Dos and Don'ts of Displaying Artwork in a Master Bedroom
Plan an art display worthy of an upmarket gallery to add interest and personality to your master bedroom
Anne Ellard
23 January 2017
Houzz Australia Contributor. Kitchen designer at Kitchens by Kathie in Brisbane, Australia. I strongly believe that above all else, the most important thing when designing a kitchen is creating something that the client loves!
Houzz Australia Contributor. Kitchen designer at Kitchens by Kathie in Brisbane,... More
Choosing and displaying artwork in any room is an art in itself. Art is an integral part of any home decor and, considering we tend to buy it with our hearts, it often reflects the personalities of a home’s occupants. Your choice of a piece and its placement can make or break the space in which it is displayed.
Galleries, museums, and even hotels always seem to nail the type, and placement, of artwork in their displays. Armed with this practical guide of dos and don’ts for your master bedroom artwork display, you too can set about setting up an exhibition that enhances the room while making you feel all warm and fuzzy when you retire for the evening.
Galleries, museums, and even hotels always seem to nail the type, and placement, of artwork in their displays. Armed with this practical guide of dos and don’ts for your master bedroom artwork display, you too can set about setting up an exhibition that enhances the room while making you feel all warm and fuzzy when you retire for the evening.
DON’T restrict yourself to hanging
I always like to bend the rules a little when it comes to design. After all, we all like different things, and what works for one person may not work for the next. That’s the best thing about us all being individuals with different tastes. Throw all the rule books about hanging artwork out the window. Instead, stand it, prop it, lean it, even stack it.
Arranging different sizes of framed or unframed artwork, photographs and inspirational quotes propped on a shelf, not only feels relaxed and unstructured, but it also gives you the flexibility to move things around and swap them out as you please. Layer pieces by overlapping them slightly and add some ornaments or candles to soften the square edges of the display.
I always like to bend the rules a little when it comes to design. After all, we all like different things, and what works for one person may not work for the next. That’s the best thing about us all being individuals with different tastes. Throw all the rule books about hanging artwork out the window. Instead, stand it, prop it, lean it, even stack it.
Arranging different sizes of framed or unframed artwork, photographs and inspirational quotes propped on a shelf, not only feels relaxed and unstructured, but it also gives you the flexibility to move things around and swap them out as you please. Layer pieces by overlapping them slightly and add some ornaments or candles to soften the square edges of the display.
Providing you don’t have wandering pets and curious toddlers, casually lean artwork against a wall on the floor. This works especially well when grouped together with some furniture as in this tranquil bedroom. It also is a great option for larger pieces of artwork or even mirrors.
The case for leaning art
The case for leaning art
DO choose your frames wisely
The primary purpose of a photo or artwork frame is to present and protect your piece. Next up, a combination of your room’s decor and the artwork’s style should influence the style of frame. For example, an abstract piece of art may look better in a simple slim black frame, whereas a traditional landscape painting may benefit more from a natural wood or gilded frame.
A mix of different art styles or different sizes can easily be pulled together to create a cohesive look by hanging each piece in the same style or colour frame. Such cohesion works well in a bedroom, as it creates a balanced and uncluttered feeling.
The primary purpose of a photo or artwork frame is to present and protect your piece. Next up, a combination of your room’s decor and the artwork’s style should influence the style of frame. For example, an abstract piece of art may look better in a simple slim black frame, whereas a traditional landscape painting may benefit more from a natural wood or gilded frame.
A mix of different art styles or different sizes can easily be pulled together to create a cohesive look by hanging each piece in the same style or colour frame. Such cohesion works well in a bedroom, as it creates a balanced and uncluttered feeling.
Having said that, a mix of frame styles can add an edgy, eclectic feel to your space.
10 ways to embrace eclectic style
10 ways to embrace eclectic style
DON’T just put up art for art’s sake
Choose only pieces that really appeal to you, spark a memory, have personal meaning or are of sentimental value. Hanging a piece of art just because you have a blank wall won’t necessarily add anything to your room. You want to have something that captures your attention and is pleasing to the eye.
The artwork in this bedroom not only fills a bare wall, but also adds a nice shot of accent colour that brightens up the space.
Choose only pieces that really appeal to you, spark a memory, have personal meaning or are of sentimental value. Hanging a piece of art just because you have a blank wall won’t necessarily add anything to your room. You want to have something that captures your attention and is pleasing to the eye.
The artwork in this bedroom not only fills a bare wall, but also adds a nice shot of accent colour that brightens up the space.
