How to Hang Art

Your walls should get just as much attention as your floor space and we’re here to help show you how. The good news is that there’s an opportunity for art just about anywhere you want in the home.

Hanging artwork is one of the easiest and most impactful ways to elevate your home décor, but knowing exactly how to hang art can feel overwhelming. From choosing the right placement above a sofa to styling a gallery wall, the details make all the difference in creating a space that feels curated, balanced, and inviting. At Studio McGee, we believe that anyone can style art like a designer with a few simple guidelines.

In this guide, we’re breaking down everything you need to know—ideal artwork height, how high to hang art above furniture, spacing for gallery walls, grid layouts, and scale considerations. Whether you’re hanging a statement piece over a console, arranging family photos, or looking for modern wall décor ideas, these Shea-approved art hanging tips will help you create a polished look that feels effortlessly stylish.

On a Blank Wall

When deciding how to hang art on a blank wall, aim for the center of the piece to sit around 60 inches from the floor. This measurement—roughly eye level for most people—creates a balanced and visually pleasing focal point. Maintaining this standard art hanging height ensures consistency and flow from room to room.

Lastly, don’t overlook the power of picture lighting. Adding a picture light—whether hardwired or battery-operated—instantly enhances your display by spotlighting the piece and adding depth and character. It’s a great way to bring a designer look to your wall decor, especially for artwork that’s meaningful or serves as a visual anchor in the room.

Above Furniture

We love the clean, curated look of styling a single large art piece above a console table. Hang the artwork just a few inches above the furniture to stay aligned with ideal height principles while making space for styled decor below. This layout is perfect for entryways, dining rooms, or living rooms and makes your wall art placement feel intentional and layered.

When you’re hanging art above furniture—like a sofa, console, bed, or dining bench—the goal is to create visual connection and balance between the piece and the items below. A common rule of thumb is to choose artwork (or a grouping) that spans approximately two-thirds the width of the furniture. This proportion helps the art feel integrated rather than floating or disconnected. Position the bottom edge of the frame 4 to 6 inches above the top of the furniture to maintain a cohesive visual relationship. If the piece is too small or too high, the arrangement can feel awkward or unanchored.

If you’re wondering how to hang art above a sofa or headboard specifically, scale is everything. A single oversized piece often creates the most impact, but a well-balanced diptych or horizontal pair can also work beautifully. For larger walls, consider a triptych or a symmetrical grid of smaller pieces for an architectural feel. No matter the style, the key is to ensure that your artwork placement respects the dimensions of the furniture and enhances the room’s overall design. These art hanging tips help guide you toward creating a well-proportioned and visually pleasing space that feels both designer and personal.

In Groupings

A well-designed gallery wall can be a show-stopping feature in any room, but the key to pulling it off is intentionality—both in layout and in the art itself. The principles for creating a beautifully composed gallery wall depend on the overall look you’re going for. If your style leans eclectic, mix up your artwork with a variety of styles, sizes, frame finishes, and mediums. You can combine sketches, paintings, family photos, and even textural pieces for depth and dimension. Just make sure there’s balance and purpose in your selection—avoid throwing in one outlier medium if all others are similar. Cohesion should still be the through line.

For a more refined or streamlined gallery wall layout, unify the collection by using similar frame styles, matting, color schemes, or subject matter. For example, a series of black-and-white photos in matching gold frames or a curated group of travel prints can feel polished yet personal. As for placement, keep 2 to 3 inches between each frame and position the center of the overall grouping around 60 inches from the floor for optimal visual balance. Before hammering any nails, lay everything out on the floor or sketch a plan on paper. We often use painter’s tape to map out the design directly on the wall—one of our favorite art hanging tips for getting a clean and confident result. If you’ve been wondering how to hang pictures evenly or how to create symmetry in a mixed collection, this step-by-step approach sets you up for success.

And Remember, You Don’t Always Have to Hang It

One of our favorite art styling tips is that you don’t always have to hang your artwork to make an impact. In fact, some of the most layered and lived-in looks come from styling art in unexpected ways—leaning, stacking, or resting it thoughtfully around your home. Try leaning a framed piece of artwork against a mirror on a console table or mantle. Whether it’s propped up with a small pedestal or simply resting against the wall, this adds visual interest and a sense of effortless style. You can even hang a small piece beside it for an asymmetrical, collected look that feels intentional yet relaxed.

Decorating with framed art isn’t limited to your walls. Place a petite piece on a bookshelf, style a print atop a dresser, or tuck a vintage-inspired sketch into your kitchen counter vignette for an unexpected moment of charm. These flexible styling moments add personality and movement to a space, making your home feel curated over time. Think of framed artwork as a decor object—it’s versatile and just as effective when it’s styled without being hung. Whether you’re filling in a nook or creating a layered focal point, leaning artwork is a simple, creative way to tell your story.