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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Tips and Tricks to Hanging Artwork

Buying the perfect piece of artwork can be challenging.  Once you find the perfect piece, now you need to hang it.  There is plenty to consider when hanging artwork.  How high should it be hung on the wall?  What type of brackets should it be hung with?  Should it be hung alone or in a grouping?  
There are lots of options out there, even picture hanging wire, to hang artwork.  I usually hang artwork using picture hanging hooks.  They are much better than heavy duty nails or screws because the picture hooks go into the wall on an angle, securing them to the wall without much risk of being pulled out.  

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It's important to select the right picture hook for your artwork.  It's all based on weight.  They usually come in three sizes...one for pictures less than 30 lbs, one for pictures up to 50 lbs and one for pictures 50-75lbs.  No matter what the weight of your artwork, make sure you use two picture hooks.  This adds extra security as well as helps make your pictures hang straight.  As an added tip I use fun tac in the back of my artwork so that it doesn't move at all when dusting the frames from time to time.


One of the biggest mistakes people make when hanging artwork is to hang it way too high.  A good rule of thumb is to hang the artwork so that the center is  66" off the ground, 
which places it at eye level.   It's also very helpful if someone holds up the picture so that you can step back and see how it looks before you fill your walls with holes.  

When hanging a pair of works, treat them as one large piece and center them using the same rule of thumb.  If over a bed or sofa, keep in mind the scale of furniture in deciding placement.
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When hanging a collage of photos or artwork, you can start in the center and work your way out.
However, there is no hard and fast rule...in fact the best part is there are no rules.
You can do just about anything your imagination can come up with.
Source
The worst that can happen is you have to get out a little spackle and touch up
any holes you make if you have to move anything.

Hope these tips are helpful next time you go to hang artwork.

Don't forget to stop back tonight for my Swing into Spring party.


The party opens at 8pm EST.  Hope to see you then.

-Judy
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7 comments:

laxsupermom said...

Great post! Hanging artwork is so tricky, because eye level can mean any number of things. I like the idea of always using 66" for the center. Thanks for sharing.

Jenny @ Simcoe Street said...

Hi there! I just wanted to say hello -- it has been too long since I've commented. I've continued to read and just had a nice time catching up on your posts, but haven't been commenting from my phone. Anyway just wanted to say hello. Also, this post was fantastic -- 66 inches, noted. Thanks!

Jenny
www.simcoestreet.blogspot.co

At The Picket Fence said...

Great tips Judy! :-)
Vanessa

Susan Anderson said...

If you could see how I hang pictures (trial and error method), you might be appalled.

I certainly am.

;)

Traci said...

Great tips! I have an oil painting on a wall now that I think needs something on each side of it but I can't decide. It's hard! HA!

Gina said...

Thanks for the tips, Judy! If you only knew the holes we've had to patch up over the years while hanging pictures. My sisters & I insist my husband has "crooked eyes." lol

East End Taste Magazine said...

Thank you, Thank you, Thank YOU!!! I am sooo happy I saw this because I hate, hate, hate these wretched hooks and now....NOT anymore!!
How to Hang Pictures and Artwork with the Right Hanging Hardware

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