How to Hang Wall Art Like a Pro

Transform a Room into an Experience

Few things can enhance a room’s ambiance like the right piece of wall art. It adds personality, color, and style, effortlessly turning a mere space into a reflection of your taste and essence. How you hang your artwork makes the difference between just a room and an experience. If you want to hang your photographic artwork just like the pros do, follow this friendly, detailed guide to make sure everything looks polished and harmonious.

Selecting the Best Art for a Room or Wall

The first step to creating a gallery-worthy display is choosing the right art. Think about the size of your art in relation to the wall space available. A grand statement piece can transform a large wall, while a more modest or petite artwork fits perfectly on smaller walls. The right photographic art can transform your room by adding a window to an empty wall, all without starting a major construction project. Whether you live in the urban core or or suburbia, photographic art allows you to create your own window to the most beautiful views in the world. Remember to pick pieces that resonate with the room’s décor, furniture, and color palette. Trust your instincts, well-chosen artwork creates the soul of your room.

Determining Placement

Where you hang your art matters just as much as what you hang. The golden rule is to place the horizontal middle of each picture at eye level, which is typically between 55 to 65 inches from the floor. This rule isn’t set in stone, though! Modify it based on the size of your art, ceiling height, and furniture dimensions. Begin by placing your largest piece at eye level. For rooms with furniture like sofas or tables, the bottom of the artwork should float above the back of the furniture, creating a balanced look.

Maintaining a Horizontal Line

After you’ve hung your largest piece, ensure all other artwork is aligned along the same horizontal midline. This creates a cohesive and harmonious display that is pleasing to the eye.

Tools and Materials**

To hang your art like a pro, you’ll need a few handy tools:

1. Laser level: Keeps your horizontal lines impeccable.
2. Stud finder: Saves you from using the wrong hanging hardware, drilling into pipes, getting shocked by live wires.
3. Pencil: For erasable marks on your walls.
4. Scrap paper: Don’t do math in your head. Write it down.
5. Hanging hardware: Depending on the weight and type of your art, gather hollow wall anchors, screws, or picture hooks.

**note: These links are provided for convenience and information only. I receive zero compensation if you click on or purchase using these links.

Measuring for Wall Anchors

A little bit of math goes a long way here! Lets assume you’re hanging a 20×30 work of art with a framing box on the back in a room with nine foot ceilings. You decide to set the eye-height horizontal center-line at five feet (60″) height. The framing box is inset 4″ from the edge of the artwork. Here’s how you would measure to hang the artwork:

1. Measure the height of your artwork (20″). Divide by two to get the artwork’s “top height” (10″) above the center line.
2. Measure the inset distance from the top of the artwork to the inside of the hanging box (4″).
3. Subtract the inset (4″) from the “top height” (10″), and add that to the height of the horizontal center-line (60″).
4. The installation height above the floor for this 20-inch tall artwork with a 4-inch hanging box inset would be 66 inches (60 inches + 10 inches – 4 inches).
5. Finally calculate the spread for two hanging nails as 1/2 the width of the artwork (15″) divide by two (7.5″) and place your nails that distance from the vertical center of where you are hanging the artwork.

Installing the Hanging Hardware

Now for the fun part—getting those anchors in the wall!

1. Use a stud finder to mark the studs, pipes and wires in the wall behind your artwork. Make sure you can drill or nail into the wall using the best hanging hardware.
2. For most stability, install two anchors per piece, spaced about half the width of the artwork apart. If your artwork is 30 inches wide, place your anchors 15 inches apart, 7.5 inches on each side of the vertical centerline. This keeps everything secure and level.



3. If you are hanging a large or heavy work of art, you should find a D-Ring fastener on the frame. Be sure to use heavy weight hangers and hang the D-Ring over the hook — do not stretch a wire between the D-Rings. One of the best anchors for heavy artwork is also the easiest to use. Its the WallDriller zink wall anchor with screws. These leave a sizable hole though less than the traditional toggle bolts. This is perfect for precisely placing screws where you need them.
4. Lighter weight pieces can be hung with typical picture hooks or just straight finishing nails.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

You’re almost there! Just avoid these pitfalls:

1. Don’t clutter your room with too many pieces, less is more when it comes to design.
2. Don’t align the top of your art with window or door frames; it can look jagged and uncoordinated.
3. Ensure all pieces align with your horizontal center-line at eye level for a sleek presentation.
4. Double-check your calculations and measurements. Remember: measure twice, drill once!
5. Larger artwork should have “D-Ring” hangers. Do not attach a wire between the hangers. These pieces should be hung with a wall fastener that the D-Ring slips over to properly support the weight.

Additional Tips

To keep your artworks perfectly level, use two anchors per piece. Your housekeeper will love you when she does the dusting. This simple trick prevents annoying tilting over time and keeps your display looking professional.

By following these thoughtful guidelines, you’ll hang your wall art like a true professional, ensuring each piece shines beautifully and harmonizes with its surroundings. Have fun transforming your space with your cherished photographic artwork. Enjoy the process!

Open a Window to a Beautiful World and Let a Professional Hang Your New Artwork

Open up your room with a large picture window of photographic art from Sam Dobrow. For those in the greater Miami Area, the hanging process is kept simple with free white glove delivery and installation service. Now is the time to effortlessly transform your home or office while enjoying beautiful, professionally hung artwork.