How To Hang Wall Art Like A Gallery Curator

An original piece of artwork is a meaningful investment that should be displayed with pride and care. You were impressed with its expert positioning at the gallery, so naturally, you’ll want to recreate that level of precision at home. Properly placing your artwork is a special skill that requires time and accuracy. Fortunately, we’re here to teach you exactly how to do it. Taking the extra steps to figure out exact measurements and adjusting your lighting will give your home a gallery feel while preserving the optimal condition of your artwork. Below we’re sharing expert tips on how to hang wall art like a pro so that your artwork can be enjoyed at its finest.

 

Concussion - Panel 4 - Oil Painting is the fourth panel of the Secret Life of Plants series.($2,400)

Carefully Consider The Placement

Figuring out the perfect placement for your painting comes down to precision and mathematics. Once you’ve figured out the general area you’d like your painting to be hung, you’ll need to carefully measure the length and width of your wall.

 

In general, all artwork should be hung at eye level. This creates a comfortable viewing experience. Galleries, museums, and interior decorators tend to follow the 57’ rule, which states that the center of your piece of artwork should be 57’ from the floor. This is the average eye level of most adults, making it a fail-proof formula for success. If you’re working with a completely empty wall, simply align your painting to the center of your wall. If you’re working around windows or furniture, you can adjust the widths from those objects.

 

Exceptions to the 57’ rule can be made if your room has low ceilings. Instead, use the quarter formula. Divide the length of your wall into quarters and place the artwork in the second highest quadrant, as this will be closest to eye level.

 

Ensure your artwork will be straight by using a spirit level before placing it. You can be even more thorough by using masking tape as a guide.

 

Into the Light Framed Giclee Print museum-quality ($198)

How To Place Artwork Above Furniture

The empty space above a couch, headboard, or fireplace is an ideal location for artwork. A painting or two will fill up the space beautifully.

 

Allow about 8’-10’ of space between the top of your furniture and the bottom of your painting. To ensure your artwork is centered, measure the width of your furniture and the painting, then match the centers up accordingly. If you’re going for two smaller pieces of artwork, they shouldn’t take up more than ⅔ of the width of your furniture.

Choose The Right Lighting

The right lighting can literally make or break an artwork display. Correct lighting will accentuate certain details and colors, while the wrong lighting can eventually damage the piece. Avoid lighting that emits high levels of heat and UV rays, such as halogen bulbs. Instead, choose LED bulbs that emit low levels of heat and are UV-free. These bulbs are also more energy-efficient, making them a win-win choice for your home.

 

You’ll also want to avoid natural light, as it’s another source of UV and infrared light. Place your artwork in locations away from direct sources of natural light to prolong and preserve their beauty.

 

The Rising With The Wave Oil Mixed Media Painting ($1995)

 

Now that you’ve learned how to hang wall art like an expert, why not add to your collection? We’ll soon be sharing a decor guide on how to match your artwork to your furnishings, as well as building the perfect gallery wall. In the meantime, you can explore Fine Art By Ane’s stunning range of original expressionist oil paintings!

Look out for the upcoming Decor Guide!

Main Top Banner painting is called End of Summer ($2200)