Rug source and similar rugs / Leather Couch / Linen Settee
Have you wondered what to hang on your walls and where to place it? After answering reader questions about wall decorating, I wanted to share a practical guide to help you choose and arrange wall decor with confidence.
Reader question:
Hi! I love your blog and your design style! I have a question about how you decide to decorate the walls in your home. How do you decide which walls need something and which ones to leave blank? Your rooms seem to have the perfect balance. Is there a trick?
Thanks! – Tricia
Answer:
How much art feels right, what to hang where, and how much white space to leave are all personal decisions. Some people prefer very little on their walls, while others like a fuller, more layered look. Each home has its own needs, so there’s no single rule that fits everyone. The goal is to learn what appeals to you and use a few guiding principles to create a balanced, comfortable space.
Here are ten practical guidelines I follow for decorating walls. Use them as a starting point and adapt what works best for your home and taste.
1. Vary the number of items on each wall. If one wall has a grid of six frames or a busy gallery, keep a nearby wall simple with one or two pieces. This contrast prevents the room from feeling repetitive.
2. Mix types and shapes of wall objects. Combining framed art, mirrors, woven baskets, canvas pieces, clocks, paintings, or found objects adds visual interest and a collected feel.
3. Pay attention to scale. Large pieces or thoughtfully grouped art make more impact than a solitary small frame that’s hard to see across the room. Match scale to the space for stronger visual balance.
Crane Art
4. Limit text-based art. Too many pieces with large letters or quotes can feel loud. Aim for one meaningful worded piece per room so it stands out without overwhelming the space.
5. Aim for cohesion. Consider color palettes, mood, texture, scale, and wood tones when selecting pieces. If something clashes, tweak it until the collection feels unified.
6. Use mirrors thoughtfully. One large mirror is usually enough to make a statement. If adding more, vary the sizes or group smaller mirrors so they complement rather than compete.
7. Keep the mid-point consistent. Hang each vignette so its visual center sits at a similar height around the room—typically just below eye level. Consistent mid-points make the arrangement feel intentional and balanced. Small amounts of poster putty help keep frames straight.
Wall Art // Rug // More Hallway Details
8. Leave space to rest your eyes. Room features like wall color, architectural style, furniture density, patterns, doorways, windows, and ceiling height affect how much art and empty wall space feels right. Allow breathing room between vignettes.
9. Consider multiple viewing angles. Ideally, artwork should look pleasing from different vantage points. But don’t obsess over perfection—small imperfections can make a room feel relaxed and lived-in.
10. Step back and assess the whole room. Once art is hung, scan the space to see whether everything contributes to the mood you want. If the room feels chaotic, simplify a few areas. Reassess as you rearrange or as the seasons change to maintain balance.
Tip: Take a Photo!
It’s common to focus on individual vignettes and make each wall interesting on its own. But repeating the same level of detail on every wall can feel overwhelming when you view the room as a whole. A simple trick: step back as far as possible and take a photo of the entire room. Photographs help you see the overall balance and may reveal places that need simplifying or adjusting. If the room looks balanced in the photo, you’re likely on the right track.
More helpful posts:
How to Choose Art for Your Home + Favorite Art Sources
Where to Find Coastal / Sailboat / Seascape Artwork: Favorite Sources
You’ll find many more decorating principles, tips, and step-by-step ideas in my decorating books.
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See more reader questions I’ve answered on The Inspired Room in the Decorating Inspiration section.
Shop my house and latest decor finds here