GUIDE
Hanging paintings properly
The centre of the picture goes 145 to 150 cm above the floor, measured to the middle of the painting and not to the hook.
The figure comes from museum practice and works just as well in homes, as long as you are standing in the room. Where people sit, it does not apply.
The key points from this guide at a glance.
The standard height
145 to 150 cm to the centre of the picture.
That is average eye level standing. Measure to the middle of the painting, not to the top edge and not to the hook.
Above the sofa
15 to 25 cm above the backrest, no higher.
Here the distance to the furniture applies, not the standard height. Larger gaps break the connection between painting and sofa.
Where people sit
Centre of the picture at 120 to 135 cm.
In dining rooms, waiting rooms and single offices, eye level is lower. Museum height looks too high there.
Hanging groups
The centre of the whole group at 145 cm, spacing 5 to 10 cm.
The group is treated as one object. Gaps under 5 cm look cramped, over 15 cm the group falls apart.
Finding the hook
Hook equals picture centre plus half the picture height minus the drop to the wire.
For a painting 80 cm high with 10 cm from the top edge to the wire: 145 + 40 − 10 = 175 cm.
In short
145 to 150 cm to the centre, and above furniture 20 cm above the edge.
I handle hanging in the Zurich region and Central Switzerland.
Situation · Picture centre above floor | Standing, free wall · 145–150 cm | Above a sofa · 20 cm above the backrest | Dining room, waiting room · 120–135 cm | Group · 145 cm to the group centre
More: Choose image size · Living room · Diptych · Guide
