Design Dilemma: Hanging Art, Part II

Today’s design dilemma question is from Andy who asks, “How high should I hang artwork?” I’m asked this question a lot. I’ll get to the answer in a tic. But first I have to stick my neck out and bet that Andy’s wife/girlfriend thinks the art should be low and Andy likes things high. Am I right?

Hanging Art – A Gender-Based Dilemma?

This art-height dilemma seems to be one of those Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus (and are therefore always right) questions. (I added that last bit myself – can’t help if it’s true). But is this a sex-based issue or do gay men/women argue about this as well? If so, is it a power struggle thing? Perhaps it’s height-based and I’ve been fooled into thinking it’s gender because, typically, men are taller than their significant female other. This is obviously a philosophical question for Alain de Botton. But I welcome a hearty discussion from everyone.

The Final Answer!

You’ve waited patiently, so I’ll answer poor Andy’s question. Generally speaking, art should be hung at eye level. Are you laughing now? Before the fighting breaks out between Tall Tom and Shrunken Sarah, let’s just go for eye level based on an average person’s height of 5′ – 7′. That’s a bit of a mash-up between women and men.

Truthfully, you have to play around with it a little – but too high is bad. You can get away with too low a little more easily. And what I see most often done is hanging art too high. Here’s an example of what I mean.

How can Delores here enjoy her new Van Gogh when it’s hung too high? I didn’t add any furniture, but she’d want the painting to look connected to the room as a whole, not like it’s wandering in outer space. When hung at eye level, Delores can admire the brushwork in Starry Night.

For other tips on how to hang artwork, see my extensive post on the topic by following this link. And remember, if you’re in doubt, cut out rectangles of newspaper and play around with that on the wall until you get it just right.

Comments please!