Picture display
In bedrooms with less space, I always find that placing a large, round rug under the bed works if the rug is a little off-centre (but do make sure there is some rug available to step out onto when getting out of bed). It’s best to tuck as little as possible of the rug under the bed, but if there appears to be too much of the rug showing, simply creep some of it under the bed until the room feels visually balanced.
Gallery idea No 8: The look-at-me landing Staircases often get overlooked when it comes to decorating, and what a pity – they’re one of the most high-traffic areas in the home. Create a gallery that draws in the eye by staggering work along the staircase wall. Keep the centre of your gallery wall around the 150cm height, and allow 25cm from the stair to avoid damage when vacuuming. Offsetting a gallery wall with a lone, larger artwork – as seen here, with the big typography piece at the far end – is a great way add extra punch to a space.
Gallery idea No 4: The table top The days are gone when a single statement piece of art above furniture was the norm. We love this grid pattern set above a chest of drawers. Certain artworks, including pieces in a series, geometric works or other minimal lines look best in a structured grid. Smaller works in a series are particularly nice in this format.
Gallery idea No 3: The calming bedroom In bedrooms, use soft palettes with splashes of colours that complement the furniture for maximum impact. Bedrooms look better with gallery walls that aren’t too busy – this is where you come to unwind and sleep. Keep things feeling spacious by limiting your gallery to two rows.
Hang with precision There’s nothing more frustrating than hanging your art only to realise it’s not at the right height. Most galleries hang works with the centre of the piece 150cm from the floor, so it sits at the average eye level. Use a spirit level and pencil to mark the holes before you drill. Double check each measurement to ensure you have the right height and balance. Tip If you’re hanging pictures yourself, consider using D-rings rather than a wire or string. Most wires are attached to the frame with D-rings, so simply remove the wire and insert two screws in the wall that fit inside the D-rings. Hanging this way removes any future slips or crooked wall hangings.
Start with the largest first Balance and symmetry are key for creating a gallery wall that works. Start with the largest piece you intend to hang on your wall and use this as the focal point. Work from the centre out. We recommend spacing artworks at least 3cm apart from one another to make each stand out on its own. Try to keep the overall pattern balanced against other furniture or centred in a room. Tip Before you break out the hammer, lay out the works and cut newspaper to the size of each. Using masking tape, position the paper on the wall as you would the art, then try a few different arrangements until you’re happy with the effect.
Tea towels are not only practical, they often host some amazing designs. So instead of keeping them tucked away in a drawer, think about displaying them, using either hooks or, as here, an oversized grip clip. For a more rustic look, hang them with simple wooden clothes pegs, which you can pick up for buttons!
If you want to hang a lot of frames and are worried about damaging the wall, or perhaps you rent and are limited to what you can hang, try hanging strips, such as those by Command, which can be picked up in many homeware stores. These act as little Velcro devices that don’t damage the wall and can easily be removed.
Choose display shelves Ultra-narrow shelves designed for propping up pictures give so much scope and flexibility, and can be picked up fairly cheaply from many DIY stores. When you fancy a change, just move your pictures around. Paint the shelves the same colour as your walls to let the artworks take centre stage, and choose wood rather than plastic if you think you’ll want to change the colour whenever you repaint your walls.
Make the most of your hall Normally the biggest expanse of wall in the house will be the hall and landing, but it’s often overlooked when so much focus is given to the main reception rooms. While it may be tricky to fix your prints on such a high wall, the results will be well worth it. Using the same frames will unite the two spaces, while a variety of different frames will give a more eclectic, relaxed feel.
Consider sight lines It’s something that’s often overlooked, but pendant lighting can sometimes impede the view of your artwork. If this is the case, turn it into a positive feature and make the two pieces work together. If your light is ornate and colourful, keep the print monochrome, and vice versa.
Gallery idea No 2: The sharp furniture line Creating a sharp boundary above a piece of furniture can open up the room and, in some instances, limit potential damage to art. Try to keep your gallery wall at least 30cm above furniture.
Q