures at eye level for the average person, so consider that it won't be exactly at eye level for every household member.

Another way to use the 57-inch rule is to measure the full height of your picture and then divide that number in half. Add the resulting number to 57, which will be the perfect height for the top of your frame on the wall (place the nail here).

When to Break the 57-Inch Rule for Picture Height

Consider the artwork you're hanging and its relationship to its surroundings. Whether you display a framed picture over a sofa, on a stairway wall, or in the entryway, each space has unique elements to consider. Also, take the time to try out various heights and locations before you punch holes in the wall for picture hooks.

Tips for Hanging Art in Special Situations

Here are tips on hanging art in your home when the 57-inch rule doesn't apply:

• Gallery walls: When working with a grouping of pictures or objects for a gallery wall, think of the grouping as one large picture and relate the bottom of the entire grouping to the furniture underneath it.
• Hallways and entryways: Will you mostly be standing in the room? If so, hanging artwork higher than the 60- to 62-inch center starting point may make sense–especially if the ceiling is tall.
• Hanging pictures above furniture: In a room where you generally sit down (a dining room, family room, or office), hang pictures a bit lower so they can be enjoyed at a lower viewing angle. Sit in a chair and have someone hold the picture against the wall, moving it up and down so you can evaluate the look.
• Large pictures: A large framed piece over a sofa or sideboard relates more easily when hung so the bottom of the frame is positioned six-to-12 inches above the top of the sofa back or tabletop, centered relative to the couch or piece of furniture.
• Small pictures: If your artwork is small, consider hanging it with other pictures or objects, such as plates, mirrors, or decorative items. A small picture hung on a large wall can look out of balance. Look for narrow walls (such as the spaces between two doorways or windows) and consider hanging two or three small pictures in a vertical line. In this case, treat the center picture as the center of the grouping.
• Rooms with high ceilings: When ceilings are 8 feet to 9 feet, consider hanging the artwork a few inches higher, about 60 inches. With a ceiling up to 10 feet or more, you can go another few inches to about 62 inches.
  
• Vertical art: Does the center rule apply if you hang a tall vertical picture, panel, or poster? In this case, it may be better to consider placing the art so the top third of the picture is near eye level. However, the actual height of the piece will determine the best position on the wall. Again, have someone hold it lower and higher so you can see what looks best.
  
• Use templates: If you're hanging artwork by yourself, cut paper templates to size for each piece of art and attach the paper cutouts to the wall with painter's tape. This prep work will allow you to stand back and see how the artwork's size relates to your room and furniture. Move the template up and down to find the perfect spot before hanging the picture.
  

Where Not to Hang Pictures

Never hang valued pieces of art in places where they can be damaged. Also, avoid hanging prized artwork in direct sunlight. The UV radiation can cause fading, cracking, and warping.

Also, if the temperature or humidity of a room fluctuates dramatically, like in a bathroom, kitchen, basement, sunroom, garage, or attic, be mindful of what artwork you place in those rooms. Instead, consider using framed prints, photographs, or laminated posters that are moisture-resistant materials or made of metal, glass, or acrylic.

How to Hang Artwork

The best way to hang artwork depends on its weight, size, and the type of surface it will hang from. You can choose from sawtooth hangers, wire hangers, Velcro or adhesive strips and hooks, and more. Special products, such as brick tension hangers or wall anchors, might be required for your project.

• Tools needed: Use a tape measure and level when hanging artwork for precise results. It helps to have two people for this task. One person hangs the art while the other stands back, eyeballs it, and directs the other.
• Measure and mark the wall: Measure height up from the floor. Lightly mark the center point with a pencil on the wall. Usually, the midpoint of the work is at about eye level (there are always exceptions to this rule). Determine where the hang point (or points, if hanging from two points or two wires) will be based on the center point. Use the measuring tape.
• Place first hanger or nail: Use the bubble level with the first hanger or nail as your guide to mark the second spot before inserting the second hanger or nail in the wall. If you only have one hang spot, skip this and go straight to hanging the picture.
• Hang the picture: Hang the art from the hang spot (or spots). Use the level on the top of the frame to check the picture is level. Often, a mini tilt of the frame can make a difference.
  

Troubleshooting Issues When Hanging Art

If you are craning your neck to look at a beautiful piece of art in the room, you've likely hung it too high. The best part about hanging artwork is that it's an easy fix. You may have a few extra holes in the wall, but that's also easy to remedy.

• Artwork keeps getting crooked: If you've found the perfect height but the artwork continues to tilt to one side, add another wire and hang from both wires or move the wire up on the frame. A low wire is less sturdy, making the picture easier to shift. Using two wires gives the picture two hanging points, creating a sturdier option.
• Mounting art on drywall: Drywall or sheetrock is often thin and can't sustain much weight from hanging nails. Use drywall anchors to ensure your artwork stays up without any hassles.
• Issues hanging on concrete or brick: Concrete, brick, or stone are hard surfaces often requiring a drill, masonry drill bits, and a mortar anchor. Use special no-drill "brick clips" that use tension anchors in the spaces between bricks for light artwork or pictures.
• Hanging art on plaster walls: When hanging art on plaster, consider the weight. Use Velcro strips for art weighing less than 5 pounds. Hammer in nails at a downward angle from art up to 10 pounds. For art heavier than 10 pounds, use anchors or special plaster bolts.
• Apartment no-hang policies: If you live in an apartment or rental unit that states no nails are allowed in the walls, consider adhesive or Velcro strips or adhesive hooks. These can effectively hang art weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Filling holes in the wall: Fill holes using wall putty, spackling paste, or joint compound. Apply it with a putty knife, or for small holes, use your finger to fill the hole. Sand it smooth if it's not flush with the wall.