Elena Rossi
Hanging a painting above your bed is a great way to display your favourite pieces of art or photographs. It is important to consider the height at which you hang your artwork, as you don't want it to look out of place or awkward. The height of your ceiling, the size of your headboard, and the width of your bed are all factors that will influence the placement of your artwork. You want to ensure that the painting is not too close to the ceiling, and that it is centred and scaled correctly in relation to the bed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Height from the top of the mattress to the underside of the painting | 27 to 35 inches (70 to 90 cm) |
| Height for women's beds | 27 to 31 inches (70 to 80 cm) |
| Height for beds with high headboards | 27 to 35 inches (70 to 90 cm) |
| Height when ceiling is 8 feet | No more than 31 inches (80 cm) |
| Distance between the top of the artwork and ceiling | 20 cm or 7.8 inches |
| Width of the artwork | Not wider than the headboard/bedhead |
| Number of artworks | One landscape artwork or two square artworks of the same size |
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What You'll Learn
The height of the ceiling impacts the placement of the painting
Secondly, the ceiling height influences the size of the painting. If the ceiling is 2.4-2.5 metres high, the recommended maximum height for the painting is 80 cm (31 inches). This ensures that the painting does not appear too large in relation to the wall.
Thirdly, the ceiling height can guide the number and orientation of the artworks. For instance, if the ceiling is high, two portrait-oriented artworks can be hung side-by-side. However, this is not ideal, and a landscape-oriented artwork or two square artworks are generally preferred.
The height at which paintings are hung above a bed should also consider factors such as the height of the bed and the headboard. A recommended height range for the bottom of the painting is 27 to 35 inches (70 to 90 cm) above the top of the mattress. This ensures that the artwork does not touch the head when sitting on the bed and maintains a balanced appearance in the room.
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The painting should be hung higher than head height
When hanging a painting above a bed, it is essential to consider the height to avoid an awkward or empty look on the wall. The general rule of thumb is to hang the painting higher than head height to avoid touching it when sitting on the bed.
For a standard ceiling height of 8 to 9 feet, the recommended height from the top of the mattress to the underside of the painting is 27 to 35 inches. This ensures that the artwork does not appear too large in relation to the wall. However, if the ceiling is higher than 8 feet, the maximum height of the painting can be increased accordingly.
When hanging a single painting, it is essential to consider the width of the artwork in relation to the bed. The artwork should not be wider than the headboard or bedhead, with the ideal width being approximately 3/4 the width of the headboard. Additionally, the bottom of the painting should be at least 7 inches from the top of the headboard to maintain a seamless look.
If you plan to hang multiple paintings above the bed, such as two square artworks of the same size side-by-side or a gallery wall, the bottom of the lowest painting should be 27 to 35 inches above the mattress. This ensures that the paintings do not overlap with the headboard and provides a balanced look to the room.
To determine the ideal height for hanging a painting above a bed, it is recommended to use painter's tape to map out the placement on the wall before committing to nail holes. This allows for easy adjustments and ensures that the painting is hung at the perfect height.
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The width of the artwork matters
When hanging artwork above a bed, the width of the artwork matters. A general rule of thumb is that the width of the artwork should never exceed that of the headboard or bedhead. The artwork should ideally be narrower than the headboard, with the empty walls on either side acting as negative space. This creates a sense of balance and ensures that the artwork does not overwhelm the space.
If you have a king-size bed or a bed with a particularly wide headboard, consider hanging multiple pieces of artwork side-by-side to match the width of the headboard. This can include hanging two square or landscape artworks of the same size, or a gallery wall with multiple pieces. This helps to maintain visual balance and ensures that the artwork does not look disproportionate to the bed.
The width of the artwork also affects the height at which it should be hung. As a general rule, the artwork should be hung so that its midpoint is between 57 and 60 inches from the floor. However, this may vary depending on the height of your ceiling and the size of your artwork. If you have high ceilings, leave a larger gap between the top of the artwork and the ceiling to maintain balance in the room.
