How to choose and hang a painting
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A painting can transform a room in minutes – as long as you choose it and hang it well. Here are the simple rules interior designers follow.
1. The right size
Above a sofa or a bed, the painting (or group of paintings) should cover about two thirds of the width of the furniture. For a 210 cm sofa, aim for a width of about 140 cm, with one large piece or several aligned frames.
On a bare wall with no furniture, allow about 60% of the wall’s width. A painting that is too small looks lost; one that is too big overwhelms the room.
2. The right height
The most widely used rule: the centre of the painting at about 145–155 cm from the floor, i.e. at eye level. Above a sofa or headboard, leave 20–30 cm between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the frame so they read as one.
3. Portrait or landscape?
A landscape format suits low, wide furniture (sofa, sideboard, bed). A portrait format adds height to a narrow wall, an entryway or a hallway. Square formats work very well in pairs or in a series of three.
4. Arranging several paintings
For a gallery wall, keep the same spacing between frames (5–8 cm) and align them on a common line – top, bottom or centre. Before drilling, cut paper templates and tape them to the wall: you will see the result straight away.
5. Echo the room
Pick up a colour already in the room – from a cushion, a rug or a throw – to create harmony. A stronger contrast, on the other hand, will make the painting the focal point.
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