Where and How to Hang Pictures

Hanging a piece of art may seem simple, but there are many considerations to ensure it is placed and hung correctly. Here is Olga Frame's perfect guide to picture hanging.

Framing your artwork is a significant investment, so it's beneficial to think about where you will hang it once it is delivered.

People often rush to design their perfect frames but forget to consider whether the weight, size, and proportions match the wall where the frame will be hung.

Unfortunately, buying and hanging picture frames has traditionally been cumbersome and expensive.

Fortunately, we have addressed this issue with our wholesale technical material tools.

Note: You don't need to worry about becoming a framing expert. Our website is designed to help you select and customize the best frame for your picture in no time.

This guide provides an overview of all the important factors to consider when choosing, placing, and hanging your frames.

How framing your pictures with Olga Frame works:

We have simplified the framing of your artworks, photos, posters, and prints. Here is how our process works:

Browse our range of picture frames or custom frames to find the best one for your picture (you can also send a digital photo for us to print and frame).
Purchase your new frame online without visiting a local framer and avoid hidden extras they may try to sell you. Securely pay for your frames using your card or transfer.
We will then send your frames within a few days for you to place and hang your picture.

Why is it important to plan where to hang my frame before buying?

Initially, the cost of framing your photos can be a concern. You may have heard horror stories of people paying high rates for frames from local stores. However, framing doesn't have to be expensive; so, how much should you expect to pay?

Let's face it; custom framing isn't as cheap as buying a ready-made frame from certain Swedish furniture chains, and it never will be.

However, you'll be surprised at how affordable a beautifully crafted, custom-sized frame made by artisans in Turkey can be.

Frame costs can vary significantly and depend on numerous factors such as:

The type of frame you choose, e.g., wood or plastic
The quality of the frame, e.g., budget vs. premium
How large the frame is
How many frames you need
Extras purchased (e.g., mounting parts, glass, etc.)

For example, a simple black plastic A4 frame will be cheaper than a premium custom-made frame made of wood.

Why are some frames more expensive?

Every frame is custom-made using raw materials sourced from abroad; this requires more time, effort, and materials (as the frame size increases).

Thinking about where you want to hang your frame before ordering can save you money and post-purchase regret. Not doing so may result in a frame that doesn’t fit the space physically or aesthetically.

Choosing the Right Picture Frame for Your Space

The right frame for your space should complement your room, furniture, and artwork. It’s all about balance, and you can create a harmonious way to display your art by trusting your instincts on what looks and feels right.

Select frames and pictures according to room and wall proportions

Using the proportions of your room will help your artwork blend seamlessly. The first step is to evaluate your room and furniture to get an idea of the frames and sizes that might work for your space.

If your room is quite minimal, follow that with a single frame or two pictures. If you have a “positive” space (a space filled with objects, materials, and 'things'), try hanging multiple frames together to create cohesion.

Pictures for large rooms

Large rooms and empty wall spaces call for large frames. They can help make spaces feel more complete and add character. Opt for a big, statement frame or create a gallery wall. If you want to fill a room with high ceilings, try hanging your photos vertically instead of horizontally.

Pictures for small rooms

Avoid trying to cram too many frames into a small space. One or two small-framed photos can bring character to a reading nook or small study without feeling overwhelming. Mats with windows can be a great way to frame a photo collection in a small space without cluttering your walls.

Match the mood of your art to your home

The style of the frame is largely irrelevant in terms of hanging advice. However, you can use our blog page to choose the right frame style.

Where Do You Want to Hang Your Art?

Most people know where they plan to hang their framed piece before they order it.

You will typically fall into one of two scenarios:

Hanging a frame on a blank wall
Reframing or replacing a piece that is already hanging in the same or similar location

Hanging a frame on a blank wall

It's not uncommon for people to want to hang frames in new or different places. However, this is usually more time-consuming than keeping your frames in the same spot and reusing existing wall fixings.

