How high should a picture hang? We guide you

How high should a picture hang? We guide you

Sure, it's great to decorate with pictures and posters on the walls. Lovely motifs in different colors are actually what give life to a room. But to get that right feeling, the pictures must also hang correctly. It is common for people not to know how high a picture should be - they hang it either too high or too low.

With the help of our guide, you can hang pictures at the height that is most advantageous for ceiling height and space. Keep reading to become a pro at hanging stylish wall decorations at home.

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So, how high should you hang a picture?

Once you have a plan and decided roughly where on the wall the picture should sit, it's time to measure the height. Deciding how high a picture should sit can feel like a basic task - but it's trickier than you might think. In fact, many people hang their pictures completely wrong. A good rule of thumb is that the midpoint of the picture should sit about 140-145 centimeters from the floor.

 

The suitable height can of course vary depending on the ceiling height and if you plan to create a gallery wall. For example, if you are putting together a gallery wall that fills most of the wall, the pictures can go from floor to ceiling - we promise an outstanding result. 

 

You know that on Posterton's website, you can find plenty of useful inspiration on how to hang your pictures at home, both as a gallery wall and as individual details. Buy new posters and pictures and get lovely inspiration at Posterton today. 

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Use the Golden Ratio 

To determine how high a picture should be, we recommend that you start with the Golden Ratio. This is a method used in museums and art galleries and is very practical when you want to hang several pictures in different sizes next to each other. This way, you create a perfect balance between the pictures and their proportions. 

HOW TO FOLLOW THE GOLDEN RATIO - STEP BY STEP:

  1. Start from the wall's midpoint, which is usually around 140-145 cm from the floor.
  2. Measure the height of the picture.
  3. Divide the measurement by three.
  4. Subtract this sum from the midpoint height. 
  5. The number you get is the distance from the floor to the bottom of the picture.
  6. Add the distance to the hanging device so you know where to put the hook in the wall. 

How should you think when hanging several pictures?

Below we go through some suggestions on how you can think and proceed when hanging several pictures together.  

Hang pictures according to the centerline 

If you are hanging pictures in different sizes, it can be beneficial to start from the centerline. The sizes then become less important, and you can mix and match as you like. Remember that the pictures should have the same distance between them; otherwise, you will create a cluttered impression. 

Hang pictures according to the baseline

If you are hanging taller pictures, it is often a good idea to start from the baseline, i.e., in line with the bottom of the picture. Again, it is important to have the same distance between the pictures to create a uniform result.  

Hang pictures according to the top line 

In fact, it is quite unusual to start from the top when hanging pictures. However, it is often a very effective strategy when you want to hang several pictures. Be careful to measure the distance between the pictures because equal distances between all frames give a structured impression.  

Hang pictures vertically 

If you choose to hang your pictures in a vertical line, there is an important rule to follow - the largest picture should always be hung first. It may not seem like it will make any difference before you try it, but the fact is that it is much easier to hang the pictures nicely thanks to this strategy. 

How high should a picture be above the sofa?

When you are hanging a picture above the sofa, it should not be too close to the sofa's backrest. A simple rule is to have as much space between the picture and the backrest as between the ceiling and the picture. The picture should preferably not be closer to the ceiling than to the sofa. However, if you want to hang the picture a bit higher or create a gallery wall, the highest picture should have at least 20 centimeters to the ceiling molding. 

 

Read more about how to set up a gallery wall behind the sofa - and take part in our best tips.