A smaller wall space, like the one between your door and a corner of your room, is the perfect blank canvas for hanging framed art. You can visually expand your space by stacking a series of smaller framed artwork vertically towards the ceiling, but not to the point where it's tough to hang or can strain your neck.
As a rule of thumb, hanging pictures at eye level is a safe option. This generally means positioning the picture so its midpoint is 57-60 inches from the floor, depending on the ceiling height of the room – and your height, of course.
We would always recommend hanging your Artwork centrally above your furniture, it will be one of the main focal points of your room and as you can see from the two images below taken in our Cheshire furniture store, that this will give you a much more balanced effect.
When deciding where to hang images in your home, consider the wall space available and the arrangement of the room. "Use small pieces between windows and doors," says Linda Crisolo, director of merchandising for Art.com. "If small items are in a space too large, the pieces look lost.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Avoid hanging art in direct sunlight to prevent damage to the artwork. Artwork should be properly lit, but avoid using Earth's most abundant light source—sunlight. Direct sunlight can lead to irreparable damage. The ultraviolet radiation from the sun can cause artwork to fade, crack, or warp.
The 2/3 rule
If you are going to hang one or more paintings over a piece of furniture, a sofa, or a headboard, don't forget that the object in question should be at least 2/3 the size of the item you are placing it next to. Or, to put it another way, it should never exceed its length.
As a general guide a good position is 8” to 10” above the back of the sofa. An image too high will look like it's detached from the sofa and a piece too low will get lost in the sofa. Remember you are creating a scene with the art and the sofa together in harmony, not just hanging a piece on the wall.
A general rule of thumb is that you can cover 60% of the area with wall decor and must leave 40% of the area blank. This rule applies even when you are hanging a piece of painting or a cluster of frames behind your sofa.
Hang the largest, most prominent pieces first, either in the center or near the bottom of the arrangement, to create a focal point. Then, add smaller pieces, working outward. The arrangement can be expanded over time as your collection grows. To keep it cohesive, try to repeat a certain color or style at least once.
Mixing different frame styles together can add interest to your display. Yes, matching picture frames look elegant and chic, but purposefully mismatched frames can add interest and keep the eye lingering on your work. You can create a similar effect with a gallery wall or a grouping of photographs and artwork.
If you're wondering whether you should decorate every wall in each room, the simple answer is that when it comes to hanging pictures and art, no, you don't need to fill every wall space with pictures. Empty wall space actually enhances your decor and can be a crucial design element in many cases.
57 Inches Is Eye-Level
The reason 57 inches is the magic number is that this is considered to be an approximate average eye height and is commonly used in art galleries and museums, as well as by interior designers.
Leaving a wall blank can create a sense of balance and breathing room in a space that's filled with other decorative elements. It acts as a visual pause, allowing the eye to rest and prevent the room from feeling too cluttered or overwhelming. A blank wall can also act as a backdrop for other focal points in the room.
For a standard living room, the best solution is to place three modular paintings, this is a win-win option. Placing such a composition will not require too much space, but it will look very stylish and visually expand the space.
It's so obvious, yet not all of us pay much attention to it. Your TV shouldn't be hanging too high up on your wall. If you have a TV console, hang your artwork a few inches on top of it–around 6 to 12 inches–depending on its size.
A family or living room is usually considered a very good area in the home to place family photos.
Everyone loves to have their family pictures displayed in their home. The best place to hang these pictures is the South-West wall, as this placement increases bond and harmony between the relationships. It is advised that you should never place your family pictures in Eastern or Northern corner of the house.
To ensure your artwork looks amazing regardless of who's gawking at it, the standard height for hanging artwork at eye level is 57” from the center of your photograph to the floor. And If this seems low to you, know that you can get away with hanging your art or photographs a little higher at 60”.
We suggest hanging your art so that the vertical center (the middle of the frame) is 57" (inches) above the floor, or at your eye-level if it's in a hallway or entryway where you're usually walking past it. That goes for single pieces (photos, paintings, posters) as well as arrangements like gallery walls.
"A good rule of thumb for gallery wall sizing is to keep the entire collection between two-thirds to four-fifths of the size of the wall," shares Klugh. "This ensures your art piece fits on the wall perfectly. Not too big, not too small.