How to hang Wall Art?

Hanging wall art is one of the easiest ways to make your space feel cozy and lived-in. However, there’s one big issue: spackling can be a hassle. While it’s not the hardest task when you move out, it’s time-consuming and something you’ll dread when the time comes. Sometimes, it’s better to avoid it altogether. Fortunately, some options leave your walls spackle-free and make it easier to switch out your art—perfect for indecisive decorators like me.

While the art you choose is important, how you hang it matters even more. A cluster of affordable prints can look just as good as a Picasso or Matisse, as long as you know how to arrange them. We love using print books for inspiration; you can see a beautiful example of this in one of our favorite decor shoots.

Where to Hang Your Art?

First, think about where you want to hang your art! Sometimes you might have a specific spot in mind, but other times you might fall in love with a piece and need to find the perfect place for it in your home. This can be the toughest part! To get inspired, check out our shop-by-room experience, or browse our Instagram and Pinterest pages for ideas.

Sawtooth vs. Wire Hangers

Next, check what hanging hardware your art has, as this will guide how you hang it. If you purchased your art from Art.com, you’re in luck! All Art.com pieces come ready to hang with the right hardware for their size and weight. We typically use either a sawtooth hanger, which is great for lighter art, or a wire hanger for heavier pieces.

Wire Mount Hangers

For art with a wire mount hanger, you’ll find a hanging wire stretched across the back of the frame or canvas stretcher bars instead of a hook. This design adds stability and helps keep the art balanced, making it ideal for larger and heavier pieces. All of our art with wire hangers comes with the necessary hanging hardware, including nails and hooks!

Sawtooth Hangers

Sawtooth hangers are small metal strips with a flat edge on top and teeth at the bottom, resembling a saw. They’re perfect for securely hanging smaller, lightweight art pieces on your wall. The sawtooth design makes it easy to ensure your art hangs straight and even. If your art has a sawtooth hanger, you only need a nail to hang it, whether it’s a canvas, part of a gallery wall, or a multi-panel set.

Choose Your Strategy

Before you grab a hammer, think about the weight, size, and shape of the picture you want to hang, along with the type of wall material. Can you drill into brick or tile? Will plaster walls support the weight? And what exactly is a stud? Don’t worry—we’ll clarify these common wall-hanging myths for you.

Gather Your Supplies

You’ll need a hammer, measuring tape, and pencil to hang pictures, but having a few additional supplies will make the process smoother. The weight of the item will dictate what you need:

For lightweight pieces:
Opt for a pack of small nails to hang your lighter items.

For medium-weight pieces:
Choose some picture hangers if your piece weighs more than a few pounds.

For heavier pieces:
You’ll need a large nail, a stud finder or wall-plug anchors, compatible screws, and a screwdriver for heavy pictures or mirrors.

For tile or glass:
Use high-quality, low-profile adhesive hooks instead of nails and screws.

For brick:
Brick clamps are your best bet for securely hanging items.

Before you start, check the back of your picture frame for the type of hanging hardware it has—like hanging wire, D rings, or sawtooth hangers. This will help ensure you don’t buy nails that are too large for your D rings, for example.

Finding the Perfect Height

To achieve the best visual impact, hang your artwork with the center about 57 inches above the ground—this is the average eye level and a standard height used in galleries and museums. Start by marking this height on the wall with a pencil. Then, measure the width of the wall and find its center; mark where these two points intersect—this is where the middle of your artwork should go.

Next, measure the distance from the artwork’s center to the point where it will hang (this could be the point where the picture wire pulls taut or the location of the sawtooth hanger). From your mid-point mark on the wall, measure that distance and mark the spot for the nail, picture hanger, wall anchor, or brick clamp.

For a more visual approach, you can use painter’s tape to outline your wall design before making any holes. Measure your picture frames and cut the tape to size, then hang it on the wall to visualize your arrangement. There are also apps available that can help you see how your wall will look once you’re done.

Remember, hanging art is a personal choice, so if you love it, that’s what matters!

Hang the Artwork

Now that the spots for your nails, picture hangers, or wall anchors have been marked, it’s time to put your artwork up. For heavy pieces, a stud finder should be used to locate a stud; if it’s in a suitable position for your nail, a large nail can be hammered in, and you’re set.

If the stud isn’t conveniently positioned, no need to worry! Instead, the anchor-and-screw method can be employed: A pilot hole should be drilled, the plastic anchor tapped in, and then a screw inserted, leaving it sticking out just enough for the wire or sawtooth hanger to loop over, similar to how you would with a nail. With that, your artwork will be ready to shine!

If You Prefer to Avoid Hammers and Nails, Just Lean on It

The easiest way to showcase art, especially for those hesitant about making nail holes in the wall, is to simply lean the frame against a chair, the wall, or on a shelf. Even homes with an abundance of wall art can benefit from a few casually leaned pieces—it often gives an intentional, curated look.

If You Love Rearranging, Consider a Picture Shelf

If you enjoy the learning method and want to create a designated space for it, think about adding a shallow picture shelf in one of your rooms. This is an ideal solution for those who frequently change their decor or have a penchant for rearranging!

What’s Average About Eye Level?

Conventional wisdom suggests that the center of artwork should be positioned at the average eye level, allowing viewers to appreciate it without straining. Most guidelines recommend hanging art at a height of 145 cm to 152 cm (57 to 60 inches) from the ground.

Grouping Artwork

When grouping multiple pieces, treat them as a single large composition and center the arrangement at eye level—whatever that level may be!

Hanging Art Above Furniture

If you’re placing art above furniture, leave a clearance of 10 to 15 cm (about 4 to 6 inches). This is a standard practice that enhances the visual appeal, but be mindful of how the furniture is used. For example, if the art hangs above a couch where people watch TV, it’s likely to be bumped. Similarly, if it’s above a dining table pushed against the wall, there’s a high chance of food splatters.

Want a Gallery Wall?

To create a gallery wall, choose a theme with matching frames or embrace an eclectic style with mismatched ones. Regardless of the approach, select one consistent measurement for the gaps between artworks—like 5 cm. Ensure that at least one side of each piece maintains that distance from its neighbor for a cohesive look amidst the variety.

Mind the Gap

When hanging artwork side by side, avoid leaving excessive gaps. A space of 5 to 7 cm is generally effective, but adjust the gap based on the size of the artwork: use smaller gaps for smaller pieces and larger gaps for bigger ones to maintain proportion.

Hanging Wall Art