Hanging Oil Paintings

Collecting oil paintings is a wonderful hobby. You can collect antique paintings or modern ones by a favorite artist. One of the best things about this hobby is you can hang your paintings right on the wall and enjoy them every day. Learning how to arrange and hang them properly can do a lot to improve the appeal of your décor.

You have just purchased a oil painting which will make a wonderful addition to the décor in your living room. So you bring it into the room and hammer a nail into the wall over the couch sitting the oil painting on it. Easy!

You take a step back to admire your new purchase. You look at the wall from different angles. Squinting, you take another look at the painting. Something is amiss, but you can’t figure out what it is.

If you have ever found yourself dissatisfied with the appearance of the decorations on your walls you are not alone. Many people make the same common mistakes that the eye can read as awkward but the individual does not know how to fix. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when arranging pictures or wall hangings on a wall:

Hanging Large Oil Paintings:

Large artwork should be your focal point. Be sure to hang it in the right spot. Where does large hangings look best? Try over a couch, behind the dining set, over a fireplace or on a feature wall. A feature wall is where the placement of furniture or the layout of the home naturally guides the eye to a wall - a great place to feature art.

Hanging Small Art:

Try to group smaller pieces together to create a little focal point and add interest. You can tie them together by using similar types or putting them in matching frames. If you don’t have a group, a smaller piece should be hung low and close to the furniture.

Hanging Paintings In Groups:

You can group items of any size together for an interesting display. Space them about 3” away from each other. Lay the pieces out on the floor first so that you can find the perfect arrangement. Then measure carefully and make your holes for hanging.

HEIGHT:

Artwork should be hung with the very center level with your eyes. That means the center should be about 60 to 66 inches from the floor. If you've visited a gallery you will see that the frames are not lined up by their top or bottom edges but that the pictures are all centered at the same height.

If the painting will be viewed from a sitting position – like from the couch or dining table, you should hang at the eye level of the sitter.

Décor hung behind a couch should be no more than 8 to 10 inches above the back of the couch.

Use these tips to create a designer look on your walls!