You’ve bought your brand new ready-to-hang artwork, perhaps a large statement abstract piece, or even a lovely portrait that looks just like your canine best friend—congratulations! But now it’s time to do some hanging and you’re not exactly sure how you make sure it’s hung with no problem. And how do you take good care of it so that it lasts in your home for a lifetime?
Follow our top five tips to perfectly hanging your artwork. It’s not too hard, we promise.
The 57” standard
The what standard? The 57” standard simply means that the artwork will hang approximately at eye level. People have a tendency of hanging their artwork a little too high, but museums and galleries typically choose this height because of its easy and accessible appearance.
Here’s how to use the 57” method step-by-step:
- Step 1: Measure up from the floor and lightly mark 57" on the wall with a pencil.
- Step 2: Measure the height of your artwork and divide in half, which will give you the centre of the piece.
- Step 3: Measure the top of your picture down to where the wire falls. This will be a pretty small measurement, depending on the size of your artwork.
- Step 4: Subtract your number in Step 3 from the number in Step 2. This will tell you how far above your 57" mark your hook should go, so go ahead and mark that on the wall.
- Step 5: Hang your art!
Get it? Good. Now your art is gallery ready.
Hooks and screws
You definitely don’t want your new piece of art to come crashing down on your or your guests’ heads. Make sure to screw two hooks into the wall, one for each side of the piece. Each hook should be about a quarter of the way in from either side of the frame. By doing this, your artwork will sit snug against the wall.
Supporting your artwork
You’ll need more than properly placed hooks to make sure your artwork is comfy in its new home, especially if you own a large statement piece. Use a cord, wire or other hanger from the ceiling to support the weight of your artwork. Place the weight support in the top centre of the piece to make sure it holds the whole weight, while also not appearing lopsided.
Safety first
Safety is always a priority, which includes the safety of you, your children, the family pet and your artwork! If you intend to hang your art in a room where safety is paramount, i.e. children’s bedrooms, make sure you look into security fittings and glazing for your piece. The fittings will lock down the frame, making sure it never falls.
Preserving your artwork
Finally, you must preserve the beauty of your artwork! Choose an area where your artwork will sit out of direct sunlight. You might also like to choose a wall where no one will be tempted to lean against or touch the painting.
Now go and enjoy your artwork!
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Cover image via Dee Brown
