How To Decorate Your Walls!

You don’t need loads of money or special skills to decorate your walls. We show you how…

It’s often said that knowing how to hang a picture is an art in itself, a fact the professionals can attest to whether working with masterpieces, family portraits or heirlooms.

If your wall décor is positioned too high or there’s a lack of cohesion between the items, an entire room can feel disjointed. Luckily, there are a few simple guidelines you can follow to create the perfect gallery wall or focal point.

[1] What is art?

“Art is an original work that has been executed with a purpose, creativity and skill,” says artist, curator and gallery owner Alex Hamilton. “It is authentic and communicates a message, but it isn’t necessarily a painting.” Not everything you hang against a wall has to be an original artwork. “I think it’s important to differentiate between art and wall decorations,” he explains. “Wall decorations can be anything from plates, photos and tapestries to a collection of handbags. I’ve seen typewriters mounted in an eye-catching arrangement! It doesn’t have to be expensive – it can be anything you love that creates an atmosphere in a room and brings you joy.”

[2] The perfect height

Typically in galleries or at exhibitions, artworks are hung between 1 400mm and 1 600mm from the floor, explains Nick Henshilwood of Hang it Now. Although this can also be applied in residential spaces, you need to take furniture such as a large sofa or console table into consideration and make the necessary adjustments. “Art that is hung too high is awkward as there’s too much blank space between the piece and the floor – you need to look into the centre of an artwork to be able to fully appreciate its beauty,” says Nick.

[3] Groupings that work