Hanging pictures correctly is one of those skills that seems trivial but makes an enormous difference to how a room looks and feels. The right height, the right spacing, the right wall-fixing for the wall type — getting these wrong is why art prints end up crooked, too high, or falling off the wall.
Here is a practical guide to hanging pictures in UK homes — covering height, spacing, gallery walls, wall types, and the specific fixings that work in British plaster and plasterboard walls.
The Golden Rule: Eye Level
The most fundamental rule of picture hanging: the centre of the artwork should be at eye level — roughly 145–152cm from the floor. This is the height used by professional galleries and museums, and it's the height that feels most natural when viewing a picture from a normal standing position.
A common mistake is hanging pictures too high — at cornice level or above door frames. This happens naturally when hanging from a standing position, because the picture needs to clear your head. Always measure and mark the wall rather than eyeballing height.
Single Pictures: Step by Step
- Mark the centre point at 145–152cm from the floor
- Measure the frame height and divide by two — this gives you the distance from the hanging point to the centre
- Find the hook or wire position on the back of the frame (hold it at the hanging point and measure down to the hook)
- Calculate where the nail/hook goes: Centre height + hook-to-centre distance = hook nail position
- Mark and drill/hammer, then hang
Gallery Walls: Spacing and Layout
For a gallery wall of multiple prints:
- Lay the prints out on the floor first in the arrangement you plan
- Maintain consistent spacing: 5–10cm between frames
- The centre of the overall grouping should sit at eye level (not the centre of any individual print)
- Use paper templates taped to the wall to plan placement before drilling
- Start with the largest piece, then work outward
Wall Types and Fixings in UK Homes
Solid Brick and Stone Walls
Common in older UK homes. Use a masonry drill bit and wall plugs with screws. Avoid hammer-only picture hooks — they won't penetrate properly. A 6mm or 8mm wall plug with a No.6 screw is standard for picture hanging on solid walls.
Plasterboard (Stud Wall)
Common in modern UK homes and extensions. Use plasterboard anchors (hollow wall anchors) — standard screws and nails will pull through without support. For lighter prints, self-drilling plasterboard plugs work well. For heavier canvas prints, locate a stud and screw into it.
Lathe and Plaster (Victorian and Edwardian Walls)
The most common wall type in older UK terraces. Standard picture hooks and fine nails work reasonably well on this surface. Avoid over-tightening screws, which can crack the plaster. For heavier pieces, locate a lath (horizontal timber strip) behind the plaster and screw into it.
Wild Thread Print Formats and Weight
Wild Thread framed prints include a hanging point on the back (D-ring or picture hook wire) and are ready to hang immediately. All framed prints come with their hanging point pre-attached. The weight varies by size — A4 framed prints are light enough for a single standard picture hook; A2 framed prints are heavier and benefit from two fixing points or a solid wall anchor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high should I hang a picture on the wall UK?
The centre of the artwork should be at approximately 145–152cm from the floor — standard eye level for a UK adult. This is the height used by professional galleries. The most common mistake is hanging pictures too high. Measure and mark rather than estimating by eye.
What is the best wall fixing for pictures in a UK home?
For solid brick or stone walls: masonry drill bit + wall plug + screw. For plasterboard: plasterboard anchors or self-drilling plugs. For lathe and plaster: standard picture hooks with fine pin nails. Match the fixing to the wall type — the wrong fixing is the most common cause of pictures falling.
How do I hang a gallery wall evenly?
Plan on the floor first. Cut paper templates to each print size. Tape the templates to the wall. Adjust until happy with the arrangement, maintaining 5–10cm gaps between frames. Mark through the template for the hook position, remove template, fix hook. This avoids multiple holes from guessing.
Do Wild Thread framed prints come with hanging fixings?
Yes. Wild Thread framed prints arrive with a hanging point (D-ring or wire) pre-attached on the back, ready to hang immediately. All framed prints also come in protective packaging suitable for gifting.