Are You Hanging Your Artwork Too High?
We see this one all the time. Beautiful artwork. Beautiful room. But the artwork is practically halfway to the ceiling. Artwork should feel connected to the room—not like it’s floating above it. Remember 57–60 Inches. When artwork is hanging on an open wall, a great starting point is to position the center of the artwork approximately 57–60 inches from the floor. That’s around average eye level and creates a comfortable, gallery-inspired placement. But things change slightly when furniture is involved.
Above a Sofa, Console or Bed
When hanging artwork above furniture, we generally recommend leaving approximately 6–10 inches between the furniture and the bottom of the artwork. The goal is for the artwork and furniture to visually read as one composition. Too much space between them creates a disconnect.
Size Is Just as Important as Height
Another mistake we see? Artwork that’s too small. Above a sofa, console, bed, or buffet, artwork should have enough presence to balance the furniture below it. As a general guideline, aim for artwork that’s approximately two-thirds to three-quarters the width of the furniture. If one large piece doesn’t work, use multiple pieces to create the appropriate visual scale. And don’t be afraid of oversized artwork. A single substantial piece can make a room feel dramatically more elevated.
Artwork brings personality into your home. Hanging it correctly allows it to become part of the design rather than simply something filling an empty wall.
