How to Center a Painting on the Wall

Find the center of the wall by measuring from the left edge to the right edge with the tape measure. Divide the distance by two and measure this distance from the left edge toward the center of the wall. Make a mark at roughly eye level at the center point of the wall.

Measure 60 inches up from the floor at the center point of the wall and make a small mark. According to Danny Lipford, the center of the painting should sit at about 60 inches above the floor. If you will place a couch beneath the painting, make sure the painting will be about 3 to 6 inches above the top of the couch. If you will place a table beneath the painting, make sure the painting will be about 4 to 8 inches above the table.

Place the painting on the wall at the center point and at the proper height. While a helper holds the painting in place, rest the level on the top of the painting, centered between the left and right sides. Watch the bubble in the level while adjusting the painting to make it level on the wall. Stop adjusting the painting when the bubble in the level sits perfectly between the two lines indicating that the painting is level.

Hold the painting in place and affix a strip of painter's tape on the wall along the top of the painting. Make pencil marks to mark the entire top edge of the painting and the left and right corners. Remove the painting and set it aside.

Measure the distance between the left and right corner marks you made. Divide the distance by two--this is the center of the painting. Make a mark at this spot on the painter's tape.

Turn the painting over--you should see a wire for hanging the painting. Determine whether you want to hang the painting by one hanging point or two hanging points. If you want to hang it by one hanging point, pull the wire center of the wire up toward the top edge of the painting to make it taut. With the wire as taut as possible, measure the distance between the wire and the top edge of the frame. This distance represents the space between the top edge of the painting and the hanging hardware. If you want to hang it by two hanging points, pull the wire straight up at the two hanging points and measure the distance.

Measure the hanging points from the center mark you made on the painter's tape and make either one pencil mark for one hanging point or two pencil marks for two hanging points based on the measurements you made on the back of the painting. Remove the painter's tape.

Install the hanging hardware into the wall. Use standard picture hooks for a lightweight painting. Use toggle bolts or special anchors for drywall if the painting is heavy and you are not hanging at studs.

Place the painting onto the hanging hardware to hang it.