Reframing or replacing art already hung in the same place

If you’re refreshing a wall that already has a framed piece hanging, the process will likely be simpler than placing something brand new. Changing a frame and hanging the new one in the same spot involves removing the old one and putting up the new one. However, make sure that the wall fixings can support the weight of your new framed piece.

Other Considerations When Choosing the Location

There are a few more factors to consider when choosing where to hang your frame:

Safety: One important factor is safety. Choose an appropriate wall based on the type of glass you have chosen.
Lighting: You should also consider the lighting in the room when choosing where to hang your frame. If the frame will be displayed in a place that receives strong natural light, such as near a window, using UV-protective glass might be more suitable to prevent the artwork from fading or discoloring. Conversely, if the frame will be displayed in a dimly lit area, using high-clarity glass material (plain-glass, matte-glass) might be preferable for maximum visibility.

What Size and Shape of Framed Artwork Should I Buy?

The size of your frame is largely determined by the size of your artwork. However, by choosing a mat, you can make the overall frame size significantly larger than your artwork.

A mat is a piece of card, sometimes called a window mount, that sits around your picture but inside the frame. By increasing the size of your mat edges, you can create an overall larger frame; this is especially useful for filling large, empty walls.

By using a mat, you can create a frame of almost any size and shape regardless of your artwork’s dimensions and aspect ratio. Armed with this, you can now look at what size and shape of frame will best suit your room. Here are five key rules for designing a frame that looks great on any wall:

Repeat shapes for a pleasing look. Repeated shapes will tie separate pieces of furniture together and create a cohesive look and feel. For example, if you have a rectangular rug on the floor, mirror that shape with landscape or portrait-framed artworks instead of a square.
Rooms with tall walls and high ceilings require larger frames, ensuring there isn't too much blank space between your artwork and the ceiling. For multiple picture frames, try spreading them across your wall so the lowest frame is at eye level to draw attention throughout your space.
Ensure there is space for negative space. Negative space is a design principle used to prevent your room from looking cluttered. Adding negative space will also help draw attention to your framed piece. The golden ratio suggests filling about 60% of your wall space with framed artwork, leaving 40% of the wall blank around your frame. This 1.618 ratio ensures your display looks complete but not overwhelming.
Ensure the scale of your framed piece is sized relative to the furniture in your room. For instance, if you are hanging your frame over a console table or a headboard, ensure that the frame does not extend beyond the edges. A general rule of thumb is to size your framed artwork so that it is no larger than half to two-thirds of the width of the furniture below. For example, a 210 cm buffet pairs well with a 140 cm frame.

How High Should I Hang My Frame?

Once you’ve determined the ideal size, shape, and style for your frame(s), it’s time to take a closer look at how high to hang them.

Single Frames on a Blank Wall

If you are hanging your frame on a blank wall, with no furniture below it, you should hang your frames at eye level. This will make your art the focal point and give it a balanced look on your wall. Depending on your ceiling height, you may wish to move frames slightly up or down, but generally, the vertical center of your framed artwork should be between 57″ (144 cm) and 60″ (152 cm) from the floor. If the art is being hung in a child’s room, you may want to position it slightly lower for their enjoyment.

Single Frames Above Furniture

If you are hanging a single framed piece above furniture, the frame should be placed 4″ (10 cm) to 12″ (30 cm) above the furniture.

How High Should I Hang a Gallery Wall?

Finding the correct height for hanging a collection of frames or a gallery wall can be a more complex process, but there are a few simple rules that can make it easier.

Gallery Walls on a Blank Wall

Our best advice is to treat the arrangement of frames as a single entity and position the center approximately at eye level. As with single frames, your gallery wall's vertical center should be between 57″ (144 cm) and 60″ (152 cm) from the floor.

If you want a more “organic” look and your gallery wall might evolve, choose a midpoint and build from there.

