Pictures on the Wall – How to Hang Them Properly in Your Interior

You have definitely decided to enhance your space with pictures, and you have chosen a special wall in your home for this purpose? Before you embark on your hanging adventure, there are a few things you should check.

The first thing on the list is to find out which pictures are recommended for bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms, bathrooms, hallways, and the like. When it comes to the bedroom, for this kind of intimate space, pictures with soft, pastel colours featuring calming motifs and inspirational themes are recommended.

The living room is the ideal place for a large, statement picture, which could also be an oil on canvas. It is advisable to hang such a painting above the seating area, over the sofa.

In the dining room, pictures with richer, darker themes and colour palettes work best, whilst in hallways, sets of art prints are recommended to complement plain, white corridor walls.

Once you have decided exactly where you want to place the pictures on the wall, the next most important step is to plan a precise concept for where each picture will hang. This is essential if you want your interior to look stylish and tasteful, without random, cluttered hanging.

Pay attention to symmetry, the room as a whole, and the spacing that will make the pictures look cohesive and striking on the walls. It is recommended that the gap between pictures should be at least 5 centimetres, or 2.5 centimetres if you are hanging small pictures or photographs.

Take care with your picture frames and how they are arranged. For example, a set of pictures should almost certainly be placed in identical picture frames to look neat on the wall. Also, choose frames that complement the colours and style of the picture. A picture mount (passe-partout) is a wonderful way to accentuate the artwork’s colours – it is a card border used in framing that surrounds the image inside a sturdy frame.

Once you have established the exact concept of where each picture will hang, the next step is to ensure there are no electrical wires, pipes, or anything similar behind the chosen walls that could be damaged during installation.

If the wall you want to hang your pictures on is made of reinforced concrete, you will need a sufficiently powerful drill to easily insert screws and rawlplugs into the wall.

Check whether the wall is damp or hot due to direct sunlight exposure, as this can make hanging pictures much more challenging. For instance, if an oil painting is placed on a wall that receives direct sunlight for most of the day, it can quickly fade and lose its original beauty.

It is important to consider the pros and cons of the specific location where you plan to hang your pictures. Hallways can be tricky as they are among the highest-traffic areas in the home, meaning pictures can easily be knocked down, whilst bathrooms are usually a poor choice due to the high levels of humidity often present in them.

Once you have determined that the chosen wall is a great option for your curated artworks, the next thing you need to pay close attention to is the tools you use. Remember that hanging pictures on the wall is much easier if you use screws and wall plugs rather than nails, which are more prone to coming loose.

Picture hanging hooks of various sizes are also an excellent choice; they are very sturdy and can support both smaller and larger frames, regardless of weight. To make the picture even more secure and prevent it from shifting or falling, ensure the hanging brackets or hooks are securely attached to the back of the frame.

Hanging pictures on the wall can be a real challenge if you do not have a clear plan beforehand. Before you actually pick up a hammer or drill, mark the spot on the wall with a pencil where you plan to hang the picture.

Make sure you have assessed the placement well so that it is neither overcrowded nor awkwardly positioned relative to other pictures. Most importantly, ensure it is hung straight. Once you have done that, you can proceed with fixing the hanger or nail into the wall.

To prevent your pictures from tilting or hanging crookedly, be sure to use two fixing points on either side of the picture. This will keep it firmly anchored to the wall. You can also use hanging wire or cord attached across the back of the picture frame, which works brilliantly when hanging art on the wall.

How to hang pictures on the wall is one of the most common questions people face when redecorating their interiors. Although there are countless inspiring ideas and guidelines for hanging pictures properly, remember that what matters most is what you love best, even if it does not strictly follow 'standard rules'.

The loveliest space is always one where you feel most at home, so choose only the pictures and spots you feel work best for them – and that bring you joy every time you walk into the room!