How to hang pictures: Edward Bulmer’s expert advice

Hanging pictures is one of the simplest ways to bring personality to a home. The art we surround ourselves with can be just as important as the colours on our walls in shaping a room’s character.

Having spent decades decorating historic houses and contemporary interiors, Edward Bulmer has developed a few guiding principles for displaying art beautifully. From finding the right position to creating a balanced gallery wall, here are his tips for getting it right.

Start with the architecture

Before deciding where to hang a picture, consider the shape and proportions of the wall.

Is the space between the mouldings portrait, landscape or square? Ideally, the overall arrangement of pictures should reflect that shape.

A single portrait picture in the centre of a wide wall can look out of place. Instead, consider adding other pieces to create a wider grouping that works with the architecture.

Consider visual weight

The size, frame and subject of a picture all contribute to its visual weight.

Large, detailed works often deserve a prominent position at eye level, with smaller pieces arranged around them.

Be mindful of combining pictures with dramatically different visual weight. A grand gilt-framed oil painting and a delicate, unframed print may be difficult to balance within the same grouping.

Make use of negative space

The space between pictures matters just as much as the pictures themselves.

Too much space can leave a collection feeling disconnected, while thoughtful spacing helps the individual works read as a group.

Aim for an arrangement in which the pictures feel connected without appearing crowded.

Symmetry or asymmetry?

Symmetrical arrangements create a more formal appearance, particularly when displaying pictures of similar sizes.

Asymmetrical groupings can feel more relaxed and personal. The trick is to keep the visual weight balanced on either side of the centre, even when the arrangement itself isn’t symmetrical.

Plan your arrangement before hanging

Before making any holes in the wall, lay out your pictures and experiment with different combinations.

Edward recommends marking out the dimensions of the wall on the floor using tape measures, then arranging the pictures within that space.

For collections of prints or watercolours, he often favours a gentle, undulating line along the tops of the frames rather than a perfectly straight arrangement.

Use two fixings for each picture

Using two fixings helps pictures stay straight, particularly when hanging several frames together.

For larger collections or arrangements that change regularly, picture rails offer greater flexibility.

Heavier works may require more substantial hanging systems, including brass or iron rods, while lighter pieces can be displayed using suitable steel or aluminium systems.

Edward recommends Frank Scragg in Birmingham for picture-hanging hardware.

Always choose fixings appropriate to the weight of the artwork and the construction of the wall.

Don’t be afraid to mix styles and periods

A successful arrangement doesn’t require every picture to come from the same period.

Historic houses often bring together works by artists from very different centuries. What matters is finding a sense of balance between the pieces.

Edward points to the possibility of displaying Freud, Sargent and Gainsborough together, provided the works have a comparable presence.

A Hockney print might sit beautifully beside a linocut, for example, while a collection of family photographs may work better as its own grouping.

Consider the purpose of the room

Display your favourite and most meaningful pieces in the rooms where you spend the most time.

Kitchens and bathrooms can also accommodate artwork, although it’s worth considering humidity, heat and the value of the pieces. Glazed frames and less precious works may be more appropriate in these spaces.

Pictures that don’t quite fit elsewhere can find a home in hallways, landings and smaller corners.

Let the artwork set the tone

The subject matter of a picture can influence the atmosphere of a room, whether serious, playful, dramatic or understated.

Give important works a position where they can be appreciated without distracting reflections or glare.

Avoid hanging valuable or light-sensitive artwork in direct sunlight or beneath strong overhead lighting.

Think beyond conventional walls

Don’t feel restricted to hanging pictures on plain walls.

Artwork can look wonderful against panelling, on the front of a jib door or along a staircase.

These less conventional positions can bring interest to architectural features and make a collection feel more integrated with the room.

Get the lighting right

Good lighting can make an enormous difference to how artwork is seen.

Modern LED picture lights offer energy-efficient, dimmable options with good colour rendering.

Depending on the room and the artwork, consider frame-mounted picture lights or directional spotlights. For valuable or sensitive works, ensure the lighting is suitable for conservation purposes.

Bringing art and colour together

Pictures and paint colour have a wonderful relationship. The right wall colour can complement a collection, bring out particular tones in an artwork or provide a contrasting backdrop.

Whether you’re creating a gallery wall or finding the perfect position for a single painting, taking time to consider the architecture, proportions and colour of the room will help everything come together.

Explore our natural paint colours or speak to our Colour Consultants for advice on creating a scheme around your artwork.