How To Hang Your Art
A question that I often get asked at exhibitions is ‘How do I hang my art?’.
I believe there are several ways to hang art and this is often very personal.
It is different to hang one solitary artwork than hanging a whole collection of paintings. A small painting could go on a smaller or narrow wall and be the only star. Find a place in your home where you would like to see this painting every day. In my opinion, a small work should not hang by itself on a big wall, it would feel alone and lost in that space. I have small paintings in my home to meet me when I wake up or when I make my coffee.
If you have a number of works that you want to hang together you have several options. A classical way is, to hang a selection of works either with the upper level at the same height, or with the bottom of the frames at the same level. Another option is to keep a middle line through all the artworks. All three ways can be used whatever the sizes are.
At Art Woluwe 2024
And what about the height? I prefer hanging at eye-level, my eye-level if in my own house. I am not very tall, so when I hang an exhibition, I have to think about the different visitors that will come to see the show. To suit them all, or at least as many as possible, I will have to find a more general measurement. A good level could be to have the middle of the paintings at about 160 cm from the floor.
“Some works seem to “talk” to each other, let them hang out together!”
I am quite fond of the so called Russian hanging; you fill the wall as much as you want at different heights and levels as it looks good to you (at that moment...). Maybe you want combinations of certain colours or forms. Some works seem to “talk” to each other, let them hang out together! Big or small, colourful or discreet, it’s up to you! Below, I show you an example of one of the walls from an exhibition in Spain, where I participated together with some 40 other artists. At home you will probably have fewer artworks to hang together, but you still get a more relaxed and interesting wall of art to look at. 5-6 pieces of art together already gives the feeling.
At Shapó Olé Gallery, Gaucín, “Un Mismo Muro” 2025
Another thing to think about is, that a small room will look bigger when dressed with a big artwork. Do you dare?
If you do not want to make holes in your walls you have several other options.
If you know that one big wall will be the place to show all or most of your art, and you want it organised, it could be a good idea to install rails, as in art galleries. The rail is installed on the top of the wall where it meets the ceiling. Lines are placed in the rail using a purposed “runner” (similar as for curtains). You’ll find lines of different materials as twined threads of polyester or fine plastic tubes. Movable hooks to hang your art are placed on the lines for variable height. There are different type of hooks used in the various existing systems, some better than others (I’m talking from experience). Check it out before you make your investment! A cheaper but functional alternative could be curtain rails.
If you have lightweight artworks, it could work for you with the adhesive hooks, no holes, which you will find in most hardware stores.
Unframed work on paper can be placed with small magnets. Instead of making holes in the wall, you put a piece of metal (even a paper clip would work!) in a small amount of sticky tack or adhesive tape (check first so that it doesn’t take off your wallpaper if you want to change it!) on the wall and, on the front of the paper you put a tiny, discreet magnet. You will find them in creative or hardware stores or buy them via internet.
Use a small shelf where you can easily change artworks on display.
If you are arranging a still life with favourite objects somewhere in your house, I suggest to include a painting, for example lean it against the wall behind your composition.
Another good option is to place your artworks directly on the floor, especially if you have a sloping ceiling. You can easily change them according to your mood, put one or two in front and others partly hiding behind. As there are no holes and nails in the wall to consider, give it a go and see what happens.
“A small room will look bigger when dressed with a big artwork. Do you dare?”
Don’t be afraid to play and hang your art as it suits you. It is there to make you feel good, isn’t it?
Do you think that you have too much art already to buy a new piece? The solution is to change your artworks with the season, your mood or .... It’s your playground!