The way you hang your art on the wall is not only a matter of visual aesthetics. It usually employs a fusion of science, psychology, and art preservation considerations, which work together to let your collection stand out and produce a stunning effect on the viewers. Proper hanging means that your art can be viewed comfortably while being fully protected from the risk of damage. To achieve all these outcomes, you need to use museum-standard art hanging recommendations and guidelines laid out below.

Why Resort to Museum-Standard Art Hanging?

The main goal of top museums and galleries is to maximize user engagement while safeguarding their property and cultural heritage. That’s why using museum-standard art hanging practices is always a safe bet for art owners who are conscious about their belongings. These guidelines condense decades of experience and curatorial practice, and following them is a professional approach used in all specialized companies dealing with art.

Art Hanging Tips from Museums

Let’s take a closer look at how museums recommend hanging art. The main aspects they advise considering are as follows:

• Eye-level placement of art. Most museums comply with the centerline height of 57-60 inches, which is within the range of the average human eye level. This way, museum visitors can engage with artwork on the walls without straining their necks. However, some types of art require adjustments; for instance, the Metropolitan Museum of Art places the works by Old Masters slightly higher than the human eye level to emphasize the grandeur of these exclusive masterpieces.
• Spacing and grouping. Artwork grouping transforms a museum wall into a coherent art narrative. In this regard, museums recommend an ideal gap range between art objects of 3 to 6 inches, allowing each piece to “breathe” and not overlap with other artworks in the viewers’ perception.
• Lighting. Art objects are hung away from direct sunlight, with protective UV-filtering glass used to protect artwork from accidental damage. The Met uses low light levels for sensitive works (e.g., textiles and paper-based art) and applies metal screens for light diffusion.
• Hardware and security. Artwork should be hung safely, which often depends on the hardware used. Museums recommend D-rings attached to picture hooks and wires from rails to prevent tilting and improve weight distribution.

We at Fine Art Shippers also follow these guidelines when approaching an art installation project. You can be sure about the museum-grade safety and professionalism of art hanging services when working with our seasoned, qualified art handlers.