How to Hang Framed Artwork: The Answer

When it comes to displaying framed artwork and portraits there are no "right and wrong" rules.  Like many things in the art world, use the placement that will make it look good or give it the statement you want.  Vague, I know.

I will give you some valuable tricks and insights into the "rule-less" art of hanging artwork. These concepts will give your framed artwork the best presence it can have on the wall.


Make it easy to view
The most important aspect of hanging your artwork is hanging it at eye level.  Remember the last post I posed the question "will the people in the room be standing or sitting when viewing the artwork?" This determines the eye level.  You might be asking, "what part of the framed image needs to be at eye level--the top, the bottom, or the middle?".  The best answer is the middle. You want to guide the eyes  to the midpoint of the image, this will enable the viewer to easily explore the picture with physical ease, the viewer doesn't have to bend down to see detail, nor do they have to step back to look up to the image, though these behaviours of viewing do occur naturally when looking at framed work. The point is that you want to make it as easy as possible for your viewer to look at and explore your art or portrait--it is not serving its purpose if people aren't, or can't, look at & appreciate the work.  The midpoint of the artwork (or grouping of pictures) should be placed approximately 56" to 60" above the floor.

Groups of framed images
Grouping pictures together can prove more challenging, and offer more visual interest, than a single large piece of art. Groupings work best when a common link ties the pieces together.  To create this common bond between pictures you can play with several factors. The common factor could be frames that are similar, use of the same mat colour, the images can have similar content, or the artwork style can be selected from the same historical period.

Which is better: Even or odd numbers in a group? Both. Even numbers work well when grouped close together. Odd numbers can often provide a visually balanced grouping.

Finding Balance in an arrangement
The goal with groups is creating a visually balanced space. Balance can be achieved several ways, scale (size), visual interest & simplicity, symmetry & asymmetry.

A group of several individual images should be treated as a whole single piece on the wall because of their close placement to one another.

Symmetrical layouts display the images in a way that mirrors the other side, be it left to right or top to bottom. These create a calm and simple feeling arrangement.

Asymmetrical layouts offer a creative, active, and eclectic feel and look by combining various sizes of frames and differing positions.

An easy way to find a great arrangment of a group of framed artwork is to lay your group of images on a large piece of paper, then trace around them. This will save your wall from multiple holes from rearranging in pursuit of the best placement you can find.

Follow these steps to practise grouping:
1) Lay your group of images on a large piece of paper in desired places
2) Trace around the images
3) Hold this paper against the wall to see how it will appear on the wall.
This can also be used for measuring & marking the places for each wall mount, so you only have to stick your 3m hook or hammer your nail & 'Ook' once.

A note on hardware
The hardware for wall mounts I highly endorse the use of 3m Hooks. They are available at most craft, grocery, and big box stores. 3m Hooks are often stored near stationary and school supplies, art supplies, or in the frame department. If your artwork is too large or heavy for 3m Hooks I regularily use a wall mount brand named Ook. They create several sizes of hooks that can bear up to 100lbs of weight.  I'm not a big fan of "Monkey hooks", those ones that are commonly sold as "as seen on tv" items. They are alright, and they work as they describe, but from using them in our frame shop I find that they eventually wiggle large holes where the wire punctures through the wall. If you find that they work well for you, then please continue to use them. This is just what I have found in my experience.

If you get home and find that your frame does not have a hanger, either a saw tooth hanger or a wire hanger, you can install one very easily.

To install a saw tooth hanger:
Best for use on images that are smaller than 16"x20"
Measure across the top of the frame, find the centre, and line up the centre of the saw tooth with the centre of the frame. Tap in the saw tooth with a hammer until the grips or nails of the hanger are fully set into the frame.

To install a wire hanger:
Good for use on any frame. The size of the hooks installed and the thickness of the wire should be selected based on the size & weight of the frame. The packages should indicate how much weight the hardware can bear. Look for d-hooks to install on the sides of the frame, they are very strong and easy to tie a good knot in the wire.
Measure the side of the frame, from top to bottom, find the point that is 1/3 of the height of the frame, then place the d-hook at this place. For example if the frame is 21" tall you will want to place the hook 7" from the top of the frame. This placement offers equal weight bearing upon the wire and prevents the frame from falling off the wall or tearing out the framing hardware.

To tie the knot in the wire:
Once the d-hooks are installed on both sides of the frame you can slide the wire through each side.
Measure out the length of the frame, then approx 6"-8" more to offer slack in the wire and to tie the knot.
You'll want to tie the knots first, leaving a little slack in the wire. Make sure the wire does NOT go past the top of the frame. You should not see the wire when it is hung on the wall.
The knot to tie is called the cow hitch or the larks head. It kinda looks like a bird's head when it is tied.
Here's an image for reference:

Tie the knot on each side, then pull the centre of the wire again to make sure that it does not stretch past the top of the frame. This will also pull the knots tight. Twist the loose end of the wire around the centre wire to clean it up and to reinforce the knot.

You are now ready to hang your frame!

In the next post I will add how to combine your artwork display and furniture. :)

Till then, keep creating.