Where Should You Hang Wall Art? It's Not Just About Empty Walls

Finding artwork you love is the easy part. The next question is deciding where it should go. Because the same print can feel completely different depending on where you hang it.

The funny thing is, we often spend more time choosing the artwork than deciding where to put it. We find the perfect print, bring it home and then... it leans against a wall for weeks while we decide where it belongs.

Guilty!

The truth is, there isn't a right answer. There isn't one perfect wall waiting for every piece of art. But there are places where artwork naturally becomes part of your everyday life.

Start with the Room You Live In

Rather than asking where a piece should go, I like to ask where I'll see it most often.

The living room is usually a good place to start. It's where we gather, where we read, watch films, chat with friends or simply enjoy a quiet cuppa after a long day. If a piece of art makes you smile, why hide it in a room you rarely use?

Sometimes the best place isn't the biggest wall. It's the wall that becomes part of your daily routine.

Above the Fireplace

Fireplaces have a way of drawing our attention, even when there's no fire burning.

Adding artwork above the mantel gives your eye somewhere else to wander. It doesn't have to compete with the fireplace. Instead, the two work together, creating a natural focal point that makes the room feel complete.

I especially like colourful artwork here. It adds warmth before you've even lit a candle.

The Quiet Corners

Not every piece needs to be the centre of attention.

Sometimes a print above a console table, sideboard or shelving unit creates a little moment that makes you pause. Add a vase, a favourite book or a plant, and suddenly an ordinary corner feels intentional.

The Quiet Corners

It's often these little corners that become my favourite parts of a home.

Follow the Hues

Nature doesn't worry about matching colours. It simply gets on with being beautiful.

A garden can be full of pinks, oranges, purples and greens, yet nothing feels out of place. The colours belong together because they share the same space and create the same feeling.

I think our homes can work in much the same way. Instead of asking whether the artwork matches the sofa, ask yourself how you want to feel when you walk through the front door. Calm? Happy? Energised? Cosy?

Follow the hues that create that feeling. The rest tends to find its place.

Give It Time

One of the nicest things about wall art is that it doesn't have to stay in one place forever. Move it. Live with it for a while. Try it on another wall.

A piece that feels perfect in the living room today might feel even better in a hallway next year. Our homes change as we do, and that's part of what makes them feel alive.

At the end of the day, there isn't a decorating rule that matters more than this:

Choose artwork that makes you happy to come home. Everything else is just finding the wall that lets it do its job.

Does this make me happy?

If the answer is yes, that's usually enough. Expensive doesn't always mean better. Sometimes you're paying for a name.

Sometimes you're paying for marketing. I'd rather spend my money on artwork that I enjoy looking at every day than on something that comes with an impressive price tag.

A Little Sprout

Finding the right wall is only half the story. The next question is one I hear surprisingly often... How big should your wall art actually be? It's amazing how the very same print can feel completely different simply because of its size. And fortunately, you don't need to be an interior designer to get it right.