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Hanging pictures on a wall generally requires only a good eye and some sense of your own style. The amount of space available often dictates whether pictures are hung vertically or horizontally. If there is sufficient room on the wall and you want to present the unexpected, hang the pictures diagonally.
Hanging picures with a friend helps you get a second perspective.
Evaluate the Space
Determine whether the space will hold small or medium pictures. Using large pictures to place three on a wall generally will not work. The size of the pictures and bulk of the frames requires an especially large space. Additionally, large pictures may not blend together as well as small or medium pictures because large pictures look best without other prints used as embellishments.
Measure the width of each picture. If they are the same dimensions, then simply take the width times three, and add the amount of space to be between them. Up to four inches between pictures is enough. Too much space will result in a feeling of disconnect among the prints.
Consider the measurement down from the ceiling. One guideline is to place pictures about one-third of the way down the wall. If you are hanging prints above a fireplace, sofa or other furniture, then gauge the space roughly halfway between the ceiling and the top of the fireplace or furniture. The best effect is one that looks centered by both length and width.
Use a tape measure and pencil to mark the hanging spot for the center picture. Then, use a level and tape measure to measure the distance to the right and left of the center. If frames are seven inches wide, then you would mark approximately three and half inches from the end for the first picture for a center mark. For the second and third pictures, calculate the single width of the picture frame plus the space between. Measure the number of inches from the center of the first picture, then mark the spot with the pencil. Again, use the level to ensure the pencil markings are on an even line.
Once all measurements have been marked, hammer the picture hangers into the spots marked. Hang the pictures, making slight adjustments for straightness.
Things You Will Need
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- Pictures
- Tape measure and/or level
- Picture hangers
- Carpenter's pencil (or a No. 2 lead pencil)
- Medium or large hammer
Tip
Use pictures of different sizes to add interest. Pictures up to 14 inches should be only in a row vertically or horizontally.
Warning
Be sure pictures of different sizes have proportion for balance.
Pictures hung diagonally should be a small or medium size.
Use only one picture hook that is the proper size to hold the weight of the picture.
References
Writer Bio
Julianne Brown began SEO writing in October 2010 and has been working as a freelance editor/proofreader since 1998. Her articles appear on eHow and Answerbag. Brown holds a Bachelor of Science in education from Youngstown State University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Photo Credits
- Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
- Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
- Digital Vision./Digital Vision/Getty Images
- Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
- PhotoObjects.net/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
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Amp up your home décor with perfectly placed frames.
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The process of hanging a new painting or a collection of family photos can feel overwhelming. There are multiple pieces to examine and there ultimately isn't just one correct way to put them all together. Don't be afraid to play with a few different arrangements before landing on the best one for your space—the most pleasing set up may be the one you least expect.
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Necessary Materials
As is the case with any home decorating project, you'll need a few basic supplies to get the job done correctly.
- Tape measure
- Hammer
- Carpenter's level (24 inches long)
- 2 picture hooks
- 2 D-rings
How to Hang Pictures
Conventional wisdom suggests that pictures be hung at eye level, but there are many good reasons to hang pieces above or below a standard height. In any setting, you will need to react to the architecture and the furniture in your specific space. As a starting point, though, begin by learning how to hang pictures at eye level.
Measuring
When hanging pictures at eye level (or if you're setting up a grid or a series of pieces) precise measuring is needed achieve even spacing. If you're going by instinct as opposed to eye level, you don't need to be as exact.
- When hanging something at an average eye level, position its center 57 to 60 inches from the floor.
- Use this formula: Divide the height of the frame by two; from that number, subtract the distance from the top of the frame to the hanging hardware; add this number to 57, 58, 59, or 60.
- The final sum is the height (measured from the floor), and where the hangers should be put into the wall.
Hanging
When it's time to hang your art, use the method that provides the most stability. It's usually best to use two picture hangers, so frames don't swing or tilt.
- Install two D-rings on the back of the frame, directly opposite each other.
- Once you've decided where you want to hang a picture, make a mark on the wall in pencil for each hook; use the level to make sure the marks are at the same height.
- Hammer one picture hook into each mark you made on the wall.
- Pick up your picture and hook the D-rings over the picture hooks to hang your piece.
How to Arrange Pictures
The arrangement of frames on a wall has as much impact as the pictures themselves. A precise grid gives a formal look, while a group of pictures hung within a set square or rectangle feels instantly more casual. Whether you're working with a grouping of pictures or just one, artwork should generally be centered horizontally between two points, which makes a room feel balanced.
Plot Out Your Pictures
First, set out the pictures you want to hang; prop them against the walls, and consider your options. Look at every reasonable possibility. Have someone hold a piece up to the wall while you stand back and appraise (just cover the hanging hardware with masking tape first to keep it from scratching the paint). If you are grouping several pieces together, arrange and rearrange them on the floor until you find a composition you like.
Find a Common Thread Between Artwork
In most groupings, a common thread will tie the pieces together. Perhaps the pictures are part of a set or collection. If not, maybe the frames share the same style or the mats are all the same color. Sometimes, a grouping may not need a linking element—the only unifying theme may be its diversity. Such collections take a little more nerve and are best suited to a less formal room.
Let Your Furnishings Guide You
A few inches' shift in a hanging arrangement can affect the tone of an entire room. Move the pictures over a sofa or chair down a bit and the area will become more cohesive and cozy. Emphasize a chair rail by running a series of photos right above it. Hang several small pieces just over a desk—they'll provide a refreshing view when you look up from your work.
How to Arrange an Eclectic Group of Pictures
Mismatched elements are more of a challenge to hang than a set of identical prints in similar frames, but the results can be compelling and really make a room. Sketches, oil paintings, architectural renderings, a display of cameos, and a decorative wall bracket could be arranged in a free-form, asymmetrical grouping. The frames can be varied, but should share a somewhat formal feel to prevent your arrangement from feeling too chaotic.
Before putting a hole in the wall, establish the arrangement of pictures and pieces. Lay them out on the floor and up against a wall or piece of furniture; move them until the results suit you. For a mismatched grouping, the spacing doesn't need to be even, but try to avoid unbroken "rivers" of space running horizontally or vertically between pictures. Once your arrangement is set, use the same steps outlined above to hang the art.