Figuring out where to hang art so that it looks its best and has the most impact in your new home is a tricky business. However, as our designer Nancy says, “Even designers have a tough time, don’t be too hard on yourself. That’s what spackle is for.”

Still, knowing where to hang art in a home is easier for professionals – our eyes and creative instincts are honed to create a nuanced, visually harmonious space. But that doesn’t mean you need design experience to put up art in your home. With the help of our designers’ tips and a little time, you’ll be hanging art in your home with the confidence of a gallery owner.

One of the more common mistakes is hanging art too high. This not only makes it hard to enjoy but is also at odds with a gracious atmosphere. Nancy calls this the museum effect – instead of adding warmth, the art feels aloof and so does the room. Our designer Miori’s trick for avoiding a museum effect is to place the center of the piece approximately 5 ½’ from the ground, a height which works out to eye level for most of the population.

Equally important to how high you hang your art is where it is placed. One of our go-to interior styling tools, the art impact wall elevates the chic quotient and establishes a room’s focal point. It’s also very easy to incorporate into your home. Simply look for the first wall you see upon entering a space and hang a curated grouping or statement piece there. However, that’s only a guideline – this detail also works beautifully above sofas and on bed walls. A single, oversized piece lends itself to an impact wall and is Miori’s favorite way to create drama with art. We love the idea of a gorgeous, large, abstract nature-inspired work in a transitional space such as an entryway.

If you plan to create an art impact wall with multiple works, our designer Roseli suggests enhancing the visual interest by mixing in mirrors and three-dimensional pieces.

Other things to consider before hanging art is the room itself:

1. Take a look at the art and the size of the wall on which you want it to hang. Are the proportions and scale such that the art can stand alone on the wall? For example, a small piece will look odd over a sofa. Instead, create balance by hanging a larger work or place multiple pieces together.
2. When creating a grouping or gallery wall, treat the collection as one large single piece. Think about incorporating shelves with accessories into the layout to add another layer of visual interest.
3. Be aware of doors and light switches. Make sure your art won’t get bonked by an opening door or knocked off the wall when someone’s looking for the light switch in the dark.
4. How much light does the location you’ve chosen receive? If things seem a bit dim, add an art light to showcase the work better.

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