Hanging wall art correctly takes 15 minutes and requires three tools: a measuring tape, a pencil, and a spirit level. The single most common mistake — hanging art too high — affects approximately 80% of domestic wall art installations, based on observations by interior designers across residential projects. The correct centre height for wall art in a room where viewers primarily stand is 157–165 cm from the floor; in rooms where viewers primarily sit (dining rooms, bedrooms viewed from the bed), 140–155 cm is correct. DeckArts Canadian maple decks include a complete mounting system with all necessary hardware in the package. This guide covers the full process for every room type and wall material.
DeckArts
Van Gogh — Starry Night Triptych
Every DeckArts deck includes a complete mounting system. The triptych format requires three anchor points at precisely the same height — this guide shows you how.
View this piece →The Single Most Important Rule: Hang Lower Than You Think
The most universal wall art hanging mistake is hanging too high. Most people hang art at eye level from a standing position while standing close to the wall — which places the centre of the art at approximately 170–180 cm, well above the correct position. The correct centre height for wall art in a room where viewers stand is 157–165 cm from the floor. This aligns with the average human eye level (approximately 152–160 cm) and with the universal museum standard: the centre of most museum-hung paintings is at 152–157 cm from the floor. The reason most people hang higher is psychological: when holding the art against the wall to judge position, the viewer's arms raise the piece 10–15 cm above where it will actually hang, and the brain registers this elevated position as correct. The solution is to mark the intended centre height on the wall with a pencil before touching the hardware.
Step-by-Step Guide to Hanging a DeckArts Deck
Step 1: Decide on the Centre Height
Choose the correct centre height based on the room and viewing context:
- Living room (viewers standing or seated on sofa): 160–165 cm from floor
- Hallway (viewers walking past): 160–165 cm from floor
- Bedroom (viewers seated or lying in bed): 145–155 cm from floor
- Dining room (viewers seated at table): 155–165 cm from floor (eye level from seated is ~10 cm lower than standing)
- Home office (viewers seated at desk): 130–145 cm from floor
- Above furniture (credenza, sofa): 15–20 cm above the top of the furniture
Step 2: Mark the Centre Point
Using a measuring tape, measure the chosen centre height from the floor and mark it with a pencil at the horizontal centre of the intended position. For a triptych, mark the horizontal centre of the full installation first, then calculate the position of each deck. A DeckArts single deck is 20 cm wide; a triptych with 8 cm between decks is 3 × 20 + 2 × 8 = 76 cm wide. The centre of the triptych is at 38 cm from the edge of the leftmost deck.
Step 3: Find the Wall Anchor Position
The DeckArts deck hangs from a single anchor point at the top of the deck. The mounting hardware included in the package specifies the distance from the top of the deck to the hanging point. Measure this distance from your marked centre point upward to find the anchor position. Mark with a pencil.
Step 4: Install the Wall Anchor
Wall material determines the anchor type:
- Plasterboard / drywall: Use the included plasterboard anchor (hollow wall anchor) if the anchor point does not align with a stud. If it does align with a stud, use the included screw directly into the stud. To find a stud: tap the wall — a hollow sound indicates no stud; a solid sound indicates a stud at that point. Most studs are 40–60 cm apart.
- Brick / masonry: Drill a pilot hole with a masonry bit at the marked point. Insert a wall plug. Drive the included screw into the plug. Use a spirit level across the top of the plug to check horizontal alignment before tightening fully.
- Concrete: Same as brick but use a hammer drill for the pilot hole. A standard cordless drill will not penetrate concrete reliably.
- Tile: Use a tile drill bit for the pilot hole. Do not apply pressure — let the drill bit do the work. Place masking tape over the tile surface first to prevent the drill from slipping.
Step 5: Hang the Deck and Check Level
Hang the deck on the wall anchor. Place a spirit level along the top edge of the deck. Adjust until level. For a triptych, hang the centre deck first, level it, then mark the anchor positions for the left and right decks using the centre deck as the reference. Use a spirit level across all three decks to confirm they are at the same height before securing the flanking decks.
Step 6: Check from Viewing Distance
Step back to the normal viewing distance for the room (2–3 metres for living rooms, 1–1.5 metres for bedrooms and offices, 60–80 cm for hallways) and assess the height and horizontal position. A piece that looked correct while standing beside the wall may appear too high or too low at viewing distance. Adjust if necessary before the anchor is fully loaded.
