How to Hang a Canvas on the Wall

How to Hang a Canvas on the Wall: Canvas Art & Painting Guide

Have you ever wanted to hang a canvas print on your wall but didn't know where or how to start? Don't worry, we've all been there. Hanging a canvas may seem difficult, but it's worth the effort because, when done right, you can create a beautiful focal point in any room of your home. Whether you want to hang a large piece of canvas art or something small and refined, this guide will show you how!

In this article, we'll give you tips and tricks for hanging a canvas print with confidence. You'll learn everything from measuring and marking your wall accurately to choosing the right materials. So get ready and make yourself comfortable, because this canvas hanging project is going to be exciting!

How to hang a canvas print like a pro

how to hang a canvas like a pro

Here at Jessie's Home, you will find canvas art prints in various shapes and sizes, with a hanging kit included. In the kit, we provide everything you need to hang your canvas: a sawtooth hanging system, two screws, and a hook.

The way you hang a canvas on your wall will be the same, whether it is large or small. You need to consider the type of wall you plan to hang the frame on, because if it is brick or concrete, you may need to use a drill to make holes in the walls. Anchors may also be necessary for particularly large and heavy photos. However, for standard drywall, it is easy to attach the canvas, as we will see below.

Of course, your canvas looks beautiful when hung above the sofa, but you mustn't forget to ensure safety. That's why you should always make sure it is securely and professionally attached to the wall.

Prepare the equipment

hang a canvas equipement

The list includes:

  • Pencil
  • Hammer
  • Nails
  • Spirit level
  • Tape measure or ruler
  • Screws

Note that you may not need all of these tools, as it depends on the size of the frame.

Think about the location

You should not simply determine the location of the frame with the naked eye in order to hang your canvas correctly. A general rule of thumb when framing is to keep the center of the artwork at eye level, especially if you intend to hang the canvas above your sofa or bed. Leave at least 6 to 8 inches between the bottom of the canvas and the top of the furniture so that the view is sufficiently unobstructed. This will allow the painting to breathe enough so that it appears uncluttered and well placed.

The best way to find the right location is to follow the principles used by museums, namely the 145 cm rule:

  • First, measure the height of the frame accurately and divide it by 2 to find the center measurement.
  • Then add 145 cm to this figure.
  • This number gives you the recommended distance between the floor and the top of your canvas, ensuring that it is at eye level.
  • You can now measure this distance from the floor and mark this point with a pencil. You now know the recommended height for the top of your canvas.
  • If you are using nails or screws to hang your canvas, don't forget to take into account the thickness of the frame, for example, if your frame is 4 cm thick, you will need to place your nail 4 cm lower than your pencil mark.

Note: The reasoning behind this recommendation is that it corresponds to the average height of the human eye, allowing viewers to comfortably contemplate the artwork. However, it should be noted that this rule is not strict and can be modified depending on the height of the ceiling or the size of the artwork.

Step by step: How to hang a canvas using nails

A simple way to hang a canvas is to nail it to the wall. To do this, you will need (depending on the size of the painting) one or two nails, a hammer, a spirit level, and a pencil. Let's get started:

Step 1: Choose the right placement for your canvas

canvas placement wall

As mentioned above, note the optimal alignment of the canvas; find the position you prefer. It is sometimes helpful to have another person hold the canvas against the wall while you determine the best position from different angles in the room.

Step 2: Mark the height and spacing on the wall

Mark the desired height for the painting on the wall with a pencil. Don't forget to subtract the thickness of the frame. One mark is sufficient if you are hanging the painting with a single nail, but if you are hanging a large canvas, two nails are recommended for greater stability. If you need two nails, draw a line from the first mark using the spirit level to ensure it is straight. You can then use this line to position the mark for the second nail.

Step 3: Hammer in the nails at the correct angle

hang canvas hammer nails

Hammer the nails into the wall, you can use one or two. It is best to align the nails slightly upward. Depending on the thickness of the canvas, the nails should protrude about 2 cm from the wall.

Step 4: Attach the sawtooth hanger to the canvas

hang a canvas print on wall

Now attach the sawtooth hanging system to the back of the canvas and hang the canvas by placing the sawtooth hanging system on the nails.

Step 5: Hang the canvas and adjust for perfect alignment

hang a canvas alignment

Finally, you can align the canvas and enjoy your new decorative artwork. It's really easy to hang a canvas with nails!

You now have a comprehensive guide on how to hang a canvas for your first wall decoration. With these tips and tricks, you can hang canvases on your wall with confidence and create beautiful, personalized interior decor. Feel free to get creative and experiment with different techniques to find what works best for you and your space!

If you want more inspiration on choosing the perfect spot, check out our guide on where to hang wall art in a living room.

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