DO consider size
Choosing the correct artwork or frame size is one of the most difficult decisions that many homeowners tell me they struggle with. Is it too big? Is it too small? What size is just right?
In most rooms, bigger is always better than too small. A piece of artwork that is too small for the room in which it hangs can feel completely disconnected and lost in the space. For example, one of these small pieces of artwork would look lost above this large and luxurious bed. However, when hung in a group of three the pieces work perfectly.
Look upon a group of paintings as one large piece of art. The artwork display, regardless of whether it is one large piece or a group of individual pieces, should measure at least half to two-thirds the width of the piece of furniture below it.
Choosing the correct artwork or frame size is one of the most difficult decisions that many homeowners tell me they struggle with. Is it too big? Is it too small? What size is just right?
In most rooms, bigger is always better than too small. A piece of artwork that is too small for the room in which it hangs can feel completely disconnected and lost in the space. For example, one of these small pieces of artwork would look lost above this large and luxurious bed. However, when hung in a group of three the pieces work perfectly.
Look upon a group of paintings as one large piece of art. The artwork display, regardless of whether it is one large piece or a group of individual pieces, should measure at least half to two-thirds the width of the piece of furniture below it.
DON’T overdo it
We hear it time and time again in relation to many aspects of life. Less is more. The same goes for artwork, particularly in a bedroom where you are trying to create an uncluttered and relaxing sanctuary like this scheme.
Don’t hang art on every wall in the room just because there is blank space. Keep a balance between art and bare walls by embracing the idea of empty space. Our lives are full of constant distractions, from mobile phones and tablets to advertisements and jam-packed work schedules, so it’s important to give your brain some time to unwind in a space that doesn’t overstimulate it.
We hear it time and time again in relation to many aspects of life. Less is more. The same goes for artwork, particularly in a bedroom where you are trying to create an uncluttered and relaxing sanctuary like this scheme.
Don’t hang art on every wall in the room just because there is blank space. Keep a balance between art and bare walls by embracing the idea of empty space. Our lives are full of constant distractions, from mobile phones and tablets to advertisements and jam-packed work schedules, so it’s important to give your brain some time to unwind in a space that doesn’t overstimulate it.
DO set the mood
Your bedroom should be a cosy and inviting sanctuary, somewhere to relax and de-stress at the end of a long day. Choose artwork that evokes a sense of peacefulness and tranquillity for you, maybe even something soothing and sensual.
Avoid dark and oppressive pictures or paintings that suggest sadness. Likewise, choose a piece that isn’t too dramatic as this may overstimulate your senses as you try to unwind.
Hanging a large thick-framed piece of art above your bed may create a feeling of heaviness in your sleeping zone, so opt for low-profile pieces that don’t overpower the space.
Your bedroom should be a cosy and inviting sanctuary, somewhere to relax and de-stress at the end of a long day. Choose artwork that evokes a sense of peacefulness and tranquillity for you, maybe even something soothing and sensual.
Avoid dark and oppressive pictures or paintings that suggest sadness. Likewise, choose a piece that isn’t too dramatic as this may overstimulate your senses as you try to unwind.
Hanging a large thick-framed piece of art above your bed may create a feeling of heaviness in your sleeping zone, so opt for low-profile pieces that don’t overpower the space.
DON’T hang it too high
Although your home isn’t the same as an art gallery, it’s still worth considering hanging your artwork at eye level as galleries and museums do. Everyone’s eye level is a bit different; however, an excellent guide that suits the majority of people is approximately between 145 centimetres and 152 centimetres to the centre of the artwork from the floor. This means that you can enjoy the piece without having to look upwards.
The same principle can be applied to a group of paintings or photographs by positioning the centre of the entire group at eye level. You don’t have to follow this general rule to the letter, but it is certainly a good starting point.
Although your home isn’t the same as an art gallery, it’s still worth considering hanging your artwork at eye level as galleries and museums do. Everyone’s eye level is a bit different; however, an excellent guide that suits the majority of people is approximately between 145 centimetres and 152 centimetres to the centre of the artwork from the floor. This means that you can enjoy the piece without having to look upwards.
The same principle can be applied to a group of paintings or photographs by positioning the centre of the entire group at eye level. You don’t have to follow this general rule to the letter, but it is certainly a good starting point.
An exception to this general rule is the positioning of artwork above a bedhead, or any piece of furniture in your bedroom.
When hanging a piece of art above a bedhead, position the bottom of your frames or canvas 20 to 25 centimetres above the top of the bedhead. This helps to connect the artwork to the bed as opposed to floating too high above it.
