skip to main content

Home Decorating Design Dilemma living room

How high should I hang this picture?

3 years ago

Hi everyone, I would really appreciate some help.

I've finally managed to purchase a piece of art that I both love, and managed to get at a good price.

However I cant for the life of me decide where it should go. I've read over and over again that it should be 6-12 inches above a piece of furniture, or 57 inches from the floor up, so it's at eye level. However, this is problematic because I also have a doorway on one side, and an interior window on the other and so simply using measurements creates random levels between the three.

So how should I hang this picture?! I've had a play around with the picture I've taken to see what it looks like. Do any of these look good? The painting is to scale as I took the photo with and without the painting, then superimposed it. It measure 1m x 1m.

I'm not sure what other info I need to include here but would greatly appreciate any tips/suggestions/comments! Thank you

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (17)

ptreckel
3 years ago
I would hang it so that the bottom of the art lines up with the pass thru that is next to it. Anything else would drive me crazy! But that is just me! Since it is such a large piece, I think you can do this.
cawaps
3 years ago
I liked B or C in the images with the top lined up with either the doorway or the passthrough (I was indifferent which). The one with the bottom lined up with the pass-through looked wonky to me (so the opposite of ptreckel).

The lesson seems to be that you need to line up either the top or bottom of the painting with SOMETHING.
Related Discussions
How high above vanity mirror should I hang lights
Q
Comments (3)
Have somebody hold a flashlight at different levels pointing down at you while you lean into the mirror and imagine that you're trying to get an eyelash out of your eye. If you are working in your own shadow, the lights are too high. This is why sconces, one on either side of the mirror, are better for best lighting/visibility.
...See More
How high should I hang this?
Q
Comments (3)
It's also about head level (you could still read the words over my head, just not see the drawing on the bottom. I'm usually the one stuck in the corner, so DS and DH could read it over my head! I like seeing it while sitting in the FR and not have the light obscure some of the words. I might be able to find something to go above it, but would it have to have same colors? Be rustic as well? I might wait til the window trim is up, though - might even put scarf up on rod since I have 2 separate shades - but that's another post. I'm also going to center it more on the wall - may not be able to get it exactly centered since the T-stat isn't, and the canvas is narrow, but close. I was just thinking this AM I should get something with a hollow back to cover the T-stat that we never use (should have had the builder put it on the kitchen side), I was in TJ MAxx getting another drawer organizer and saw this for $10! Thanks!
...See More
How high to hang picture?
Q
Comments (10)
The formula is for the center of one picture hung on a wall with no furniture, such as in an art gallery. (I used to install art exhibits.) It is also a good rule-of-thumb to follow when there is no reason to do something else. Reasons to do something else include the relationship to furniture and other features, and the height of the picture. A very tall picture might have to be hung with the center lower than 60" in order not to be too close to the ceiling. Any picture hanging over furniture or architectural features should appear to be related to whatever is below it. Sometimes this requires lower installation and sometimes higher. For pictures stacked vertically: if there are two, the space between them would be at 60". If there are three, the center of the middle one. For an entire wall of pictures, as in some grand 19th-century rooms, all rules are off.
...See More
How High Should I Hang a Ceiling Mounted Rain Shower Head?
Q
Comments (7)
Consider the thickness of the head itself as well as the thickness of the shower pan and how much ceiling room you really have. Example, if the pan is 2" thick at the drain and the head is 3", you're at 8'7". A 17" arm now brings the bottom of the head to 7' above the floor tile. I usually recommend 7' as the lowest height for the bottom of a ceiling mounted rain head. If anyone in the house is over 6' tall, I'd recommend nothing longer than the 17". (Edited because part of my original post never got loaded for some reason...)
...See More
Beth Gazley
3 years ago
Definitely not A or C. i agree w previous commenter on horizontal alignment. I’d say B is safest and D boldest.
Bette P
3 years ago
You don’t want it too high because people view it while seated. You want it to relate to your furniture not the tall wall. If you hang it with the top of the painting even with the interior window, how high above the back of your sofa will it be? Is your sofa floating or against the wall? Have you hung the rest of your art in the room with the centre horizontal point at 57” up from the floor?
chloebud
3 years ago
B works best for me with alignment, and it's closer to the sofa. About 5-6 inches above a sofa is usually good. Example A is a NO, for sure.
Ephma
3 years ago
B
chloebud
3 years ago
"You want it to relate to your furniture not the tall wall."

