Hanging a picture well is mostly about height and spacing. These guidelines work in most rooms and are easy to adjust once you see the result.
- Centre at eye level. Many galleries hang the centre of a work about 145 to 155 cm (57 to 61 inches) from the floor. Treat that as a starting point and adjust it to your room.
- Above furniture, leave roughly 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 inches) between the top of a sofa or sideboard and the bottom of the frame.
- For a group of works, lay them out on the floor first, or tape paper templates to the wall, and keep the gaps between frames even.
- Use the right fixings for your wall and the weight of the work. For heavy pieces, use two hooks so the frame stays level.
- Mind the light. Avoid strong direct sunlight and heat sources such as radiators, which can fade or damage paper and paint over time.
Not sure where a new piece should go? Many galleries offer advice on frames and hanging. Send a photo of your wall with its measurements, and ask what would work.