How To Hang Gallery Wall Straight

Visiting an art gallery is one of the most exhilarating events that you can expect to experience. The visually stunning vases, paintings, photographs, and historical artifacts can initially overwhelm you. Then, your eyes focus on the center of the first wall you pass. After that, you spend a few hours absorbing the awe-inspiring beauty and often time conversation-starting art in front of you.

One thought that might not come into your mind is, “How did they come up with the presentation for the artwork.?

Art galleries display their collections using sophisticated picture-hanging systems that ensure a presentation of symmetry and uniformity. Once installed, picture hanging systems present artwork that a gallery has hung straight. How do you achieve a straight presentation on one or more walls for a home gallery with just a few pictures?

The answer involves more of an old-school approach to hanging a gallery wall.

Plan Ahead

Before you hang the first picture, you should choose the art pieces you want to hang. At this stage of the project, you should not be concerned about the arrangement, just the selections of the paintings, photographs, and other types of art that you want to display. One of the most effective strategies for planning a gallery wall is to decide on a theme for your project. For example, if you want to convey a tropical theme for your gallery wall, choose pieces of art that conjure up images of watching the sunset from a perch on a tropical island.

Arrangements By Trial and Error

After selecting the artwork you want to display, create several different arrangements to provide insight into the best presentation for your pictures. Trace around the perimeter of each picture, and then cut the craft paper along the line to produce a replica of each picture. Attach the largest pieces of craft paper six feet above the floor at the center of the gallery wall. Surround the largest pieces of craft paper with smaller pieces as you move away from the center of the gallery wall.

Use the Right Tool

When the time comes to hang individual paintings, photographs, and other types of artwork, the goal should be to create a presentation in which each art piece hangs straight. To accomplish this presentation goal, use the same kind of level a carpenter uses to achieve a straight cut. Once you find the straight position for the level, ask the person working with you to attach a piece of painter’s tape across where the level has achieved a straight line.

Make marks through the painter’s tape where you plan to add the nails or screws that support hooks or a wire. Most pictures require at least two objects to secure a straight line, but you should consider adding more to enhance the stability of each piece of art.

Spacing Matters

Although one of the goals of your project is to achieve a straight presentation of each picture, you also should attempt to achieve visual balance by properly spacing each piece of art. Spacing involves two factors: Determining how much space to create between pictures and ensuring the spacing remains consistent throughout the art presentation.

You also want to achieve visual balance my matching art pieces that present similar colors and designs.

Contact Walker Display for Support

For nearly 60 years, Walker Display has helped clients worldwide find the right picture-hanging system for their public or private venue. Our clients include Empathy Dreams Photography, Ryan Tischer Photography, and Zander Photography, LLC.

Contact Walker Display by submitting the short form to learn more about hanging a straight gallery wall.