How to Hang Multiple Decks (Gallery Arrangement)
For a gallery arrangement of three to seven individual decks at the same height, use this process: mark a single horizontal line at the chosen centre height across the full width of the installation using a spirit level and pencil. All decks mount with their centres on this line. Mark each anchor position along the line, spacing the decks 5–10 cm apart. Install all anchors, then hang the decks from centre outward to ensure even spacing. For a five-deck gallery at 5 cm between decks: total width = 5 × 20 + 4 × 5 = 120 cm. Mark the full 120 cm range on the wall and divide it evenly.
Hanging on Exposed Brick
Exposed brick requires drilling into the mortar joint between bricks — not into the brick face itself. Brick face can crack under drill pressure; mortar joint is softer and more forgiving. Use a masonry drill bit at low speed with gentle pressure. The mortar joint between standard bricks is approximately 10 mm wide — sufficient for a 6 mm wall plug and screw. The DeckArts deck has no visible frame; the brick texture is visible around the deck edges, emphasising the material contrast between raw architecture and printed maple. For full context on brick wall installations, see the DeckArts article on industrial loft wall art.
Height Reference Table
| Room / context | Viewer position | Centre height from floor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living room | Standing / seated on sofa | 160–165 cm | Museum standard |
| Hallway | Walking past | 160–165 cm | Slightly higher than seated rooms |
| Bedroom above bed | Lying / seated in bed | 145–155 cm | 15–20 cm above top of bed head |
| Home office at desk | Seated at desk | 130–145 cm | Eye level from seated is ~120–130 cm |
| Dining room | Seated at table | 155–165 cm | Slightly lower than living room standard |
| Bathroom above basin | Standing at basin | 155–165 cm | Clear of water splash zone |
| Above credenza / sideboard | Standing | 15–20 cm above furniture top | Furniture governs, not room standard |
FAQ
How high should wall art be hung?
The centre of wall art should be at 157–165 cm from the floor in rooms where viewers primarily stand — this is the international museum standard and aligns with average human eye level (approximately 152–160 cm). In rooms where viewers primarily sit (bedroom, home office, dining room), lower the centre to 130–155 cm to align with seated eye level. The most common mistake is hanging too high: mark the correct centre height on the wall with a pencil before installing hardware.
How do you hang a triptych at the same height?
Mark a single horizontal line at the chosen centre height across the full width of the triptych installation using a spirit level. Hang the centre deck first, levelled on this line. Mark the anchor positions for left and right decks using the centre deck as a reference, with 5–10 cm between decks. Install all three anchors along the same horizontal line, then hang left and right decks. Use a spirit level across all three decks to confirm even alignment before fully loading the anchors.
What hardware do I need to hang a DeckArts deck?
The DeckArts complete mounting system is included with every purchase: wall anchors suitable for plasterboard or masonry, screws, and mounting hooks. All hardware required for a single deck, diptych, or triptych installation is in the package. You will need a measuring tape, a pencil, a spirit level, and a drill (cordless for plasterboard and brick; hammer drill for concrete). No additional hardware purchase is required.
Shop DeckArts Wall Art
Every DeckArts deck includes a complete mounting system. Ships from Berlin with a 30-day return guarantee.
Browse the full DeckArts collection →
Article Summary
Hanging wall art correctly requires three tools (measuring tape, pencil, spirit level) and one critical rule: hang lower than instinct suggests. The correct centre height is 157–165 cm from floor for standing-viewer rooms (living room, hallway), 130–155 cm for seated-viewer rooms (bedroom at bed level, home office at desk). For a triptych, mark a single horizontal line at centre height, hang the centre deck first, then flank symmetrically with 5–10 cm between decks. Wall material determines anchor type: plasterboard anchor for drywall (or direct into stud), masonry drill + wall plug for brick and concrete, tile bit for tile. Mortar joint preferred over brick face for exposed brick installations. DeckArts complete mounting system included with every purchase, ships from Berlin from $140.
About the Author
Stanislav Arnautov is the founder of DeckArts and a creative director originally from Ukraine, now based in Berlin. With experience in branding, merchandise design and vector graphics, Stanislav connects classical art, skateboard culture and contemporary interior design through premium skateboard wall art.
0 commenti