After deciding the style, size and shape of your picture frames and/or picture gallery walls, it is then a case of finding the ideal height to hang them. Personal preference should come into play here; after all, you are the one who has to live there and view the framed pieces. Bear in mind, as well, that not all rooms are the same; life would be rather boring if they were, and that for those rooms that could be described as being somewhat quirky, a little imagination may well be required. There are some well-documented industry recommendations that you are able to use should you wish to do so, and we will include these below.
Single Frames on Bare Walls
If you are going to hang the picture frames on a bare wall without any type of furniture beneath, such as a sofa, it is best to position them at eye level. By doing this it ensures that the contents of the picture frame become the focal point whilst ensuring that balance is maintained. Ideally, the vertical midpoint of your frames should range between 57″ (144cm) and 60″ (152cm) from the floor. It is advisable to lower the picture frames in the rooms of children as this will improve the overall viewing experience for them.
Single Frames Above Furniture
If you are hanging just the one frame above a piece of furniture it is best to aim for it to hover between 4″ (17cm) to 12″ (25cm) above the furniture's surface.
What's the Ideal Height for a Gallery Wall?
Deciding the ideal height to hang a picture gallery wall can be somewhat trickier. There are, however, simple guidelines that can help those that require them.
Gallery Walls on Empty Walls
It is advisable to class the collection of gallery wall frames as if they were one and position them at approximately eye level in the centre of the wall. And as mentioned above when discussing single picture frames, the vertical centre of your gallery wall should hang between 57″ (144cm) and 60″ (152cm) from the floor.
Gallery Walls Above Furniture
For picture gallery walls that are to be hung above furniture, it is best to keep a gap of 7″ (17cm) to 10″ (25cm) between the lowest frame and the top of the furniture.
Additional Considerations for Hanging Artwork
In areas of the home where you would normally be standing up such as the hallway or on the stairs, it is beneficial to hang the frames at a lower level as this would make them easier to view.
If you have a room which has a particularly high ceiling, then it often looks better to hang your picture frames a little higher than usual. This helps to draw the eye upwards.
As previously mentioned, the above are just guidelines and you are able to adjust the height as you see fit. This will more than likely need to be the case in rooms and spaces that would be classed as unconventional, such as "under the eaves". This is where a certain amount of trial and error is likely to be required before deciding upon the best height for the situation. With a little patience and some creativity, you are likely to find the ideal hanging height for whatever space you're working with.