3 Common Mistakes When Hanging Wall Decor

Here at SwatchPop, we specialize in filling blank walls so this blog post is our cup of tea. We see a lot of decorating mistakes in our business and hanging wall decor comes with its own set of mistakes. So we are breaking down the 3 most common mistakes we see when hanging wall decor and telling you how to fix them. Are you ready?

Mistake #1: Hanging it Too High

Imagine if you mounted all the mirrors in your home so high you couldn’t even see your own face in them. Pointless, right? This is hands down, the most common mistake we see. Wall decor is meant to be looked at and enjoyed and they are difficult to enjoy when you have to strain your neck to see it.

Our solution is easy: hang them at eye level.

57-60 inches above the ground is a good average eye level. There are a few exceptions to this rule though. First, take into account the height of the adults who live in your home. If your family is taller or shorter than average, than adjust the eye level accordingly. Second, examine the ceiling height of the room. If the ceiling is lower than average, then mount the decor a little lower than you would expect. Third, if the decor is mounted above furniture then the wall decor needs to be moved closer to the piece of furniture. Consider having between 6-10 inches of wall show between wall decor and furniture.

NOTE: If you are hanging a grouping of decor on the wall, the center of the grouping should be mounted at eye level.

Mistake #2: Not in Scale with Surroundings

Large furniture shouldn’t be paired with extra-small wall decor, just like small furniture shouldn’t be paired with an oversized wall decor piece because they need to be in scale with what is around them. The entire goal for keeping your wall decor in scale with their surroundings is to create a sense of balance in the room and make the room flow naturally.

For example: The wall decor above a sofa should cover about 2/3rds the length of the sofa.

Another example: The wall decor above a fireplace should be no wider than the mantel and no smaller than the fireplace opening underneath.

Another example: A gallery wall should be visually lighter than what is underneath it to create balance. Always keep the bottom of a wall visually heavier than what is hanging above. If nothing is underneath, make sure the gallery wall covers a large portion of the wall to keep it in scale with the wall as a whole.

Last example: A long skinny wall most often looks best with a rectangular piece of wall decor. The same goes for a square wall, it looks best with a square piece on the wall. Keep in mind, other items can work, especially if grouped together to create a shape that is in scale with the wall. Work with the wall you have, not against it.

Mistake #3: Using the Wrong Tools

Source: Pink Peonies

Just like in most home projects, using the right tools can greatly affect the outcome of a project. Hanging wall decor is no exception.

The first step of hanging wall decor is to prepare and have a plan. You need to know exactly what you are going to hang and where you are going to hang it. Paper is a great tool to help with this step. Cut out paper in the shape of the wall decor you want to hang. Tape them onto the wall to determine the perfect placement. This will help avoid too many unnecessary holes in the wall.

Now that you have a plan, the next step is to hang it. Having the right hardware is key here. Be aware of what kind of wall and what part of the wall you are working with. For example: If it is a drywall or plaster wall, consider a wall anchor. Wood screws are strongly recommended on wood walls. Cement and brick walls might need a lead wall plug. Heavy wall decor needs a thick and sturdy anchor. There are so many options available to create a sturdy base for your wall decor so do your research and find the right one for your project.

The last step is quick and easy: use a level.

Wall decor may look crooked up close but could actually look straight from across the room. Stop the guessing, get the level out and put it to work.