How High Should I Hang My Artwork and Pictures?

I'm often asked by those who hire me for commercial and residential interior decorating, "How high should I hang my pictures?"   The rule of thumb is: hang all pictures at 57-inches-on-center. This is "gallery height" and roughly the average human eye level.

To do this, first we need a starting point. Somewhat in the middle of the space you'd like to hang your artwork, measure up 57" from the floor. Put a small pencil mark here. 

Secondly, we must determine how high to put our pin or nail: 

1. Measure your artwork from top to bottom (its height).
   
2. Divide the height in half.  This is the halfed-height number.  Jot it down. 
3. Next, measure the distance between your artwork's wire and top of your artwork's frame (be sure you're pulling the wire taught, upwardly).  This is the wire-slack-space number.  Jot it down too.
4. Now subtract the wire-slack-space number from the halfed-height number.  This is your magic number.
5. Measure this magic number above your 57" mark on the wall. Draw a line parallel to the floor at this height. 
   

That is the level at which you put in the pin or nail. 

Finally, you'll want your picture centered within your space -- so the third step is to try to get your picture adjusted from left-to-right. To get it centered in the space, use moldings, door trim, and wall edges as your guides, and calculate where "center" is along your parallel line. This is where you hammer in your nail. Ta da! 

If 57-inches-on-center looks a little low at first, don't fret! Everyone hangs their pictures too high as beginners, so it seems odd until you become accustomed. Don't worry, it's correct.  Happy decorating! CCM