10 Unique Ways to Display Art in Your Home

No matter if it’s an artfully curated gallery wall or an eclectic mix of found objects, there are endless creative and pleasing ways to display artwork in your home. From hanging simple prints or ceramic collections on walls, here are 10 innovative display ideas.

If your walls are tall enough, a gallery-style arrangement occupying only half the wall can appear sparse. To add drama, try using floor-to-ceiling space as designer Andrew Brown did here for a striking display.

1. Gallery Wall

Although gallery walls are commonly associated with an assortment of framed artwork, you can achieve this look using any form of wall decor – this homeowner used various woven baskets as decoration on her accent wall which served both function and art! Just ensure to choose a large space with consistent spacing or else your gallery wall could become visually chaotic and overcrowded.

Diversify the types of frames you use for an eclectic aesthetic. And don’t be afraid to get creative when displaying three-dimensional objects such as sculptures and masks! Just be sure that when laying out your framed art on the floor first, making sure it looks balanced and cohesive before taking any drastic measures such as nailing it to the wall!

2. Picture Ledges

No matter if your home features an irregular wall, an odd corner, or other distinctive characteristics, with just a little imagination it can become an art gallery. A sloped wall could make an excellent display space for family photos that create a sense of time travel.

Mix similar frames together for an eclectic display, such as when designer Phillip Smith brought out the charm of his home with an eccentric arrangement of black and white prints. Eclecticism can also help show your individuality; use it to highlight it!

If you don’t want to permanently display art on walls or if you prefer less-than-permanent arrangements, try leaning pieces against dressers or furniture instead – just be sure to choose sturdy frames which can support their weight!

3. Shelves

If you haven’t found the confidence to hang artworks yet, try arranging decorative objects or ceramic vases on shelves as a focal point instead. According to Simon Temprell, this creates an engaging display and may even create more visual interest than simply hanging one single picture. Look for objects with interesting sculptural forms and surface textures so your arrangement remains fresh.

Lean your art instead! Leaning art can be an interesting alternative to framing work on walls and is especially useful if you have multiple prints or postcards that don’t require large frames. Arrange the leaning collection symmetrically for an orderly display, or experiment with an asymmetrical layout to keep your collection interesting and innovative.

4. Mantelpieces

Displaying art with frames remains an elegant way to highlight your pieces, but that doesn’t have to be your only option. Consider displaying three-dimensional objects with visual appeal such as vintage iron pieces, china plaques and baskets for maximum visual impact on mantelpieces or console tables. Also try changing up their height for additional interest!

Mantels provide an ideal place for art and other decorative items that don’t need to be hung, without needing to drill holes into walls. Here, stacked vases and candlesticks create an eye-catching display.

Combine framed pieces and painted feature walls for an eye-catching contrast, like this primary suite by designer Ann Pyne. A collection of vibrant photos blends well with its wall color thanks to an organized layout and simple white framing – for maximum impactful visual impact!

5. Floor-to-Ceiling

An eye-catching gallery wall can turn an ordinary staircase into an unforgettable destination. Designer Zoe Feldman used framed art that mimicked the slope of the handrail for an eye-catching effect that captures the experience of ascending and descending the steps.

Always follow the 57 inch rule when hanging wall art, which recommends keeping its center at eye level so viewers can comfortably view your piece without straining their necks.

Consider how they will look stacked together when considering where to place a collection of framed prints or photos, such as Instagrammer @thepajamahub’s triptych in their bedroom that combines different frame sizes with matching frame colors for visual harmony. This approach also works well when covering small sections of wall such as in a powder room or entryway.