Barton Studios’ 6 Tips for Hanging and Lighting Artwork

1. Choosing the right size image for a space is important.

Here it is, the number one tip for hanging art. Make sure the art you are hanging is the correct size for the space. Everyone’s taste will differ a bit here, but in general if you’re hanging a large piece on a large wall (above a couch or piece of furniture) you will want the art piece or image to be about 1/2 to 2/3 of the size of what it hangs above. I think erroring on the larger side is a safe way to go. It can make it feel like an artistic choice in itself. We have all probably experienced a space with a big wall and a small art piece in the middle, it just doesn’t scream design, and may actually seem like an accident.

2. Display your art at eye level.

Eye level can vary person to person, but the average eye level is 57” from the ground. This will allow those admiring the work to do so comfortably. When you are hanging art or images above a bed, couch, or larger piece of furniture the rule of thumb is to keep the art positioned 6”- 8” above the furniture back. Here is a great visual reference.

* Photo Credit: Emily Hencerson ”How to hang art correctly”.

3. If hanging multiple pieces, treat them as if they were one whole larger piece.

A gallery wall can be a beautiful and engaging way to display multiple pieces together! What you want to focus on while configuring your art is the main shape of the space. Is it a horizontal space you’re filling, or a vertical area you are covering. This will help you position the pieces into the shape you have confirmed. Like I said above, when hanging multiple pieces, treat them as if they are one whole larger piece. This means that the center of your gallery will follow the rule of “eye level” that we learned about previously.

4. Consider your walls substrate before hanging your art.

A substrate is the material that the art will hang on. For example, some homes have drywall, some are plaster, and occasionally you will find yourself wanting to hang art on tile or even brick. Knowing what the material is that you will be hanging on will give you clear insight into what type of hardware you need to complete the job. I would also like to add that it isn’t always a hung piece of art that packs the punch. You may find that leaning art against the wall on a shelf, or on an art ledge is another route.

5. Determine what kind of hanging hardware you have on your art piece to help with what hanging options you have.

The hardware refers to the style of hanger on the back of your art. You might see a variety of different styles depending on the piece, and this is important for you to take notice of when purchasing the style of hooks/hangers you will need to install into the wall. “Touch of Class” wrote up an entire post dedicated to wall decor and styles of hanger types. Read the article for helpful references here.

6. Proper lighting is key.

What you will learn is most important when it comes to lighting your art, is how much natural and artificial light really does impact your artwork. While the list for what to avoid is short, it is very crucial to make sure you follow these tips for the longevity of your art pieces. First, you want to make sure that you are not displaying your art in direct sunlight to avoid fading. Second, don’t allow artificial light to directly face artwork or allow it to be too close to avoid heat damage. If color distortion is a concern, be weary of fluorescent lighting! Lighting should be angled at 30º to reduce glare, add 5º for larger frames, and subtract 5º to highlight textures.

A little knowledge goes a long way, so take the advice above and go hang your art! For a comprehensive list of tools and hardware that will help you get this job done head over to Steve’s Amazon storefront and see what he recommends for hanging and lighting your art! I would love to see it, tag us @SteveBartonOfficial on instagram!