The Best Height to Hang Your Family Portrait | Phoenix Family Photographer

Your family portrait is a treasure to be displayed.  If you have purchased a large wall portrait, odds are, you want to hang it in a prominent area of your home.

Once you’ve selected the blank wall, the next question will inevitably be: how high do I hang this?

57″ On Center

Have you ever strolled through a gallery or museum and admired the art?  Did you notice that each piece of art was a different size, but they all seemed to have a harmonious feel?  Do you know why?  It is most likely because the museum followed the 57″ on center rule.

It is a very simple, and easy to use tool when hanging art, family portraits and posters around your home.  Keep each piece 57″ on center.  Confused?  “On center” means the middle of the art piece.  Following this rule will keep the middle of your art always at 57″ and your home will have the harmonious feeling of a gallery or museum.

Why 57″? Interestingly, that height is the average eye-level for most people.  Of course, if you are hanging your art above a piece of furniture, you might need to adjust this height accordingly.

Interested in utilizing the 57″ On Center rule around your home?  Follow these instructions to help you through the process.

How to Hang 57″ On Center

– Measure from the floor and lightly mark 57″ on the wall

– Measure the height of your art piece and divide by 2 (giving you the center)

– Hold the wire tight, as if it were hanging, and measure the distance from the top of the frame to the top of the wire.

– Subtract the measurement of your tightened wire from the center measurement of your art piece.  This will give you the placement of your hook or nail.

– Lightly mark above the 57″ mark with the hook measurement

Example:

– Our wall portrait is 30″ tall so the center is 15″

– The hanging wire is 3″ from the top of the frame when held taught

– 15″ – 3″ = 12″

– Lightly mark 12″ above the initial 57″ mark

Good luck!

Click here for tips on choosing the appropriate size wall portrait for your home.