Decorating
Styling: 10 Unexpected Places to Display Artworks for Impact
Choosing a surprising spot or an unlikely display can be the best way to bring the energy and personality of art into any part of your home
The days of one tasteful print placed just so above the sofa are gone – thank goodness. In my humble opinion, you can never have too many posters, prints or children’s drawings on show in a home. Using art in different places adds character and can provide the elusive X factor that turns a house into home.
A quirky collection of pictures in the bathroom, hallway or kitchen is a great way to reflect your personality, add some colour and lift your spirits to boot. And while other accessories – cushions, vases, plastic flamingos – can quickly reach saturation point, there’s usually a spare patch of wall where you can indulge your picture passion. Whether you go for DIY art, support up-and-coming local artists or shop for some of the increasingly impressive high street prints around, here are some different places and ways to hang artworks around the home.
A quirky collection of pictures in the bathroom, hallway or kitchen is a great way to reflect your personality, add some colour and lift your spirits to boot. And while other accessories – cushions, vases, plastic flamingos – can quickly reach saturation point, there’s usually a spare patch of wall where you can indulge your picture passion. Whether you go for DIY art, support up-and-coming local artists or shop for some of the increasingly impressive high street prints around, here are some different places and ways to hang artworks around the home.
Spread out behind your desk
Whether you use your desk for a home business, creative hobbies or simply sorting the bills, a wall of artwork can variously add inspiration, cheer you up and make working (or paying off your credit card) that little bit more pleasurable.
For many people, studies also function as private havens, away from the bustle of family life, so an arty display adds to the bolthole feel. I love the mix of colours on this art wall, and it’s proof that frames don’t have be hung in any particular order for a funky effect – nor that it’s only art that can be displayed to cheer up a wall. With creativity, even sporting memorabilia can look lovely.
Discover how to turn any space into a study
Whether you use your desk for a home business, creative hobbies or simply sorting the bills, a wall of artwork can variously add inspiration, cheer you up and make working (or paying off your credit card) that little bit more pleasurable.
For many people, studies also function as private havens, away from the bustle of family life, so an arty display adds to the bolthole feel. I love the mix of colours on this art wall, and it’s proof that frames don’t have be hung in any particular order for a funky effect – nor that it’s only art that can be displayed to cheer up a wall. With creativity, even sporting memorabilia can look lovely.
Discover how to turn any space into a study
Make a feature under the stairs
If your vacuum cleaner is safely stashed elsewhere, you could consider sacrificing an under-stairs space for a mini art corner, as these owners have done. The panelling provides a handy grid for a neat, more formal display, and the bright colours of the paintings look even more powerful against the dark background.
If your vacuum cleaner is safely stashed elsewhere, you could consider sacrificing an under-stairs space for a mini art corner, as these owners have done. The panelling provides a handy grid for a neat, more formal display, and the bright colours of the paintings look even more powerful against the dark background.
Energise the kitchen
Kitchens are often overlooked when it comes to hanging interesting art, but they really shouldn’t be. Here, the owners have broken the rules, hanging the sort of traditional framed oil painting you might expect to find in a formal living room. The blue paint makes it stand out, while the gold tones coordinate with the interesting light.
Kitchens are often overlooked when it comes to hanging interesting art, but they really shouldn’t be. Here, the owners have broken the rules, hanging the sort of traditional framed oil painting you might expect to find in a formal living room. The blue paint makes it stand out, while the gold tones coordinate with the interesting light.
Exploit the top of the stairs
Your upstairs landing is an obvious place to display those artworks that don’t seem to quite fit anywhere else (in my gaff, it’s also the only space that will accommodate a huge Jean-Luc Godard film poster).
Here, the owners have mixed up letterpress typography with different-sized paintings, photos and prints. The display also demonstrates beautifully how a dark paint colour can create a dramatic backdrop for a wall of art.
Your upstairs landing is an obvious place to display those artworks that don’t seem to quite fit anywhere else (in my gaff, it’s also the only space that will accommodate a huge Jean-Luc Godard film poster).
Here, the owners have mixed up letterpress typography with different-sized paintings, photos and prints. The display also demonstrates beautifully how a dark paint colour can create a dramatic backdrop for a wall of art.
Decorate your shed
When is a shed not a shed? When it’s a place to sip a cup of tea, read the paper and, yes, has quirky paintings hung on the wall. The humble garden shed’s purpose is being redefined in the modern age, used more as a live-work add-on and less just a space for spiders, rusty watering cans and gardening tools. I love the thrift shop vibe of this former Shed of the Year, complete with cool crow picture.