Additionally, consider the distance between the artwork and the bed. The artwork should be hung so that there is a gap of at least 20 cm between it and the bed. This ensures that the artwork does not appear too close to the bed and avoids any issues with the artwork touching your head when sitting up in bed.
By considering the width of the artwork in relation to the bed and the surrounding space, you can create a visually appealing and balanced composition when hanging artwork above your bed.
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The number of artworks to be hung impacts the placement
The number of artworks you plan to hang above your bed will impact their placement. Hanging a single piece of artwork is simple enough, but when it comes to multiple pieces, you need to think of the collection as one unified piece of art.
If you are hanging two or three pictures above the bed, hang them so that the bottom of the lowest painting is 27 to 35 inches (70 to 90 cm) above the mattress. This way, it is easier to view the picture, and the bottom of the picture will not hit your head when you sit up in bed.
When hanging multiple artworks, it is best to avoid making the wall look busy by mismatching patterns and styles. You could put up a bunch of family portraits with matching frames or pick neutral paintings to fill the space. Try to keep about two inches between each picture to give the art space to “breathe”.
If you have a super-short headboard, consider slightly taller art to maintain the 58-62 inch guideline while keeping the art and headboard visually connected. The artwork should be approximately 3/4 the width of the headboard or wider to keep things looking proportional.
If you are hanging two artworks side by side, about 3 inches is a good place to start, but this depends on the size of the pieces.
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The size of the bed matters
If you have a king-size bed, consider using the artwork as a pseudo-headboard, with the painting wider than it is long. In this case, the artwork can be wider than the bedhead, creating a sense of proportion and balance.
The height of the bed also comes into play when determining the placement of the painting. For beds with a high headboard, the recommended height for hanging a picture is 27 to 35 inches (70 to 90 cm) above the top of the mattress. This ensures that the artwork doesn't overlap with the headboard and provides a visually pleasing composition.
For lower beds or beds without a headboard, the rule of thumb is to hang the artwork at a height that is comfortable for viewing when sitting up in bed. A good guideline is to position the painting so that its midpoint is between 57 and 60 inches from the floor, or at eye level when seated. This prevents the artwork from being too high or too low, creating a seamless look from the wall to the bed.
Additionally, consider the distance between the artwork and the ceiling. As a general rule, a gap of about 20 cm (7.8 inches) between the artwork and the ceiling is recommended. However, if you have high ceilings, this gap can be larger, while still maintaining a visually pleasing composition.
In summary, when hanging a painting above a bed, consider the size and height of the bed, ensuring that the artwork complements the width of the headboard and is hung at a height that is visually appealing and comfortable for viewing. By following these guidelines, you can create a well-balanced and stylish bedroom that showcases your favourite pieces of art.
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Frequently asked questions
The height at which you hang a painting above a bed depends on the height of the ceiling and the size of the painting. A good rule of thumb is to leave a gap of 20 cm between the top of the painting and the ceiling. If your ceiling is very high, you can hang a large painting higher up.
The height of the painting in relation to the bed is important. It should be hung so that the lower part of the painting is above your head when you sit on the bed at an angle and lean against the headboard. The bottom of the painting should be 27 to 35 inches (70 to 90 cm) above the top of the mattress.
The artwork you hang above your bed should be something you truly love. It should also be the right size and scale for the room and in relation to the bed. The width of the artwork is very important—it should never be wider than your headboard.
If you're hanging multiple pictures above a bed, treat the collection as one piece of art. The entire collection should not be hung too high or too low. The bottom of the lowest picture should be 27 to 35 inches (70 to 90 cm) above the mattress. Leave about two inches between each picture to give the art space to breathe.
Before hanging a painting above your bed, use painter's tape to map out where it will go. Take a step back and see how it looks, and adjust as needed. You can also take a picture to get a fresh perspective. If your bed has a headboard, the bottom of the painting should be about 4 to 12 inches above the top of the headboard.
