Most people don’t struggle with hanging art because they lack tools.
They struggle because they treat art like an accessory — instead of the anchor it’s meant to be.
Statement art isn’t there to politely blend in.
It’s there to hold the room.
Whether you’ve invested in a large original painting or a bold tufted piece, how you place and hang it will determine whether it quietly disappears… or becomes the natural meeting point everyone gravitates towards when they enter the space.
Here’s how to make your artwork pop, feel intentional, and live comfortably in your home — without turning your walls into a Pinterest project.
1. Choose the Size First — Everything Else Follows
If you want art to make an impact, scale matters more than colour, frame, or styling.
A piece that’s too small will always feel apologetic, no matter how beautiful it is. As a rule of thumb:
-
Large wall = large art
-
Empty wall = let the artwork breathe
-
Sofa, bed or sideboard underneath = artwork should be at least two-thirds the width of the furniture
If you’re hesitating between two sizes, choose the bigger one.
Statement art works because it commits.
2. Make Art the Natural Focal Point
The strongest placement for statement art is often where the eye lands first when entering a room.
Ask yourself:
-
What wall do you face when you walk in?
-
Where does the room naturally pause?
-
Where do conversations gather?
That’s where your artwork belongs.
Avoid hiding powerful pieces in corridors or corners unless the intimacy is intentional. Bold art wants space — not competition.
3. Hang at Eye Level (Yes, Lower Than You Think)
One of the most common mistakes is hanging art too high.
Art is best experienced at eye level — not floating near the ceiling.
The centre of your artwork should sit around 57–60 inches (145–150 cm) from the floor.
This creates calm, balance, and presence.
Your art shouldn’t loom or hover — it should meet you.
4. Let It Breathe — Less Styling, More Impact
Statement art doesn’t need help.
Avoid crowding it with:
-
busy gallery walls
-
competing objects
-
over-styled shelves
Negative space is not empty — it’s respectful.
A single strong piece on a quiet wall will always feel more confident than five smaller ones fighting for attention.
5. Prepare the Wall Properly (So You Can Relax)
Once you’ve chosen placement, make sure the hanging itself is secure.
Depending on your wall type and the weight of the artwork:
-
Under 2.5 kg: nails or strong adhesive hooks
-
2.5–10 kg: plastic drywall anchors
-
10 kg+: metal wall anchors or a wall stud
If you’re unsure, your local framer can always advise — especially if your artwork arrived rolled and has been stretched professionally.
6. Hang It Securely and Level
I deliver all my artworks ready to hang, so this step only applies to artworks bought elsewhere.
For larger works:
-
Install two heavy-duty hooks on the back of the frame (about one quarter down from the top)
-
String a strong wire tightly between them
-
Use two hooks on the wall, spaced evenly, so the artwork doesn’t tilt
-
Let screws or hooks stand about 1 cm proud of the wall
Once hung, place a level on top of the frame and adjust gently until it’s perfectly straight. Please note that
7. Live With It
This part matters more than people think.
Sit with your artwork.
Notice how it changes the room at different times of day.
Let it become part of daily life — not something you “set and forget”.
Great art doesn’t just decorate a space.
It grounds it.
Final Thought
Statement art works best when you stop trying to make it behave.
Give it scale.
Give it space.
Hang it with confidence.
Then let it do what it’s meant to do —
hold the room, tell a story, and quietly remind you why you chose it in the first place.