How to Arrange Artwork

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Artwork is a great way to add personality to a room, but deciding how and where to hang it can be stressful. Take a look at some of our tips. With a little know-how, you can create a gallery in your own home in no time.

A grouping of smaller artwork is a great choice for narrow walls. Additionally, this set of nine prints hung in a tall vertical arrangement furthers the sense of height in the room.

These two stacked architectural pieces add dimension and visual weight to the room. Another thing to consider is scale. When you’re hanging artwork above a sofa, sideboard or headboard, as is the case here, ensure it’s at least two-thirds the size of the furniture.

Create your own gallery wall. Start with a single piece – or a matching pair of dominant prints as we did here – and radiate outward with art work of varying shapes and sizes. Incorporating just one piece that’s hung at a diagonal gives the collection visual interest.

Our grouping practically frames the TV, inviting it to become a part of the gallery. The symmetry of the wall art is calming while the strong horizontal line elongates, or widens, the narrow wall.

Two substantial mirrors hung one above the other is a great way to fill vertical space while filling the room with light.

When hanging different types of artwork together, try to find a common theme, such as similar frames, colors or subject matter. Here, a nautical theme works really well, especially set against a blue wall.

Four framed pieces hung in a grid will read as one larger piece, so this arrangement works well over a fireplace. The three plaques on the right throw off the symmetry ever so slightly in a pleasingly unexpected way.

How to Decorate Team

We enjoy spending days interacting with How to Decorate readers. From answering Design Dilemmas to writing How To articles and working with guest designers, our passion is to provide informative and accurate resources to help people solve their design problems.

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  1. Reply

    Gail

    February 26, 2023

    I can’t see the examples

    • Reply

      Kelley Bostian

      March 7, 2023

      Thanks for bringing this to our attention! We’ve included this blog in our update to-do list, so check back soon for a better blog with supporting pictures to inspire your decorating journey.
      Happy Decorating,
      Kelley

  2. Reply

    Vanessa

    September 16, 2020

    I have a 19 foot long wall. I want to hang 3 24×36 canvas nature prints. How far apart should they be and should I hang something else on the sides? I originally hung 4 24x 36 about 20 inches apart but it looked like a museum. Please advise if possible. Thank you.

    • Reply

      Abbey Nolte

      January 22, 2021

      Vanessa,
      It’s hard to make a suggestion without seeing a photo, but typically prints should not be hung more than 6” apart. Usually 3-4” looks best. Consider hanging the 4 prints together two on top of two instead of all side by side.
      Hope that helps!

  3. Reply

    Ellie Mae

    March 23, 2017

    How would you hang a 12X 16 framed piece that is on the wall behind the back door? Door would not hit the frame!

    • Reply

      Caroline McDonald

      April 19, 2017

      Ellie Mae,
      Why not! Every space needs some artwork, even your back door, especially if you say the door won’t hit the wall. We say go for it!

  4. Reply

    Judy DeMarco

    April 13, 2016

    I am trying to decorate a wall over a chesterfield beige linen sofa. The sofa is 88.5″ wide. I have a 24″ round mirror that has a white washed frame. I would like to hang the mirror along with a number of the Morris seabird framed prints. Could you suggest how many of the prints I should purchase, in which sizes and how I should arrange the prints with the mirror. Also, I intend to purchase the prints in the white washed frame to match the mirror, but I am open to another suggestion. The walls are painted in Benjamin Moore pale oak which is a warm grey (grey/beige) very light in color. Thank you for your help. P.S. I wish you had a store in New Jersey or NYC.

    • Reply

      Caroline @ How to Decorate

      April 14, 2016

      Judy,

      This sounds like it’ll be very pretty! What a great start you have already. It’s hard to say without seeing photos of your space. Would you consider submitting your room here with some images so our designers can get a better feel for the wall space and arrangement?

      Another option is to hang the Morris Seabirds (great choice, by the way!) in a grid over your sofa and to hang your round mirror elsewhere in the room.

  5. Reply

    Jason

    January 31, 2013

    Wow, these are some great fundamentals! I’ll have to use one of these above my mantel.

  6. Reply

    kate

    January 30, 2013

    How do I view the slideshow please? I am really interested in seeing the examples you reference…Thanks – Kate

    • Reply

      Karen

      January 31, 2013

      Kate, We had a glitch in our software. It should be fixed now for viewing.

  7. Reply

    Joyce Wolfe

    September 9, 2012

    Wrote over a week ago asking for help/suggestions as to the correct way to hang a grouping of nine prints. Have not heard from you.

    • Reply

      Ballard Designs

      September 10, 2012

      Try hanging 3 rows of 3 prints to create the most impact.
      The Style Studio Team

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