How to Hang Wall Art: Simple Rules to Get It Right Every Time

Hanging wall art at the right height – and in the right place – can completely change how a room feels. Get it wrong and everything looks a bit “off”. Get it right and the whole space suddenly feels more pulled together and intentional.

1. What Height Should You Hang Wall Art?

As a rule of thumb, the centre of your artwork should sit at around 145 cm (57 inches) from the floor – roughly eye level for most people.

That’s your starting point. Then tweak for:

• Taller or shorter households – raise or lower the centre line by a few centimetres if it feels more natural.
• Rooms you mainly sit in (living rooms, snug TV rooms) – you can go a touch lower so the art is at eye level when you’re seated.

2. Hanging Art Above Furniture

When your art sits above a sofa, bed or console, use the furniture as your guide rather than the floor.

• Above a sofa or console: aim to hang the frame so the bottom edge is 15–20 cm above the top of the furniture.
• Above a mantelpiece: leave around 20–30 cm between the mantel and the bottom of the artwork.
• Make sure the artwork is at least two-thirds the width of the furniture beneath it so it doesn’t look mean or “floaty”.

If you have a large wall and a small piece, group two or three pictures together so they feel substantial enough for the space.

3. How to Hang a Single Picture (Step by Step)

1. Decide on the position
   Hold the picture up where you think it should go and step back. When it looks right, lightly mark the top of the frame on the wall with a pencil.
2. Measure for the fixing point
   Turn the picture round and measure:
   
   • the distance from the top of the frame to the hanging point (wire at rest, D-rings or sawtooth bracket).
     Transfer this measurement down from your pencil mark on the wall – that’s where your hook or screw should go.
3. Check for studs and cables
   Use a stud finder if you have one. For heavy art, it’s ideal to screw into a stud. Avoid obvious cable runs (directly above sockets and switches).
4. Choose the right fixing
   
   • Light pieces (up to ~2–3 kg): picture hooks or small nails are usually fine.
   • Heavier pieces: use the correct wall plugs/anchors for your wall type (plasterboard, masonry, etc.).
   • Very heavy mirrors or frames: two fixings are safer than one.
5. Hang and level
   Pop the picture onto the hook(s), then use a small spirit level (or a phone app) to check it’s straight. Adjust as needed.
   Stick felt pads or bumpers on the back corners to protect the wall and stop the frame shifting.

4. Planning a Gallery Wall

Gallery walls are where most people get nervous – but the same basic rules apply.

1. Choose your anchors
   Pick one or two hero pieces to sit roughly at eye level. Everything else can be built around them.
2. Lay it out on the floor first
   Arrange the frames on the floor or a big table.
   
   • Keep gaps of 5–8 cm between frames so it feels cohesive.
   • Mix sizes, but try to balance visual weight from left to right.
3. Mark your layout on the wall
   
   • Either cut out paper templates the size of each frame and Blu Tack them to the wall, or
   • Measure from a central piece outwards, marking the hang points with a pencil.
4. Echo a shape
   Decide whether you want:
   
   • a soft, cloud-like shape with irregular edges, or
   • a tidier grid with the tops or bottoms lining up.

Either way, keep the overall “cloud” centred on the furniture or wall, not too high and not too far out to the sides.

5. Hang from the middle out
   Start with the central or lowest picture, then work your way outwards and upwards, using a level as you go.

5. Fixings and Hanging Solutions (Especially for Renters)

Different walls need different hardware:

• Plasterboard / drywall: use appropriate plasterboard plugs for anything weighty.
• Solid masonry walls: a drill, wall plugs and screws will give you a very secure fixing.
• Picture rails: if you’re lucky enough to have them, hook onto the rail and use clear wire or cord to suspend frames at the right height.

If you’re renting or simply hate making holes:

• Command-style strips are great for lighter frames – just follow the weight limits.
• Picture ledges let you rest and layer frames without committing to a layout.
• You can also lean larger pieces on top of sideboards, mantels or consoles for a relaxed, changeable look.

6. Quick FAQs

How high should I hang pictures in a hallway?

Still use the 145 cm centre line as your guide, especially in long corridors. If the ceiling is very low or very high, adjust by a few centimetres until it feels balanced.

How much space should I leave between frames?

For gallery walls, 5–8 cm tends to look good – close enough to feel like a group, but not cramped.

Can I mix frames and canvases on the same wall?

Yes. Keep a thread that ties everything together – for example, similar frame colours, a repeating metal finish or a shared colour palette in the artwork.

What if my art is huge and heavy?

Use two or more fixings, ideally into studs or with heavy-duty wall anchors, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. For very large mirrors or artwork, a professional installer is never a bad idea.