If your goal is to put some color on those blank walls and to hang up some picture frames to match that new piece of furniture you have, then you’ve come to the right place.
Today, we’re going to talk about exactly how to hang your wall art and framed pieces of all sorts, so you can turn any boring space into a beautiful gallery wall that will have your neighbors talking for days on end.
We’re going to talk about how to make the most out of that wall space, specifically what the best ways to hang wall art are. We’ll cover some great methods for hanging many types of artwork, all the way from a small piece of art to much larger pieces too.
9 Best Ways to Hang Art Prints
There are many different ways to hang those special pieces of art in your home. Whether you want to hang a collection of prints in a country house or you want to hang some abstract pieces that will make your home look like any one of the great auction houses, here’s how to do it.
As you’ll see below, the type of hanging hardware or picture hangers you use will in part depend on the type of wall art display you’re looking to achieve, as well as how large and heavy your artwork picks are.
Nails
One of the easiest ways to hang up art prints is by using simple nails. All you have to do is hammer a nail into the wall and then hang the bracket or wire of the picture from the nail. For heavier pictures, you may want to use two nails. This method is suitable for wood, plaster, and drywall.
Picture Hooks
If you are worried about weight capacity and weight distribution, then you should try using picture hooks. These are ideal for slightly heavier pieces, as they are good at distributing weight more effectively than nails. All you have to do is hammer a small pin or nail into the wall, hang the picture hooks, and then hang the picture from those hooks.
Adhesive Strip with Hooks
If you don’t want to damage walls, and the art prints you are looking to hang are lightweight, such as canvas prints for instance, then using some adhesive strips attached to hooks is the way to go. These use a removable adhesive that’s strong enough to hold up moderate amounts of weight, but they also don’t damage the walls. Just be sure to clean the walls first.
Command Strips
Just like adhesive strips with hooks are ideal for somewhat temporary and lightweight art installations, so are Command Strips. Command Strips feature a Velcro design, with two pieces of Velcro that attach to each other, with one being held on the artwork and other on the wall, using adhesive. Instead of hooks like above, Velcro is used here. Some models also have special release tabs.
Anchors with Screws
If you’re planning on hanging a heavier print, then you’ll want to consider wall anchors with screws. Screws are far more stable than nails, and if you use a wall anchor, the screw will hold even better. If you have masonry or concrete walls, then using an anchor and screw is one of your only options.
Rails
A rail system or picture rail is yet another hanging method that you may want to consider. These are long rails that cables and rods can be hung from, to which pictures can be attached at differing heights. This is ideal if you want to hang many beautiful pieces in one spot, or if you are hanging multiple art panels.
Wire and D-Rings
Whether for a grid panel, books of prints, or any affordable prints no matter what they look like, using D-rings with wire is always an option. It’s a relatively simple hanging method that allows you to position the artwork as you see fit.
Sawtooth Hangers
If you have smaller frames and lightweight pictures, using a sawtooth hanger (or multiple sawtooth hangers for slightly larger pieces) is a possibility. These nail or screw to the top of a picture frame, and you then hang this on a nail or screw.
The French Cleat
If you are looking for what is likely the number one most secure way to hang a picture frame on a wall, it’s the French cleat system that you need. The French cleat system features two interlocking pieces of wood that use complementary angles to stay connected, with one being attached to the wall and the other to your piece of art. This is ideal for heavy prints.
How to Hang Pictures Without Damaging the Wall
If you want to hang pictures without damaging the wall, which means not using any screws or nails of any sort, then your options are somewhat limited. It really comes down to a choice between adhesive strips with hooks, adhesive on its own, or Command Strips. Any other method that involves you drilling or hammering into the wall will damage it.
The 2/3 Rule Hanging Pictures
Many people may not know exactly how or where to hang pictures, which is where the 2/3 rule comes into play. This rule says that your artwork should be about two-thirds as wide as the piece of furniture that it is hanging over, that is if it is hanging over a piece of furniture. The arrangement of pictures should be done in such a way so that, for instance, if you have a 9-foot-long sofa, the piece of artwork you hang above it should only be 6 feet wide.
Where to Hang Art Prints
To help get you started, let’s go over some important rules or tips for creating a wall of art the right way.
- Hang pictures at eye level, which is usually going to be around 57-60 inches from the ground. You want to achieve the perfect height for you, and that ideal height will in part depend on your own size. You definitely don’t want them being ceiling height!
- Besides hanging art above a sofa, another great place is above a dining room table, something that will most certainly spur on some conversation at your next dinner party.
- If you want to create an art wall display, you can hang the pictures in groupings, in any way you see fit.
- To add some flare to your home and to use up a bit of wall space, hanging prints in entryways is always a good idea.
- Although not everyone will say this, most agree that the centermost picture should be the largest one.
4 Things to Avoid When Hanging Pictures
- Although sunlight may look nice at times, hanging artwork in direct sunlight should be avoided, as UV rays can be damaging to artwork.
- Avoid having the center picture being smaller than the exterior pictures, as this can look very odd.
- If you are hanging heavy pieces, avoid using any adhesive hanging methods, as they likely won’t be able to hold up the excessive weight.
- Your collection of artwork should look cohesive. To avoid a scattered and unorganized-looking artwork collection, try to keep the same styles of art in similar locations. You don’t want to hang that abstract art directly beside impressionist pieces!
Final Thoughts on the Best Ways to Hang Art Prints
Now that we’ve covered all of the basics, you should know exactly how to hang your art prints in the way that works best for you and your home. Remember that the deciding factor here is most likely going to be the size and weight of the artwork in question.