Exactly.
PRO
JudyG Designs
3 years ago
Picture #4….have the bottom of picture in line with the bottom of pass-through.
decoenthusiaste
3 years ago
Which of your pix has it centered 5' above the floor? If furniture is directly under it, then 5" above the piece of furniture.
Jennifer Hogan
3 years ago
I think B is your best option shown, but still higher than you should have. Most people put art too high.

I would lower it a few more inches, draw attention to the art and not to the openings.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
IMO you hang it at center 57-60” from the floor and ignore the pass through this is all about the art and I think if at all possible close in that pass through from what I can see it is useless
User
3 years ago
I prefer the 3rd rendering.
PRO
Courtney Thomas Design
3 years ago
Below we have added a few images of our designs. Note where the art is hanging and how high it is.
Pizzo Ranch Residence · More Info

Wilmar Blvd. · More Info

Altadena Farmhouse: Phase 2 · More Info
Jennifer Hogan
3 years ago
Read this article from Park West Gallery - they sell art for display in homes. They are right.

I think most of your art is much higher than it should be, but I am not standing in your home so camera angle could be altering my perception.

https://www.parkwestgallery.com/3-simple-rules-for-hanging-art/
chloebud
3 years ago
Jennifer's link is pretty much what I use as a guide. Rule #2 in the link comes into play in your case with your sofa. Distance the art from the top of the sofa, not necessarily 57 inches from the floor. For years I hung art way too high.
Esma
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you everyone. Sorry for the delayed response, we’ve just had the bathroom done and the house all just needs an update redo!

In response to Bette P unfortunately this is the other wall of the room, and I know, the art there looks too small for the wall but it’s what we had to hand and we just never changed it, but I’m now wondering if this piece would look better in this wall, instead of the trip? Or perhaps buy the sister print to this and essentially fill the wall, although I’m not sure if that would be over kill. I was wondering if it’s to stay as a single print, could I hang it off centre, closer to the lamp and plant?
Esma
Original Author
3 years ago
Sorry, photo included! This is the other wall in the room

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES Decorating Secrets: Picture-Perfect Way to Hang Art

Save your drywall with these easy steps for hanging framed pieces

KITCHEN CABINETS How High Should You Hang Your Upper Kitchen Cabinets?

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Don’t let industry norms box you in. Here are some reasons why you might want more space above your countertops

PLANTING IDEAS Great Garden Combo: 5 High-Intensity Plants for High-Intensity Sun

Blend bold foliage and flowers to create a powerful combination that will hold its own even in the harsh light of midsummer

PORCHES Get the Hang of Hanging Flower Baskets

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Learn all about container materials, soil and designing a hanging flower arrangement for a bountiful look on your porch or deck

FUN HOUZZ Everything I Need to Know About Decorating I Learned from Downton Abbey

Mind your manors with these 10 decorating tips from the PBS series, returning on January 5

DECORATING GUIDES Get the High Style of Ebony Minus the High Price

By Elements of Style

Bring the elegance of a prized wood to your rooms with techniques that replicate the look for less

HOME TECH If ‘High-Def’ TV Isn’t High Enough, Maybe You Need Ultra-HD

The ultra-luxury next generation of TV, called Ultra-HD, is finally here. And so is the first content, if you know where to look

HOUSEPLANTS Grow Donkey Tail Succulent, a High-Impact, Low-Maintenance Plant

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Easy-care Sedum morganianum is perfect for hanging planters and mixed containers

Hang Ten: Laid Back Surfer Style

By Becky Harris

0

DECORATING GUIDES Hot Looks From the Spring 2013 High Point Market

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

Get an eyeful of some of the colors, textures, materials and more taking a big stand at North Carolina's huge furnishings trade show

Sponsored

More Discussions

need a loveseat, lighting, coffee table? Rugs?

3

Home improval and revamping

4

Feedback on spraying grasscloth with water repellant.

8

Unframed Canvas Pic Dilemma

6

Need help with a dining room table?

0