Photo by Lordn via iStock
Hanging a photo on the wall is a simple matter of putting the hanger on the wall and hanging the picture from it...
It's a task that seems easy enough, right?
But that's not all you need to do to hang a photo with the most impact. There are a few other things you need to think about before slapping a photo on the wall.
So, in this quick guide, we'll show you a few things to keep in mind so you can learn how to hang a photo like a pro.
How to Hang a Photo: Sizing Matters
Photo by Highwaystarz-Photography via iStock
One of the first things you need to consider when learning how to hang a photo frame is the size of the print.
I mean, if you have a huge expanse of wall space, getting a 12x14 print isn't going to cut it - the print will be lost on an ocean of wall.
By the same token, you probably don't want a massive 40x60 canvas print that covers the entire wall of your powder room...
So, before you start hammering hangers into walls, think purposefully about how much real estate you have for your photo and whether or not the print is sized appropriately for the space.
Other things to think about include:
- Hang the print at eye level. Usually, this means that the center of the print should be about 60 inches from the floor.
- If you're creating a gallery wall, the center of the gallery should be about 60 inches above the floor.
- When sizing a print for a wall, use this common formula: wall length x 0.57. So, for example, if the wall is 10 feet long, get a print that's about 68.5 inches wide.
- If hanging multiple pictures, be sure that their combined width adheres to the 0.57 rule discussed above. Remember that you need to account for several inches of space in between each picture.
Go for the Atypical
Hanging images on the wall doesn't have to adhere to traditional norms.
For example, if you're hanging a group of photos, they don't all need to have matching frames. To the contrary, having a gallery wall of images that have different colors of frames, different frame materials, and different mats can give the gallery wall an eclectic, artistic, and more interesting vibe.
Likewise, don't be afraid to shirk convention and do an asymmetrical design with the layout of your images. Having one large image on the left, for example, balanced by six smaller images on the right, still provides a nice balance but without being matchy-matchy.
Besides, asymmetrical patterns with wall photos lends to a more casual and relaxed look. Unless you live in a manor, having a more casual presentation of images is typically more pleasing to the eye.
Don't be afraid to hang art in unexpected rooms, either. Bathrooms, large closets, laundry rooms, and mudrooms are often frequented, but also often don't have any art on the walls. Break convention and change that!
Learn More:
How to Hang a Photo Frame on the Wall: Pay Attention to Grouping and Spacing
Photo by FilippoBacci via iStock
If you have two photos you want to hang together, treat them as being one larger piece.
Doing so means that the images should be hung in line with one another (so none of that asymmetrical business we just spoke about...reserve that for displays of three or more photos). If the images you're hanging are both in landscape format, they will likely look better hung one above the other. If both are in portrait format, a side-by-side orientation might be the most pleasing.
But if one is in landscape orientation and the other is in portrait orientation, it will usually look best if the landscape-oriented image is on the bottom.
Photo by KatarzynaBialasiewicz via iStock
Regardless of the grouping or number of photos you have, be sure the spacing is spot on...
Nothing ruins a display of images on the wall than spacing between the images that's not consistent. This goes for symmetrical and asymmetrical displays, too - you can be as asymmetrical as you want, but having the same distance between each frame (say, 2-3 inches in most instances) will help the display feel purposeful rather than willy-nilly.
Try Different Substrates, Too
Years ago, I printed one of my images on paper and had it framed. I loved that image (it was an early photo I took of my son), but when I got the framed image back, it just lacked the character that I thought it needed.
So, I tried again, this time with canvas. And it made all the difference in the world! I liked how the image wrapped around the sides of the canvas as opposed to the image being framed by the frame and mat.
The lesson learned, then, is that trying different types of prints can be beneficial in your quest to learn how to hang a photo.
In one instance, a nice printed, framed photo might be the best course of action. In another instance, canvas or metal or acrylic might be the way to go.
Since I got that first canvas print, I've ordered dozens more from CanvasHQ. The craftsmanship of these canvases is off the charts, so each time I order a print, I get something that highlights my photos and adds loads of character.
What's great about canvases like this is that they look great up front, but CanvasHQ also pays close attention to the details behind the print.
Sure, they use archival-grade canvas and professional-grade inks, but none of that matters if the frame isn't built correctly.
As I've noted in our Canvas Print Shootouts in 2019, 2020, and 2021, CanvasHQ beats out the competition because they use kiln-dried wood with loads of bracing and stretcher bars that keep the canvas nice and tight.
So, as the years go on, there's no sagging of the canvas and no worry of what it might look like years down the road. Instead, each canvas I've bought looks just as good as the day I bought it!
Sure, there's the "technical" aspect of learning how to hang a photo, but don't neglect the creative aspects, too. Experiment with how the images are laid out on the wall. Try different types of frames and mats. And give different substrates a try, too. The more you experiment, the more you'll be able to clearly define what you like and how you want to hang your photos.
Picture Hanging Supplies You Might Need:
- Level
- Command Strips
- Claw Drywall Picture Hanger
- Picture Hanging Kit
- MarkIt Picture Hanging Kit
- Cliprail Pro Picture Hanging System
- PairMount 45 Lb. Picture Hangers
- Picture Hanging Tool With Level