How to hang your canvas art for maximum effect

Where do you hang your canvas art to get the best out of it? Well obviously exactly where you hang your canvas art print is down to personal preference, but here are a few useful tips...

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Hang in Full View
   This sounds obvious, but always try to ensure that you have a full view of the canvas so that you can fully appreciate it. Ensure that your art has a good 'viewing area'. This means hanging the canvas print so that you are easily able to stand back and clearly take in the full image on the canvas.
   
   For example you should avoid hanging large canvas prints in narrow corridors, as you won't be able to stand far back enough to take in the full image properly (apart from at an angle). As a general rule of thumb, add the height and width of a print together, then ensure that you can stand at least that distance back from the wall on which you want to hang your print.
   
   For example if you have a large print, say 100cm by 100cm, then ideally you would need to be able to stand back at least 200cm (2 metres , approx 6ft 6") to view it properly. However a smaller print, say 40cm x 40cm, is much more suited to a narrow hallway, corridor or bathroom.
2. Make your Canvas Art the Centre of Attention
   Consider making your canvas art print the central, focal point of the room. For example in an entrance lobby or hallway place it somewhere that immediately grabs the attention of visitors as they enter your home. In a living room try hanging the canvas art above the fireplace or above the main sofa. In a bedroom, directly above the bed is always a great position for a canvas print.
   
   In small rooms consider placing the canvas print so that it is visible from outside the room through an open door, this maximises it's viewing area.
   
   Always try to avoid obscuring the view of your canvas print with opened doors, house plants or low hanging light fittings.
3. Get the Light Right
   Try to ensure that your canvas art is well lit. This means placing it so that there is sufficient light to view it at all times of the day. If possible try to avoid hanging on walls that are subject to strong sunlight, as this can create reflections and often the person viewing will cast a dark shadow over the print, making proper viewing difficult. Your canvas art will be wasted if it's hung in a dark or shadowy spot, so consider adding extra lighting if your chosen wall is dimly lit.
   
   Lighting from above gives the best results, so look at carefully angled ceiling downlighters or spotlights, or go for an individual picture light fitting placed directly above the canvas print.
4. Up a Bit, Left a Bit, Right a bit...
   Try to place the canvas artwork centrally within the available wall space, at eye level, and not too close to surrounding furniture, door frames or windows. Canvas art can look badly out of place if it's too small or too large in relation to the space on the wall. As a guide, try not to take up more than two thirds of the available wall width or wall height.
5. Get Creative!
   You can be creative with canvas artwork. Try hanging two canvases together as a pair (known as a diptych). Hanging three matching canvases together is known as a triptych. Using four small canvases of matching design and hanging them together to form a larger square can also make for an interesting display.
   
   Also, who says a canvas print actually needs to be hung on a wall? Large canvases can be simply leant against a wall rather than actually hung, whereas smaller canvases can be leant up on top of shelves, bookcases and fireplaces. Why not use an artists easel and stand your artwork in a corner?

Tips & Warnings

• Remember, it doesn't matter if you get the placement of your canvas art wrong, you can easily move it, so don't be frightened to experiment.