This 'Golden Rule' for Hanging Wall Art Will Result in a Perfectly Placed Picture for a More Balanced Look

Even if you're the most restrained minimalist out there, no room is complete without some wall art. While bare walls do have their place, a framed print, photograph, or painted canvas can create a wonderful focal point to tie a room together. 

The problem arises, however, when you have to decide precisely where to hang said art. Whether you're decorating the space above the sofa for some stylish living room wall art or adding a curated gallery wall to a hallway, the perfect spot might seem obvious. That's until you actually add your picture hook and hang your chosen artwork, only for it to look off-balance at the wrong height. 

You can spend hours measuring the perfect center point or tracing your collection of prints for the perfect arrangement, but we'd all just like a quick-fix solution that promises perfect results. Enter - the 57-inch picture hanging hack, a simple rule to live by that guarantees perfectly placed wall art every time. Here's what you need to know.

What is the 57-inch rule?

(Image credit: Chris Snook. Design by Laura Stephens)

When it comes to how to hang a picture, the 57-inch rule is considered the golden rule by professionals. Put simply, the idea is to have the center of the photo at 57 inches from the floor to reflect the standard eye height of the average person, and it's the standard principle followed by art galleries and museums.

'Hanging prints on walls can often feel like guesswork,' says Annica Wallin, Executive Creative Director at wall art brand, Desenio. 'Applying the "57-inch rule" is an excellent standard to follow when positioning wall art, as it’s commonly known as the most accurate height for hanging prints from the floor.'

So, how do you perfect this picture-hanging technique? 'Simply measure 57 inches from the floor and make a mark on the wall in the center of where the

frame will be positioned,' explains Annica. 'This doesn’t fit for every room and every print, however, you can change the height by a couple of inches either way, based on the wall dimensions.' Of course, you'll need to factor in where exactly the hook is on the back of your frame or canvas if you want to be extra precise. To do this, be sure the measure how far the hook lies from the center, and adjust your marking on the wall as necessary. 

If you want to embrace a whole host of wall art trends with multiple prints on one wall, choose a primary picture to base the rest of your collection around. Follow the 57-inch rule and build around it, clustering smaller artworks around the outside for a balanced feel. 

Why does the 57 inch rule work so well? 

(Image credit: Onward Group. CoCollect. Artist: William Quinn)

As mentioned, the idea behind this hack is that the piece of artwork hangs at eye level. It will also put the perfect amount of space between the ceiling, the floor, and any surrounding furniture, according to experts. 

'There are some exceptions to this rule, however, such as when arranging a gallery wall, notes Annica. 'A great way to begin a gallery wall is by selecting a print to hang using the 57-inch rule, as a central focal point of the feature wall, and then build outwards.'

Annica says that thinking of the gallery wall as one large picture can help you envisage each piece as part of a whole, which helps to ensure all of the images work well together. 'Including a range of sizes will help to make the wall more visually appealing,' she adds. 

That's all there is to it! With a tape measure, a sharp eye, and a beautiful piece of artwork, you'll have added a beautiful focal point to your wall for the perfect finishing touch. 

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