Take a tour of this inspiring shed
When is a shed not a shed? When it’s a place to sip a cup of tea, read the paper and, yes, has quirky paintings hung on the wall. The humble garden shed’s purpose is being redefined in the modern age, used more as a live-work add-on and less just a space for spiders, rusty watering cans and gardening tools. I love the thrift shop vibe of this former Shed of the Year, complete with cool crow picture.
Take a tour of this inspiring shed
Lighten up by a window
It’s all too easy to hang artworks in the centre of a room, but sometimes a corner works better. This vintage-y black and white display by a window has plenty of light, so it can be viewed properly. The mix of sizes, shapes and objects – butterflies, shoe lasts, letters – adds to the romantic edge.
It’s all too easy to hang artworks in the centre of a room, but sometimes a corner works better. This vintage-y black and white display by a window has plenty of light, so it can be viewed properly. The mix of sizes, shapes and objects – butterflies, shoe lasts, letters – adds to the romantic edge.
Work in some works above the bed
Above the bed has become increasingly popular as a spot to hang some interesting art, and can really help ‘finish’ a bedroom. This tongue-in-cheek typography works a treat with the charcoal wall and white bed linen. Always make sure artworks are safely secured, though, so you don’t get any nasty surprises in the night.
Explore more of the typography trend
Above the bed has become increasingly popular as a spot to hang some interesting art, and can really help ‘finish’ a bedroom. This tongue-in-cheek typography works a treat with the charcoal wall and white bed linen. Always make sure artworks are safely secured, though, so you don’t get any nasty surprises in the night.
Explore more of the typography trend
Contemplate the cloakroom
Washrooms were made for playing around with art – the smallest room in the house is one in which you can let your imagination rip, if you so wish. Here, a Buddhism theme is complemented by those hot pink towels and a colourful floor.
Washrooms were made for playing around with art – the smallest room in the house is one in which you can let your imagination rip, if you so wish. Here, a Buddhism theme is complemented by those hot pink towels and a colourful floor.
Hang up high
The space above doorways and openings is often forgotten, but actually it can be a great place to hang artworks, especially if you’ve run out of space elsewhere. This fantastic, Tracey Emin-style pink neon sign looks ultra-cool in this crisp, white kitchen. Look into having your very own neon sign made for something similarly special and unique.
The space above doorways and openings is often forgotten, but actually it can be a great place to hang artworks, especially if you’ve run out of space elsewhere. This fantastic, Tracey Emin-style pink neon sign looks ultra-cool in this crisp, white kitchen. Look into having your very own neon sign made for something similarly special and unique.
Range along a shelf
A shelf featuring a selection of propped-up frames is an old stylist’s trick that still works brilliantly. In this neutral bedroom, a protruding section of wall has been used to create a moveable art gallery and adds character and charm. Just be careful when sitting up in bed with a cup of tea…
A shelf featuring a selection of propped-up frames is an old stylist’s trick that still works brilliantly. In this neutral bedroom, a protruding section of wall has been used to create a moveable art gallery and adds character and charm. Just be careful when sitting up in bed with a cup of tea…
Big up the bottom of the stairs
It isn’t just the landing that works for artworks; the bottom of the stairs is also a great place – after all, it’s somewhere you probably look at several times a day.
Halls in general are perfect places to hang all those artworks you’ve picked up over the years: they give guests an instant taste of your personality, and add a warm, welcoming feel after you turn the key in the door.
It isn’t just the landing that works for artworks; the bottom of the stairs is also a great place – after all, it’s somewhere you probably look at several times a day.
Halls in general are perfect places to hang all those artworks you’ve picked up over the years: they give guests an instant taste of your personality, and add a warm, welcoming feel after you turn the key in the door.
Display above a piano
Is your family piano crowded with an assortment of dusty old photos, tired vases and forgotten post? Mine too. Add some order by copying this idea – putting up shelves above to display children’s art (or whichever pictures you fancy). Going to town with bright blue paint on every surface is optional…
TELL US…
Where have you hung artworks in your home? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
Is your family piano crowded with an assortment of dusty old photos, tired vases and forgotten post? Mine too. Add some order by copying this idea – putting up shelves above to display children’s art (or whichever pictures you fancy). Going to town with bright blue paint on every surface is optional…
TELL US…
Where have you hung artworks in your home? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
Brighten up family meals with a display of the youngest members’ artwork, as seen in this super-chic dining space. Crayons and poster paints sing out against the grey wall, and the homespun feel works brilliantly with the classic Arne Jacobsen Grand Prix chairs and oversized wicker light shade. Change as required for a curated gallery feel.