Unleash Your Bedroom's Charm: 10 Expert Tips on Hanging Art Above Your Bed

The wall above your bed is like a blank canvas waiting to be adorned with artistic flair. Whether you're aiming for a cozy and intimate atmosphere or a bold statement piece, hanging art above your bed can transform your bedroom into a personalized sanctuary. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you curate and hang art with style and precision.

# 1 Define Your Style and Theme:

Before you start making holes in the wall, take a moment to consider your overall style and the theme you want to convey in your bedroom. Are you into modern minimalism, vintage charm, or a boho vibe? Your choice of art should align with the aesthetic you're aiming for.

You should also consider placement and the style of art. For instance, a vibrant and bold piece is great to put above the headboard because you won't be staring at it, but it may not be suitable to be across from the bed where you look at it more often, this should be a place for a more peaceful artwork. You need to be happy to wake up looking at it every morning and go to bed looking at it each night :) love your artworks!

Those bold prints may be more suited to hallways or living zones.  

# 2 Styling Cohesion:

It is ideal to match a colour tone in the room with the artwork frame if possible. 

Let's briefly discuss frame color before delving into measurements. The choice of frame color can significantly impact the overall look and ambiance of your bedroom.

Ideally, the frame surrounding your artwork should complement other design elements in the room, such as furniture like bedside tables, tallboys, or chests of drawers. It may also relate to colors found in rugs, table lamps, or pendant lights within the space.

By aligning the frame color with other elements, you maintain a sense of harmony and coherence in the room. The artwork will visually integrate more seamlessly if the color or material of your furniture, for instance, oak, is echoed in the frame.

This principle is evident in this image; the consistent frame and bedside table colors create a harmonious palette, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the space.

# 3 Consider Bed Size and Placement:

The size and placement of your bed are crucial factors. If you have a king-size bed, for example, you might opt for a larger piece or a curated arrangement of smaller artworks.

When deciding how to hang art above a bed, one significant factor to consider is width. The relationship between the width of the furniture and the artwork above it holds importance in any room, but it becomes especially crucial in the bedroom.

Here's a golden rule: the width of the artwork should never exceed that of your headboard or bedhead. You always aim for the edge of the art to align either with the width of the headboard or ideally step in slightly from it.

Ensure that the bottom of the artwork sits above the headboard and doesn't extend too low, more on this below - 

# 4 Measure and Mark:

Measure the width of your bed and the wall space above it. The general rule of thumb is to choose artwork that is about two-thirds the width of your bed. Once you have your measurements, mark the center point above your bed. This is where the center of your artwork should ideally be. Time to get the tape out - grab some masking tape and add the corners of each artwork to be placed so you can step back and get a view of the layout and size. 

Width: For example, most Queen size beds are 150cm wide, your artwork should be around 100cm wide as an individual piece but feel free to break the rules on this one, we sure do!!!

Which orientation of art is most suitable to hang above a bed: square, portrait, or landscape? Let's clear this dilemma up once and for all :)

The answer is straightforward. A single square artwork on its own typically lacks balance, leaving too much empty space on either side. Similarly, a single portrait orientation artwork can appear awkward and is generally not advised.

Ideally, opt for one landscape orientation artwork positioned above the bed, or consider placing two square artworks side by side. In certain cases, pairing two landscape or portrait artworks can also be effective, but further discussion on this is provided in the following rule.

# 6 The Magic Number - Single, Multiple or Gallery Wall:

The number of artworks you choose to hang above a bed can influence the overall look and ambiance of the room.

As a general guideline, I typically recommend installing either one landscape artwork above the bed or positioning two square artworks of equal size side-by-side. In cases where the headboard is extra wide or if the bed is a king size or bigger, you may consider hanging two landscape artworks side-by-side.

While two portrait artworks side-by-side can occasionally work, particularly if the wall space is narrow or the ceiling is high, it's not my preferred approach. It often doesn't achieve the same visual impact as one landscape artwork or two squares placed adjacent to each other.

If you really want to incorporate more than two artworks above the bed, it's possible, especially if the headboard is exceptionally wide or if you're aiming for a multi-frame, eclectic gallery wall aesthetic.

# 7 Mind the Scale:

Scale is key when it comes to hanging art. Avoid pieces that are too small, as they may get lost above a spacious bed. On the other hand, an artwork that's too large might overwhelm the space. Strike a balance that complements the proportions of your bed and the wall.

# 8 Gallery Walls; Create a Mock Layout:

In need of a gallery wall hack? Get that unused Christmas wrapping paper out! With a large roll of wrapping paper, I lay out all the frames on it, allowing me to tweak and adjust until I find the perfect grouping that looks just right.

• For a cohesive appearance, maintain frames closely together, ideally leaving about 2.5-7.5cm of space between them.
• Opt for an odd number of frames as they tend to be easier to arrange than even numbers.
• Begin with the largest frame and position it slightly off-center
• Continuously adjust until you achieve the desired arrangement.
• Add the hanger position to the mockup
• Using painter’s tape, position the entire sheet of wrapping paper up on the wall you are planning to hang on. 
• Now, start to hang your artworks with the largest going on first (always check position with a level)
• Keep the paper up until you have hung all of your artworks, you can then remove it and voile, you are all set!

# 9 Hanging Techniques:

Use appropriate hanging techniques based on the weight and size of your artwork. For lightweight pieces, adhesive strips may suffice, while heavier frames may require screws or wall anchors - be sure that you are not just nailing or screwing into plaster if your artwork is heavy as this may land on the floor and leave you a great big hole in the wall!

Remember also, a level is your best friend to ensure that your art hangs straight.

The ideal type of hooks for hanging art above a bed varies depending on the weight and construction of the artwork.

For lightweight canvases without frames (although avoiding this is advisable to prevent common art mistakes), 3M Command hooks can be successfully used. Ensure you check the weight limit indicated on the packet before purchasing to ensure compatibility.

For heavier canvas artworks housed in box frames or those with glass fronts, sawtooth hooks attached to the back of the artwork are recommended. Alternatively, ensure the artwork is hung securely using multiple sturdy hooks.

If you're uncertain or prefer to avoid DIY installations, consider hiring a professional picture hanger.

# 10 Lighting Considerations:

Consider the lighting in your bedroom. If possible, install ambient lighting that highlights your artwork. Wall-mounted sconces or directional spotlights can add a layer of sophistication to your bedroom art display.

The colour tone of your lightbulb may also be important to the effect of your artworks, consider whether cool white, white or warm white work with your room's ambience and the artworks. 

The colour changes vary the ambiance of the room, for instance, if you're aiming for a standard lighting effect suitable for most homes, using a warm white bulb will emit a more yellow tone which many find to be tranquil and a welcoming ambiance.

If you prefer a more modern aesthetic with a pure white (it casts a more blue tone) then opt for Daylight White. This can feel more clinical, especially in a bedroom where the tone should be relaxing on the eye. 

Cool White is a colour which provides a cleaner and more contemporary look, its more neutral than the other whites; not too yellow, not too blue!

Conclusion: Transforming Your Space into a Haven

Hanging art above your bed is not just about filling an empty space; it's about creating a visual story that complements your style and enhances the ambiance of your bedroom. From choosing the right scale to experimenting with layouts, each step contributes to a personalized haven where art becomes an integral part of your nightly retreat. So, channel your creativity, measure twice, and let your bedroom walls become a canvas for your unique expression. Sweet dreams await in your newly adorned sanctuary!