The Art Gallery way to hang a picture

If you have had trouble like many of us have of hanging pictures at the right height for you and family, you might try this trick that art galleries around the world have used.

The center of whatever you’re hanging should always be 57 inches up from the floor. As in the center of the painting, not where the nail goes.

That way the whole thing is at eye level, and you don’t have to crane your neck to look at it. If you or your family is taller or shorter than average, it doesn’t HAVE to be 57 inches. It can be anywhere from 56 inches to 60, to fit your eye line.

Then you can get a rough idea of where the nail goes. If it’s half-an-inch too high or too low, it shouldn’t matter much. Or you can get all technical and do it the right way. Here’s how . . .

Measuring how tall the painting is, and divide by two. Then measure from the top of the frame to the picture wire when it’s tight.

Subtract that from the first number . . . add 57 inches . . . and THAT’S how high off the floor the nail needs to be.

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