Is Wall Art a Vital Aspect of Interior Design?

Yes. Furniture makes a room usable, but art makes it yours. It is often the first thing a guest notices and the thing you look at every day.

What art does in a room

• It sets the focal point. A well-placed piece tells the eye where to rest.
• It sets the scale. The right size makes a room feel considered; the wrong one makes furniture look lost.
• It carries the colour. An artwork can pick up a cushion or a rug and tie the room together.
• It tells a story. A work by a named artist, with its tradition credited, says something about who lives there.

Choosing the size

Above furniture, aim for about two-thirds of its width. A 60 in (152 cm) sofa suits art about 40 in (102 cm) wide: one large landscape piece, or two works side by side. On an empty wall, a single larger piece usually looks calmer than several small ones.

Not sure? Use Preview on wall and Size scale on any Raknida product page to check its scale first.

Hanging it at the right height

Hang a piece with its centre about 57–60 in (145–152 cm) from the floor. Above a sofa or console, leave about 8–10 in (20–25 cm) between the furniture and the bottom of the frame.

Hanging without damaging your walls

Know your wall first. Most modern US homes have drywall, which is soft. Many older buildings have plaster, which is harder and more brittle. Outside the US, brick and concrete are common and need masonry fixings.

A quick test: knock on the wall. Drywall sounds hollow between the studs; plaster and masonry sound solid.

For lighter frames, use adhesive hanging strips. Clean the wall with a dry cloth or a little rubbing alcohol. Press each strip firmly for 30 seconds, then wait an hour before hanging. Never exceed the weight printed on the pack.

For heavier frames, use the right hardware. A picture hook rated for the weight works in drywall and plaster. In masonry, drill and use a wall plug.

Looking after it

Keep artworks out of direct sun and away from bathrooms, radiators and vents. Handle a fine art print by its border and a frame by its sides.

See the full size guide →