Wall art can be a challenge to hang properly due to the shape, size and design. Wall art with lots of hollow areas or intricate designs can provide a challenge to mount, which is why we created this guide.
If you have invested time designing your own wall art for Halman Thompson to create by hand, you’re going to want to know how to get the best out of it when you hang it.
That’s what this page is all about.
By the end, you’ll have all the information you need to be able to confidently hang your wall art, position it and make it look its best.
Positioning your wall art
Positioning your wall art is key to getting the best out of it. Optimum placement depends on the room you’re hanging it in, the shape, size and configuration.
For example:
Eye level on a wall
Smaller pieces can be hung at eye level on any wall. The exact height will depend on your height of course, but it would typically be around 150cm from the floor for a single piece. Multiple pieces can be hung around that line as required.
Above furniture
Hanging wall art above furniture adds further interest to that area of the room. For example, centring the wall art above a sofa or a series of pieces above a sideboard or other piece of furniture.
Above a fireplace
If you want to hang your wall art above a fireplace, it’s common to centre it on the edge of the fireplace or lined up with the fire surround.
Position as a gallery
If you have multiple pieces of wall art, hanging them as a mini gallery on a wall can be a great look. Hang them at eye level, either uniformly with straight lines or more creatively as a mix and match.
Uniformity vs creative hanging
Wherever you hang your wall art, you have two main considerations. Keep the wall art linear and straight in a uniform way or hang them more creatively.
Uniformity makes the room look even and can line up with furniture, picture rails and any other signature area. If uniformity is more pleasing to your eye, make sure you have a tape measure, masking tape and a pencil to hand.
Creative hanging adds an element of randomness to hanging. There is still an overall design, hanging the art within a defined area, but in a more freeform way.
If linear hanging and everything being measured and even isn’t your thing, perhaps a freeform method would work better.
How to hang wall art so it looks its best
Like most DIY projects, hanging wall art is mostly about the preparation. Get that right and everything else will fall into place.
1. Prepare the wall for hanging
Make sure the wall is flat and decorated ready to hang. Tidy up any areas that need a little paint or ensure all wallpaper is in good condition.
We don’t want to have to redo any of the hanging because you need to replace the wallpaper or fill and repaint holes!
2. Measure up
Decide where you want to place your wall art and measure distances and placement. Use masking tape to outline corners and mark exactly where each piece will hang with pencil.
If you can, offer up each piece and check to make sure it looks good in place and next to other pieces.
Once you’re happy with placement, measure the back of the piece where the hangings are and mark the wall where you need to drill or place picture hanging hooks.
Don’t forget to consider the height and dip of any string or hanging wire if you’re using them.
Take your time with this part and get a second opinion if you can. Single pieces will be easier to place and measure than multiple pieces of course.
Multiple pieces may need a little finessing to get their placement right. The more time you take, the happier you’ll be with the end result.
3. Drill or attach hanging kits
Depending on the size and weight of the wall art, you can use a picture hanging kit or drill holes to handle heavier weights.
If you’re using hanging strips, place them on the back of the wall art and offer them up until you’re completely happy.
Don’t remove the protective tape until you’re 100% sure of the placement.
4. Hang your wall art
It’s finally time to hang your wall art. Use the hooks, screws or hanging strips, hang your art, finesse everything until it’s all lined up and you’re happy.
Once done, take a few steps back to look at the bigger picture. You’ll often find a piece of art looks good close up but not so good when you step back.
Finesse everything until you’re completely happy.
That’s all there is to hanging wall art. Like we said at the top, it’s mainly about preparation rather than the work itself.
Take your time, measure twice, drill or nail once, offer up, check placement, recheck everything and you should end up with the perfect placement for your art.
Wall Art from Halman Thompson
If you decide to buy metal wall art from Halman Thompson, they will cut it to size and prepare them so they are perfect for any project and ready to fit.
All wall art will be handmade so every piece is unique. We use a specialist process to deliver a lovely patina in one of a number of finishes, and each piece is designed to your exact specifications and can be secured into place in seconds.
Contact Halman Thompson to request a free bespoke quote.
