Where to Hang Wall Art?

Where to Hang Wall Art: Best Spots and Tips for Every Room

Trying to find the perfect places to hang wall art in your home? Our guide covers ideal locations for every room, from living rooms to bathrooms, and provides tips on height, balance, and grouping to help you decide where to hang wall art and make your art shine.

Key Takeaways

• Hang art at the right height for optimal visibility; use 57-60 inches for standard walls and 4-6 inches above furniture for balance.
• Transform spaces like living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms by placing art strategically to create focal points and enhance the atmosphere.
• Explore creative display alternatives, such as leaning artwork, using picture ledges, or decorative clips for a flexible and dynamic art arrangement.

Ideal Heights for Hanging Art

When it comes to hanging art, height is everything. The right height ensures your artwork is easily viewable and harmonizes with your room's decor. A widely recognized standard is positioning the center of the artwork at 57 inches from the ground, which aligns with the average eye level. This guideline helps create a balanced look that feels natural and engaging, following the eye-level rule.

But what about other scenarios, such as above furniture or on tall walls? Let's dive into the specifics.

Standard walls

On standard walls, hanging pictures at 60 inches from the floor is a good option. This height suits standing areas like hallways and kitchens, aligning the artwork with most viewers' eye level.

This guideline optimizes visual engagement, making your art the focal point of the wall space.

If you’re drawn to contrast, form, and timeless visual storytelling, you’ll want to explore my Black and White Photography Collection—proof that color isn’t always necessary to make an impact.

Above furniture

Above furniture, maintain balance by placing art 4-6 inches above the furniture's top. The artwork should span about two-thirds of the furniture's width for a cohesive look.

This creates a cohesive look and ensures the art complements rather than overwhelms the painting furniture.

Tall walls

Tall walls present a unique challenge but also an opportunity to create a stunning display on one wall. Start by positioning the lowest piece of artwork at eye level and staggering the rest at different heights to maintain visual interest.

Large frames or a series of 2-4 pictures effectively fill expansive wall spaces, reducing white space and filling visual impact with picture frames.

Key Spots to Display Wall Art

Choosing the right spots for art can transform ordinary rooms into captivating spaces. Art creates focal points, enhances decor, and adds personality to a space. Living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms each offer unique opportunities for artwork.

Need help getting your artwork on the wall just right? I’ve written a practical guide that covers it all—check out How to Hang Wall Art for real-world tips that actually work.

Here's how to maximize your wall space.

Living room

The living room is often the heart of the home, making it an ideal place for impactful art. Here are some ways to enhance the decor with art:

• Use larger frames when leaning on grand sideboards or the floor to improve the visual impact.
• Place art above sofas or sideboards to establish focal points.
• Use art to draw the eye and spark conversation.

Dining room

In the dining room, position the art lower on the wall for optimal enjoyment while seated around the dining table. A height of around 145 cm from the floor works well for seated areas where people sit.

Creating a gallery wall in the dining room enhances the dining experience and allows for visual enjoyment.

Bedroom

The space above the bed is optimal for hanging artwork that promotes a soothing atmosphere. Above the bed, choose art that evokes tranquillity. Serene landscapes or gentle abstracts are ideal.

Select pieces that resonate with you and incorporate soothing colours to create a calm environment.

Creative Ideas for Unique Spaces

Expand your art beyond different spaces. Unique locations, such as entryways, staircases, bathrooms, and hallways, can significantly enhance a room's character and charm.

These unconventional spots can become focal points, adding personality and interest to your house.

From delicate petals to bold seasonal color, the Flora Photography Collection brings nature’s quiet beauty into any room with grace and soul.

Staircase walls

Staircase walls offer a dynamic canvas for hanging art. Center each piece on a diagonal line marked from every second or third step for balance.

This method creates a visually engaging display that enhances the staircase's architectural features.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms may not be the first place you think of for hanging art, but they can benefit greatly from a splash of creativity. In bathrooms, vibrant colours or whimsical painted designs can create a cheerful atmosphere.

This unexpected placement can add a fascinating, delightful surprise to your decor.

Hallways

Transform long hallways into engaging mini-galleries with a series of artworks. Hanging art at eye level ensures optimal visual engagement through effective placement of the artwork.

Consider curating a cohesive series of artworks in various styles, colours, and frames to enhance the hallway's ambiance.

There’s something magnetic about city streets after dark—dive into the glow and grit inside my Night City Photography Collection.

