10 Times Propping Up Pictures Was Better Than Hanging Them
Artworks and mirrors don’t have to be fixed to the wall. Take a look at the schemes where leaning was a top strategy
Sarah Warwick
30 March 2018
Houzz Contributor. I'm a freelance journalist and editor writing for nationals, magazines and websites. A serial house revamper, I love great design, beautiful interiors and practical solutions.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a freelance journalist and editor writing for nationals, magazines... More
Getting out your hammer and picture nails might be second nature, but that doesn’t mean it’s always the best approach to introducing a mirror, picture or photo to a room. Propping against a wall can change the ambience, make refreshing tweaks easy, and may even suit the architecture of a room far better. Be inspired by these leaning lovelies.
Take the weight off
A sizeable framed mirror like this one is a weighty object, so propping can be a practical alternative if you fear the mirror’s frame is not robust enough, or the construction of the wall limits where you might be able to position the piece.
The shabby-chic style of this ornately framed mirror makes it just right for the casualness of propping, too. The softness of aged paintwork is repeated in the bloom print hung on the wall and the floral arrangement, while the velvet bench is equally soft but adds a shot of colour to the area.
Browse mirrors in the Houzz Shop
A sizeable framed mirror like this one is a weighty object, so propping can be a practical alternative if you fear the mirror’s frame is not robust enough, or the construction of the wall limits where you might be able to position the piece.
The shabby-chic style of this ornately framed mirror makes it just right for the casualness of propping, too. The softness of aged paintwork is repeated in the bloom print hung on the wall and the floral arrangement, while the velvet bench is equally soft but adds a shot of colour to the area.
Browse mirrors in the Houzz Shop
Lose the years
If you’re concerned the artwork you want in a room tends to the traditional side, leaning it can give it a contemporary twist that makes it look just right in the scheme.
In this bedroom, it’s two portraits that have been given the treatment. A slight overlap of the smaller painting onto the larger one also contributes to the modern feel. Meanwhile, the oval painting above has been hung on the wall at a level low enough to associate it with the propped pair, so the whole reads like one. A few books in front complete the pleasing group.
Should you ever display books with their spines facing the wall?
If you’re concerned the artwork you want in a room tends to the traditional side, leaning it can give it a contemporary twist that makes it look just right in the scheme.
In this bedroom, it’s two portraits that have been given the treatment. A slight overlap of the smaller painting onto the larger one also contributes to the modern feel. Meanwhile, the oval painting above has been hung on the wall at a level low enough to associate it with the propped pair, so the whole reads like one. A few books in front complete the pleasing group.
Should you ever display books with their spines facing the wall?
Dress a mantel
An artwork that could look lost hung above a mantelpiece can become a perfectly sized element within a group display if it’s rested against the wall. Here, the arrangement shuns symmetry, but the painting and the tall blue vessel are balanced in height for a pleasing effect, while the selection of sizes for the remainder of the pieces leads the eye around the group.
Styling tip: Note how the painting’s colours are repeated among the collection of objects as well to create a harmonious whole.
An artwork that could look lost hung above a mantelpiece can become a perfectly sized element within a group display if it’s rested against the wall. Here, the arrangement shuns symmetry, but the painting and the tall blue vessel are balanced in height for a pleasing effect, while the selection of sizes for the remainder of the pieces leads the eye around the group.
Styling tip: Note how the painting’s colours are repeated among the collection of objects as well to create a harmonious whole.
Change the view
A big plus point of art that’s not attached to wall fixings? It’s so easy to swap images in and out when you’re ready. In this room, that equals a change of view when seated at the desk – something that’s welcome when you spend a lot of time in one spot in a room.
This threesome of pictures has a theme that links them, so either switching in one or two replacements with a botanical motif or swapping all three to another linked collection would work best.
A big plus point of art that’s not attached to wall fixings? It’s so easy to swap images in and out when you’re ready. In this room, that equals a change of view when seated at the desk – something that’s welcome when you spend a lot of time in one spot in a room.
This threesome of pictures has a theme that links them, so either switching in one or two replacements with a botanical motif or swapping all three to another linked collection would work best.
Look here
Propping images can help draw the eye to the quirky detail of a period property. In this pretty home, it’s a group of three colourful prints that show off the pleasing nook below the window on the landing. They’d look cramped and awkward fixed to the wall, but leaning, they don’t overfill the space.
The style of the pieces – with the images centred behind glass but without a mount – adds to the unfussy feel.
Propping images can help draw the eye to the quirky detail of a period property. In this pretty home, it’s a group of three colourful prints that show off the pleasing nook below the window on the landing. They’d look cramped and awkward fixed to the wall, but leaning, they don’t overfill the space.
The style of the pieces – with the images centred behind glass but without a mount – adds to the unfussy feel.