When hanging a piece of art above a bedhead, position the bottom of your frames or canvas 20 to 25 centimetres above the top of the bedhead. This helps to connect the artwork to the bed as opposed to floating too high above it.
DO consider the type of art
Hanging artwork comes in many forms. It can be a painting on canvas or in a frame, it can be a photograph – either taken by a professional or by you – or it can be something different entirely. Framed maps, posters, typography and children’s paintings are other examples of artwork that you might consider hanging on the walls of your bedroom.
Setting the mood in your sleep space
Hanging artwork comes in many forms. It can be a painting on canvas or in a frame, it can be a photograph – either taken by a professional or by you – or it can be something different entirely. Framed maps, posters, typography and children’s paintings are other examples of artwork that you might consider hanging on the walls of your bedroom.
Setting the mood in your sleep space
DON’T restrict yourself to frames and canvases
As I mentioned before, artwork comes in many forms and also in all shapes and sizes. Don’t forget that artwork doesn’t have to be in a frame or on a canvas. It can be something different entirely.
A patterned wallpaper on a feature wall, for example, can often add enough colour and detail to a space without you needing to add any additional pieces of framed art. Wallpaper is a great addition to a bedroom, as it has a soft and homey feeling.
The group of four geometric mirrors on the opposite wall is another perfect example of non-traditional artwork. The grouping, coupled with the unusual shape of the mirrors, adds lots of visual interest. The mirrors also reflect the other colours in the room, thus tying them in with the rest of the space.
As I mentioned before, artwork comes in many forms and also in all shapes and sizes. Don’t forget that artwork doesn’t have to be in a frame or on a canvas. It can be something different entirely.
A patterned wallpaper on a feature wall, for example, can often add enough colour and detail to a space without you needing to add any additional pieces of framed art. Wallpaper is a great addition to a bedroom, as it has a soft and homey feeling.
The group of four geometric mirrors on the opposite wall is another perfect example of non-traditional artwork. The grouping, coupled with the unusual shape of the mirrors, adds lots of visual interest. The mirrors also reflect the other colours in the room, thus tying them in with the rest of the space.
Motivational quotes are another great option, and can be hung anywhere in your bedroom if the wall at the end of the bed isn’t an option in your space.
DO consider the rest of your room’s decor
Choosing the right colour artwork for your space can be difficult. There’s the toss-up between choosing something that will exactly match the other colours in the room, or choosing something that naturally complements the room’s colour scheme.
Here, a single cushion is all that is necessary to tie the complementary colour of yellow into the predominantly blue scheme of this bedroom.
Make your bedroom a 24-hour sanctuary
Choosing the right colour artwork for your space can be difficult. There’s the toss-up between choosing something that will exactly match the other colours in the room, or choosing something that naturally complements the room’s colour scheme.
Here, a single cushion is all that is necessary to tie the complementary colour of yellow into the predominantly blue scheme of this bedroom.
Make your bedroom a 24-hour sanctuary
Selecting an artwork with the same colours as the rest of your colour scheme can feel a bit matchy-matchy, however, it does create a more formal look if that is what is desired in the particular space.
DON’T forget the end of the bed
Often the first place we think of hanging artwork in a bedroom is above the bed, as that’s what we see a lot of online and on TV.
Change things up a bit and opt for hanging a soothing image on the wall at the end of the bed. This is the wall that we see the most of when we’re in our beds reading or talking before we go to sleep, so it makes sense that it should have something worth looking at hanging on it.
According to feng shui, you should hang a picture that inspires you on the wall that directly faces your bed. Choose images that make you feel good about yourself, your life and your relationships and make you feel confident in your abilities.
10 steps to a feng shui bedroom
TELL US
How do you display artwork in your bedroom? Share your tips with us in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse more art-loving bedrooms
Often the first place we think of hanging artwork in a bedroom is above the bed, as that’s what we see a lot of online and on TV.
Change things up a bit and opt for hanging a soothing image on the wall at the end of the bed. This is the wall that we see the most of when we’re in our beds reading or talking before we go to sleep, so it makes sense that it should have something worth looking at hanging on it.
According to feng shui, you should hang a picture that inspires you on the wall that directly faces your bed. Choose images that make you feel good about yourself, your life and your relationships and make you feel confident in your abilities.
10 steps to a feng shui bedroom
TELL US
How do you display artwork in your bedroom? Share your tips with us in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse more art-loving bedrooms
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Our customer used the bedhead to display art, we created custom tiles from his design. The tiles where mounted onto a board and framed with beautiful timber. Great alternative