Tips for Grouping Art Pieces

Grouping art pieces can create a dramatic focal point and enhance the visual appeal of a room. A well-designed gallery wall or grouped display can transform a blank wall into a stunning collection of art, making each piece stand out.

Here are some tips to help you create a cohesive and visually appealing arrangement.

Planning your layout

Plan a gallery wall by laying everything out on the floor or using Painter's tape on the wall. Keep spaces between pieces relatively even for a cohesive look, allowing for size variations.

Approximately three inches of space between a small piece prevents a crowded look.

Balancing and spacing

Treat grouped art as a single unit to maintain visual balance and proportion, centred in the overall design, following simple rules.

Consider the size, style, and arrangement of each large piece and the large pieces to create a harmonious display that enhances the overall interior design, as a designer would.

Mixing frames and styles

Mixing frame styles and styled artwork themes can create a unique, personal artist gallery wall with a fun sense of cohesion through styling.

Before hanging art, lay out the pieces on the floor or use Painter's tape to visualize arrangements and ensure a balanced display.

Alternatives to Hanging Art

If traditional hanging methods don't suit you, consider exploring creative alternatives for displaying art, such as using hanging wire and hanging pieces. This approach ensures that your art hangs beautifully in any space, allowing you to display it uniquely.

Leaning artwork, using picture ledges, and clipboards or clips offer flexibility and ease of change, allowing you to refresh your decor effortlessly and bring new life to your space.

Leaning artwork

Leaning framed prints against walls creates a casual, stylish display, offering a relaxed approach to showcasing art in frames. This method gives a curated, personalized feel to the decor and print.

Ensure the leaning artworks are stable and consider the overall balance in the surrounding space to achieve harmony, using a spirit level.

When you want your walls to breathe—really breathe—explore the Nature Photography Collection. It’s my tribute to the quiet, grounding power of the outdoors.

Using picture ledges

Picture ledges offer a practical solution for displaying various art pieces, with several benefits:

• They make it simple to change arrangements.
• They allow for easy art swaps without the need for nails.
• They enhance display flexibility.
• They add style to your decor.

Clipboards and clips

Clipboards offer a dynamic and functional way to display art, allowing for easy decor changes. Decorative clips also serve as a stylish option, contributing to a casual, artistic atmosphere.

Choosing the Right Frames

Selecting the right frames enhances the beauty of your art and complements your room's decor. Frames should be proportionate to the room size and furniture for balance.

Incorporate various frame styles to add visual interest while maintaining overall harmony.

Large frames for spacious rooms

In large areas, oversized frames create a significant visual impact and effectively fill the wall. Well-placed large frames enhance the space's grandeur.

Small frames for compact areas

In confined spaces, smaller frames prevent the area from being overwhelmed. Small or multi-photo frames, including a small picture option, are ideal for narrow spaces, as they maintain balance without overcrowding.

Matching frames to decor

Frames should complement the overall decor and colour scheme in the room. Select frames that complement the existing furniture style and colour palette for a harmonious look.

Natural wood frames work well in bedrooms and bathrooms, adding a warm and cohesive look.

Summary

By now, you should have a solid understanding of how to position and display your wall art to maximize its impact. From ideal heights and key spots to creative ideas for unique spaces, thoughtful artwork placement can transform any room. Remember, the right frames and grouping techniques can enhance your decor, making your home feel more cohesive and inviting. So go ahead and start curating your perfect gallery wall; let your personality shine through your art!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal height for hanging art on a standard wall?

The ideal height for hanging art is approximately 60 inches from the floor, which aligns with the average person's eye level for an optimal viewing experience. This way, your art will be readily appreciated by everyone!

How high should I hang art above a piece of furniture?

Aim to hang your art about 4-6 inches above your furniture, and try to keep it around two-thirds of the furniture's width for a balanced appearance. This will create a lovely visual connection!

What are some creative ideas for hanging art in unique spaces?

You can truly bring your unique spaces to life by hanging art in unexpected areas, such as entryways, staircases, and even bathrooms. These spots can add a lot of character to your home!

How can I create a cohesive gallery wall?

To create a cohesive gallery wall, plan your layout by arranging the pieces on the floor or using Painter's tape to map them out on the wall. Mixing different frame styles while keeping even spacing between the pieces can give your gallery a unique but harmonious vibe.

What are some alternatives to hanging art traditionally?

Leaning artwork, using picture ledges, or displaying pieces on clipboards are fantastic alternatives to traditional hanging, allowing you to switch things up easily whenever you like.