Fall for an illusion
Placing a mirror at floor level can give the illusion of another room off the space you’re in – an effect that even hanging it low on the wall won’t quite achieve. It’s a trick that lets a small room feel bigger, but makes large ones more intriguing.
In this bathroom, it also creates a second view of the fireplace – and the (propped up) mantel picture and portrait above.
Painting the mirror frame in a light colour against the pale wall – as here – helps the trickery, as it’s the image in the mirror that draws attention rather than the frame.
Placing a mirror at floor level can give the illusion of another room off the space you’re in – an effect that even hanging it low on the wall won’t quite achieve. It’s a trick that lets a small room feel bigger, but makes large ones more intriguing.
In this bathroom, it also creates a second view of the fireplace – and the (propped up) mantel picture and portrait above.
Painting the mirror frame in a light colour against the pale wall – as here – helps the trickery, as it’s the image in the mirror that draws attention rather than the frame.
Work a wall
Picture shelves that have a lip to hold the images in place or grooves to position them in – or both – are designed for leaning. But why not follow the example of this living space, where the arrangement’s continued at floor level with a grouping where there’s no shelf? The result is an individual feature wall that can be reworked as the mood grabs.
With so many pictures on show, copying this idea of sticking to a monochrome display is a good discipline, so the parts work as a whole. Failing that, consider matching just the colour of the frames instead.
Picture shelves that have a lip to hold the images in place or grooves to position them in – or both – are designed for leaning. But why not follow the example of this living space, where the arrangement’s continued at floor level with a grouping where there’s no shelf? The result is an individual feature wall that can be reworked as the mood grabs.
With so many pictures on show, copying this idea of sticking to a monochrome display is a good discipline, so the parts work as a whole. Failing that, consider matching just the colour of the frames instead.
Show, don’t tell
In this bedroom, a perfume poster plays up the pamper-space credentials. Leaning it against the wall alongside the dressing table strikes the right relaxed note for a sleeping space – on the wall, it could look more like advertising.
Check out the textures that make this room a pleasure to be in: a velvety carpet underfoot, soft linen on the bed, and a tactile throw. Dusty pink makes it pretty, while yellow accents and black furniture keep the look modern.
In this bedroom, a perfume poster plays up the pamper-space credentials. Leaning it against the wall alongside the dressing table strikes the right relaxed note for a sleeping space – on the wall, it could look more like advertising.
Check out the textures that make this room a pleasure to be in: a velvety carpet underfoot, soft linen on the bed, and a tactile throw. Dusty pink makes it pretty, while yellow accents and black furniture keep the look modern.
Add a new level
A propped blackboard brings an element of fun to the elegant hallway in this home. Hung, a design like this would make even a space with a high ceiling look less generous, as it would be so close to it. With a greater gap at the top, the ceiling feels further away.
If you’re concerned about the toppling hazard of a large item that’s leaning rather than fixed, consider putting in a wall anchor to which you can attach the top of the frame.
Clever design ideas for narrow hallways
A propped blackboard brings an element of fun to the elegant hallway in this home. Hung, a design like this would make even a space with a high ceiling look less generous, as it would be so close to it. With a greater gap at the top, the ceiling feels further away.
If you’re concerned about the toppling hazard of a large item that’s leaning rather than fixed, consider putting in a wall anchor to which you can attach the top of the frame.
Clever design ideas for narrow hallways
Dress up
A leaning mirror helps to define a corner of this bedroom as a glamorous dressing area. Propping rather than hanging the mirror has allowed it to be positioned across a corner, so the fireplace doesn’t obstruct a full view (the footstool is easily moved away for a full-length reflection).
Choose a glass-framed mirror like this one to add extra sparkle to a dressing room, or a room that’s used after dark, where it’ll provide an extra layer of reflection for lamp- and candlelight.
Tell us…
Do you prefer to prop or hang mirrors and artwork? Do you do both? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
A leaning mirror helps to define a corner of this bedroom as a glamorous dressing area. Propping rather than hanging the mirror has allowed it to be positioned across a corner, so the fireplace doesn’t obstruct a full view (the footstool is easily moved away for a full-length reflection).
Choose a glass-framed mirror like this one to add extra sparkle to a dressing room, or a room that’s used after dark, where it’ll provide an extra layer of reflection for lamp- and candlelight.
Tell us…
Do you prefer to prop or hang mirrors and artwork? Do you do both? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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Very timely. Think bathroom window, with a beautiful stained glass mirror propped up in front of it, with a heavy potted plant in front of that. Tried to open the window, carefully, half an inch today.... you guessed it.... plant pot slipped, smashed over loo, managed to rescue the mirror but got black soil and terracotta pot bits everywhere. Spent the next 20 minutes clearing it all up. Solution, put up, don't prop up.
making the most of the open space under the stairs