Gallery Walls Above Furniture

Gallery walls hung above a piece of furniture, like a sofa, should be hung with a gap of 7″ (17 cm) to 10″ (25 cm) between the lowest frame and the furniture.

Other Points to Consider When Deciding How High to Hang Your Art

There is no “one-size-fits-all” height rule, so unconventional hanging points may benefit from a slight deviation from our recommendations above.

If you’re hanging multiple pieces of art along a staircase, make sure the frames are all hung at eye level parallel to the steps. Measure the eye-level height every few steps to create a line that guides where your frames should be placed.

For areas where people are likely to sit (e.g., dining rooms, offices, and living rooms), you may want to hang pictures a bit lower to keep them more in focus while seated.

How to Hang Your New Frame?

Alright, you’ve found the perfect spot and frame for your artwork; now it’s time to hang it. The process can seem daunting if you don’t have much experience, but we’ll break it down and make it as simple as possible. Remember, you can always ask a friend or family member for help!

Which Hanging Hardware Should I Use (fixings that physically attach to your frame)?

Most picture and photo frames come with pre-attached or loose-hanging hardware.

For instance, our wall-hanging picture frames come with either zinc-plated press-fixing hardware or D-rings, depending on factors such as weight, size, and depth.

Should I Use Nails, Screws, or Hooks to Hang My Frame?

You need reliable and sturdy picture hangers to safely hang your frame.

We’ll start by determining your wall type. The easiest way to check whether your wall is plasterboard or brick is to tap on it with your knuckles. Plasterboard, stud, or hollow walls will produce a hollow sound. Solid brick, block, or dot-and-dab walls will sound firm.

Your options include:

Spring toggle fixings
Hollow wall anchors
Picture hooks

Each of the above should be strong enough to hold up to 20 kg, which is more than enough for hanging large frames, but check the weight rating label before purchase.

Rawl-type plugs are the best choice for hanging frames on solid brick walls. You should have no issues hanging heavy frames on brick walls, but it’s still wise to check the weight limit of the type of fixing you decide on.

Note: Be mindful of water pipes, electrical wiring, and studs. We recommend using a detector before choosing where to hang your frame. For these reasons, hanging frames in a new location can be more complex and require more time and effort than a standard, simple swap.

Picture Hooks for Your Walls

Picture frame hooks are the most common way to hang a picture on the wall and have proven to be a popular method. The benefit of this technique is its simplicity and cost-effectiveness; all you need is a hook, a hammer, and a nail. However, the drawback is that it’s not suitable for all wall types (especially plaster) and may require a nail to be hammered in for heavier artworks.

STAS Picture Hanging Systems

STAS has developed picture hanging systems – the best way to hang your pictures! Explore

Hanging Your Picture

Hold your frame against the wall in the desired spot to determine where the nails should go. Gently mark the wall with a pencil or masking tape at the top two corners of the frame, then mark the center between those two points.

Take your frame down and measure the distance between the center of the wire or string (when pulled taut) and the top of the frame. This measurement will tell you how far below the mark you need to place your wall hangers so that when you hang your frame, the picture sits exactly where you want it.

Nailing to the Wall

After marking the placement of the wall fasteners, gently hammer or screw the picture frame fasteners into the wall.

If your frame is particularly wide or heavy, consider driving two fixings spaced evenly around 2 to 3 inches from the center for extra support.

For those who don’t want to leave holes in their walls, command strips or other non-permanent fixtures are a useful alternative. Note that these are safest to use with lighter frames and may damage the wall surface if not removed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Use a level to ensure your frame is perfectly straight after hanging.

Leaning: An Alternative to Hanging Frames

Some spaces may not accommodate hanging frames, but that doesn’t mean you can’t surround yourself with art. Larger frames look great leaning against walls, while smaller frames can add a subtle touch when placed on a bookshelf, table, or even supported on an easel or picture rail.

Your perfect frame doesn’t need to follow the setup you saw online. It should be placed wherever suits you best.