HOW TO HANG ART
We got some advice from our friends over at artflash.de on how to deal with all the well-loved prints, exhibitions posters, flea market finds and if you are lucky, beautiful canvases you have in your home.
HOW HIGH?
The general rule of art on the wall is that it should be hung at eye level, which you can consider to be around 150 cm, but if it was that easy, you wouldn't be reading this. Here are the exceptions and common errors. Eye level is relative to you and your home. If you are very tall, and/or you have low ceiling, ditch the eye level rule and hang the work about 2/3 of the way up the wall.
GALLERY HANGS
If you are hanging a cluster of smaller images, divide the wall into four quarters, and allow yourself to work in the 3rd quadrant from the floor, leaving one quadrant free between the top piece and the ceiling.
HANGING OVER FURNITURE
If you are hanging a piece above a sofa or sideboard, think about going lower than the rule suggests. You should leave a gap of at least 20 cm between the underside of the piece and the furniture, but you can probably get closer than you think. Be brave, you can handle an asymmetric composition, if the room calls for it. Imagine the furniture piece and the art work working together to take on the wall. They should not be rivals for your attention. A painting above a sofa can be comfortably 2/3 of the width of the sofa, the same goes for a sideboard.
LEANING
For a very special piece, consider not hanging it. Lean larger pieces on the floor or smaller pieces on a shelf. The upward angle draws your attention to the piece, it stands out, and you can always move it around. Install a shallow shelf just for paintings if you love to rearrange.
NOW YOU KNOW THE RULES
FEEL FREE TO BREAK THEM!