Mistakes Hanging Art and How to Fix Them Quick

My Domaine asked a few designers to share common decorating mistakes that can be fixed in fifteen minutes or less, and a few of them were related to hanging art. So here’s some quick changes you can make that will really step up your game:

Art That’s Too Small

Art that isn’t the right size for the space that it’s hanging in can really make the area look as though it’s lacking something. “Larger pieces actually bring in visual interest, texture, and color, completing the look of the space”, says Abbe Fenimore of Studio Ten 25

Not sure which size art should go where? I’ve put together a few visual references for you here, or you can download my art size worksheet and calculate the size range you should be looking for.

So, if your art’s too small, what are your options?

• Swap out what you have for larger pieces that are better sized for that spot.
• Move your current, to-small-art, to a smaller section of wall where it would fit better.
• Group a few small and mid-size pieces together to make a gallery wall.
• And if you’d like new art to fit your space perfectly, then head to my shop and have a custom size made just for you.

Art That’s Hung Too High

So how high should you be hanging art? It’s actually a lot simpler than you think.

• If it’s not hanging above anything then then just put it at eye level, so that means having the middle of the piece about 60 inches from the floor. Are you tall? Or short? The way I see it, your house, your rules, so put it at your eye height.
• If you will be hanging art above a piece of furniture you’ll probably want it a little lower, so it’s nice and close as though everything was put there with intention. Together. So hang it 6 – 10 inches above, a little closer to six for a shelf or a credenza, and a little closer to ten it it’s above a sofa or bed (just to keep people from knocking into it).

Art That’s Crooked

We’ve all got that one piece in our house that just won’t stay straight. Ours is in our bathroom and I have no idea why it jiggles out of level so often, but it just does. And there’s two (and probably more) easy ways to fix it.

• Add a second hook. That’s what I did and it hasn’t gone crooked since. (Though you may need to move the first hook too)
• Remember those 3M Command Picture Hanging Strips I told you about a few weeks ago? Well they’re perfect for keeping your art firmly in place. Use your nail or hook to hang your art, then stick a picture hanging strip on the back of one of the bottom corners to keep it from wiggling around.

So which art hanging mistake are you guilty of? And how are you going to fix it?

Photo: Mint House Interiors

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