HANGING ART:
TIPS FOR DECORATING YOUR HOME
As well as the art itself, the choice of display wall is an essential element in any arrangement. Salon-style hanging is an ideal method for presenting an entire art collection or theme.
Christoph Bamberg | LUMAS CURATOR
Hanging art in 8 easy steps
1. Choose a theme
Which work(s) would you like to highlight? Choosing your artworks is the first step to creating a gallery wall. A great place to start is with a theme, like a color scheme.
2. Pick a spot
Do you want to display your art on a wide-open wall or in a defined space? Larger arrangements need space; smaller clusters shine in compact areas.
3. Lighting is key
Sunlight and artificial lighting can affect the luminosity and crispness of your art. While dark corners should be avoided, direct sunlight can also cause fading.
4. Incorporate interior design
Consider furniture layout and room proportions: Art should span ⅔–¾ of the furniture’s width below. Above sofas, leave 20–30 cm from backrest to frame for visual balance.
5. Choose the right height
Ideally, place the center at eye level or the top third just above it. Professional gallerists often hang artworks with the center of the frame 1.5 m from the ground.
6. Try it out first
Before putting holes in your wall, sketch your layout. Use paper cutouts and painter’s tape to test placements on the wall—or lay the artworks on the floor to find the ideal arrangement.
7. Hang your artworks
Thanks to the integrated gallery rail on the back, you can easily hang your artwork on the wall. First, mark the drill points and start with the center piece. Use suitable dowels that match your wall type to ensure secure support. Larger formats require two hanging points, which should be positioned as far out as possible to ensure stability. Lenticular works are hung directly on the frame, and for larger formats, it is particularly recommended to place multiple support points to distribute the weight optimally.
8. Take care of your artwork
Avoid direct sunlight and heat sources like radiators. Large-format pieces should hang on two evenly spaced screws, not a single point. Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth such as microfiber for cleaning without applying much pressure to the surface.
A quick guide to hanging art
- Decide on a shared theme for your arrangement to give the display unified look.
- Decide which wall you would like to hang your works on –walls with muted color palettes will really make the art stand out.
- Try to avoid hanging artworks in areas of direct sunlight. Coordinate the artwork with the surrounding furniture and décor.
- Try to hang the artworks with around 1.5 meters between the bottom of the frame and the floor – this will ensure that the center of the image is at eye level.
- Try out different hanging arrangements – each type of arrangement will lend a unique overall look to your art.
- Preview arranging your artworks on the floor or the wall with painter’s tape before hanging them.
- Use a spirit level while drilling holes and hanging the artworks to achieve perfectly straight lines.
- The pre-assembled mounting rails and sawtooth hooks on all LUMAS artworks make picture hanging quick and easy.
Arrange your artworks
Do you prefer artworks hung in clearly defined rows, or in a more spontaneous arrangement? Whichever style you’re going for, it’s possible to combine different frames, formats, colors and subject matter in one harmonious whole.
