Written by Sylvia Levy, founder of Tree Art Studio (Miami), architect and artist, teaching art for 30 years.
Learning how to hang acrylic wall art is the easiest part of owning it. Because every Tree Art Store piece is designed as acrylic wall art first, the frame and the hanging hardware come built into the kit. There is no separate framing, no glue, and for most walls no drill.
Quick answer: to hang acrylic wall art, wipe the wall clean, press on the included adhesive hooks or tap in the supplied hardware, use a level, and set the piece with its center about 57 to 60 inches from the floor. Because the frame and hooks come in the box, most pieces hang in a few minutes.
If you have not assembled yours yet, start with the guide to choosing an acrylic wall art puzzle, then come back here to hang it.
What comes in the box for hanging
Every acrylic wall art piece ships ready to display. Inside the box you get the integrated frame the puzzle locks into, a set of adhesive wall hooks, and mounting hardware for a nail or hook if you prefer one. The finished piece is light, so the included adhesive hooks hold it on most walls without a single hole. That is the whole reason I build the frame into the product, so the making and the hanging are one continuous thing.
How to hang acrylic wall art, step by step
Once the last piece is set and the frame is closed, here is the full process:
- Pick the spot. Choose a wall where the light will move across the piece during the day. Acrylic catches and holds color, so a wall with some natural light will make the art glow.
- Mark the center. Decide where the middle of the piece should sit, then measure out from there so the art lands where you want it.
- Clean the wall. Wipe the spot with a dry cloth so the surface is clean and dust free. A clean wall is what makes the adhesive hold.
- Place the hooks. Press the adhesive hooks to the wall, or tap in a nail if you are using the hardware. Use a level, or a level app on your phone, to keep them straight.
- Hang and adjust. Set the piece on the hooks and step back. Small shifts are easy now, so nudge it until it reads level to your eye, which matters more than the tape measure.
That is it. Most people hang a finished piece the same afternoon they complete it.
How high should you hang wall art?
The gallery standard is to hang art so its center sits about 57 to 60 inches from the floor, which is roughly eye level for most people. Two adjustments worth making: over a sofa or a console, drop the piece so the bottom edge sits 6 to 10 inches above the furniture so the two read as a pair. Over a desk or a bed, you can go a little lower, since you will usually see it while seated.
How to hang acrylic wall art without nails
The included adhesive hooks are made for exactly this, so on most walls you never touch a drill. Here is how each surface behaves:
- Drywall. The easiest case. Adhesive hooks hold the piece with no drilling, and a small nail or hook works too if you prefer.
- Plaster or brick. Adhesive hooks work on smooth plaster. On rough brick, use the included hardware with a masonry hook rather than adhesive.
- Rental walls. Adhesive hooks are the whole point here. They hold the piece and peel off later without patching a hole, so the art moves with you.
- Kitchen or bathroom. Acrylic handles humidity well, so these rooms are fine. Make sure the wall is dry and grease free before pressing the adhesive hooks.
Placement by shape
The shape of the piece changes where it hangs best:
- Round pieces (180 pieces, 14 inch) work as a standalone focal point, on a feature wall or in a foyer where the round shape stands on its own. Anemone Flow and Mediterranean Balcony both read well on their own.
- Square pieces (225 pieces, 14 by 14 inch) hang where you would put a traditional framed print, above a sofa or in a gallery wall. Good Vibes Only and Rose Garden anchor a wall nicely.
- Hexagonal pieces (150 pieces, 14 by 14 inch) suit design-forward spaces and group beautifully in a honeycomb arrangement. Abstract Harmony is the design-forward pick.
Hanging a group of pieces
Two or three pieces together make a stronger statement than one. For squares, hang them in a row or a grid with an even gap of about 2 to 3 inches between frames. For hexagons, cluster them edge to edge in a honeycomb so the shapes lock visually, for example Creation Rhythm, Prism Light, and Hexillusion together. Lay the arrangement on the floor first, adjust it there, then copy it to the wall.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Hanging too high. The most common error. Center at 57 to 60 inches, not up near the ceiling.
- Skipping the wall wipe. Adhesive hooks need a clean, dry, grease free surface. Dust is the main reason a hook lets go.
- Using glass cleaner. Ammonia based sprays dull acrylic over time. Use a soft cloth with mild soap instead.
- Eyeballing a group. Lay multiples on the floor and set the spacing before anything touches the wall.
Keeping it looking good
Acrylic wall art is simple to care for. Dust it with a soft, dry microfiber cloth. For fingerprints, use a slightly damp cloth with a drop of mild dish soap, then dry it. Avoid ammonia based glass cleaners and abrasive pads, since those can dull the acrylic surface over time. Kept this way, the color stays vivid for years.
Frequently asked questions
How do you hang acrylic wall art without nails?
Every Tree Art Store piece includes adhesive wall hooks. Press them to a clean, dry wall, then set the piece on them. The finished art is light enough that most walls hold it with no nails and no drilling.
How high should I hang it?
Center the piece about 57 to 60 inches from the floor for a standalone wall, or 6 to 10 inches above a sofa or console so the two read together.
How do I hang a group of pieces so they stay level?
Lay the arrangement on the floor first and set the spacing, about 2 to 3 inches between square frames or edge to edge for hexagons. Then copy that layout to the wall using a level.
Do I need a drill or special tools?
Usually not. The included adhesive hooks handle most walls. Mounting hardware for a nail or hook is also in the box if you prefer a permanent fixing.
Will the adhesive hooks damage my wall?
No. They are made to peel off cleanly, which makes them ideal for rentals. The piece moves with you without patching a hole.
Can I hang acrylic wall art in a kitchen or bathroom?
Yes. Acrylic handles humidity well. Just make sure the wall is dry and grease free before pressing the adhesive hooks.
How do I clean acrylic wall art?
Dust with a soft dry microfiber cloth, and for fingerprints use a damp cloth with a drop of mild dish soap. Avoid ammonia based cleaners and abrasive pads.
That is everything you need to hang a finished piece with confidence. Browse the full acrylic wall art collection to find the design for your wall, or read more about the idea in acrylic wall art, a modern take on the jigsaw. Free shipping on all US orders.
Sylvia Levy, Founder, Tree Art Studio.
