The Smart (and Stylish) Way to Hang Wall Art

You’ve invested in portraits that deserve to be seen—beautifully. This guide walks you through how to place artwork so it feels intentional, balanced, and luxuriously “meant for the space,” whether that’s a dramatic single piece or a curated gallery wall in your entry way or living room.

Start With Scale

Before we measure a single millimetre, we decide how much visual real estate the art should claim. Above furniture, the piece (or grouping) should read as part of the furniture—big enough to feel anchored, not floating. As a rule, artwork that spans roughly two-thirds of the width of the sofa, console, or bed looks elevated and proportionate. If you’re between sizes, go larger; undersized pieces make even the most exquisite portraits look timid.

Find True Eye Level

Museums hang to a consistent eye line so pieces feel calm and cohesive. In homes, that sweet spot is usually when the centre of the artwork sits about 57–60 inches (145–152 cm) from the floor. Once you mark that centre point, you calculate your specific hanger height based on the frame and hardware so the centre lands exactly where it should. Tall ceilings don’t change the centre line—only the composition around it.

PRO TIP:

Centre means that the centre of your art piece (not the hook) should be 57″ from the floor. This is a general rule but if your ceilings are lower that 8′ – 9′ then measure the vertical height of your wall and divide it into three sections. Then place your art piece in the top third section.

Above Sofas, Beds, and Mantels

When art lives with furniture, we keep the relationship tight so it reads as one designed vignette. Aim for the bottom of the frame to sit about 6–10 inches above the back of the sofa or headboard. Over a fireplace, maintain a similar visual connection and avoid pushing art too high toward the ceiling; the eye should relax, not chase.

Map it Before you Commit

Perfect placement is planned, not guessed. We’ll mock up your wall using your photos and scale-accurate overlays, then refine spacing and rhythm until everything feels balanced. If you’re DIY-ing, painter’s tape or paper cutouts are brilliant for previewing size, spacing, and flow—especially for grids or salon walls up a staircase.

Mind the Light (and the Island Climate)

Direct sun can fade even archival prints. Be sure to position your portraits to avoid harsh rays where possible and recommend UV-protective glazing when needed. In bright rooms and ocean-air environments, premium framing, sealed backings, and conservation materials protect your investment for decades.

Spacing that Looks Custom

In multi-piece layouts, consistent spacing is the quiet luxury that makes everything feel intentional. For most frames, keeping gaps within a tight band (think a few inches, scaled to the frame size) creates that tailored, gallery-grade look without visual noise.

Hopefully this will help when you are planning where and how to hang your portraits!

Kim Yanick Portraits

Vancouver Island Photographer

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