Creative Ways to Hang Art

Art isn’t just for walls. A canvass painting hung on an exterior door is a wonderful way to greet guests. Photo by Bryan E. McCay.

My passion for anything in a frame has finally caught up with me, however. Faced with the frustration of finite wall space, I began to rethink how to display artwork. Out of necessity, I got very creative, placing art in spots I never would have thought to use before. Once the first floor was covered, I marched my way up the stairs, hammer and nails in hand, filling the bedrooms and even the baths with paintings and prints.

Quite frankly, the results have astounded me. The more I arranged art in unconventional spaces, the more I fall in love with the wonderful mosaic that has slowly evolved on the walls of my house. Everywhere I turn, artwork in a myriad of styles, sizes and shapes blends into a beautiful tapestry that delights me daily.

Even if you still have expanses of wall space yawning before you in your home, consider placing artwork in unconventional places. I think you’ll love the look, too.

To find these little-used spots, start by looking up. There is so much space above eye level screaming to be covered. The 10-foot ceilings in my historic home give me ample room above windows and doorways to hang a set of botanical prints. Or, why not create a cluster of artwork that crawls up the wall and over a door, like a wandering vine?

Next, look in. Artwork is darling nestled between books in a bookcase. Or, display it alongside fine dishware in your china hutch. I’ve even used framed art as serving trays when entertaining.

Look around. What spots aren’t covered that could be? Can you rest a painting atop an armoire? Can you hang it from your closet doors or kitchen cabinets? To pull off this great look, you don’t need to mar your cupboards. Instead, put a nail in the wall just above a stationary segment of the cabinetry, then suspend the artwork from a wire or ribbon.

Finally, look out. I’ve had loads of fun decorating the exterior of my house with art. A weather-resistant canvass painting looks smashing on your front door or gracing the wall of your screened porch.

Once you’ve found unique spots for your treasures, make sure your pieces are arranged in an eye-catching manner. One hallmark of the Nell Hill’s style is to mix pieces of value with those that are more affordable. My walls are an interesting potpourri of fine art and inexpensive prints. For instance, next to a massive 19th century painting salvaged from a Belgium monastery that Dan discovered on a visit to the Netherlands, I might put a series of inexpensive but beautiful prints.

I also wed symmetry and asymmetry with wild abandon. I love the order of tightly symmetrical displays, so on one wall I might hang a set of prints in a neat, clean line. (Perhaps I crave this order because my life is always so chaotic!) But I think too much symmetry is alarmingly boring, so on an adjoining wall I’ll create a montage of pieces that appear to be randomly placed.

No matter what type of artwork you love, or how you like it arranged, pull out the hammer and nails and go to town. You’ll love the results as you display pieces in unexpected places.

Written in collaboration with journalist Micki Chestnut.