How to Hang Art on Staircase Wall [Inc. Picture Arrangement Tips]

If you have a collection of art that you want to display, your staircase is an optimal home gallery space. You may have questions about the best way to arrange any pictures you have in your curated exhibition. We researched visually appealing examples of how to place your artwork on a wall by your stairs. Read more to discover creative ways to hang your artwork.

Whether you have beautiful framed artwork or a large canvas you want to display in your home, the staircase is an excellent spot. If you are unsure about how to arrange your prized artwork, consider the following ideas:

  • A nested gallery wall spanning the entire staircase
  • Feature a prominent piece at the landing
  • Arrange art at the beginning of the staircase
  • Create a gallery at the top of the staircase
  • Stagger artwork in alignment with every other step

Follow your passion and choose to arrange your artwork by size, color, theme, or create a menagerie of different works. Read on to learn what style is best for your art or photo collection, depending on your staircase's size and style.

Residential steel staircase with hanging paintings on the wall, How to Hang Art on Staircase Wall [Inc. Picture Arrangement Tips]

Creating A Stairway Gallery

Inspire anyone walking up and down the stairs and entreat viewers with your choices of artwork and placement. Before you get started, consider whether you have a floating staircase or L-shaped, with landings, and consider how much wall space is available. You will want to take careful measurements of your wall space so you can ensure your artwork is not hung too high. Also, you should divide your wall area between the total number of pieces you want to display. Doing this will make it easier to place your artwork with ample space to flow naturally and look appealing.

Unless you feel confident framing art yourself or are hanging unframed canvases, you may want to have any art professionally framed. You want to protect your investment, so your artwork should be protected from light and dust and be ready to hang without fear of damage. Make it easier to focus on where you want to place your artwork, no matter if the walls have windows, built-in shelving, or require extra support to hang heavier art. Be prepared to gather a pencil to mark placement, a measuring tape, a level, and have a friend be of assistance.

Nested Gallery Wall

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Interior of a large and bright loft apartment

Walk viewers through a story made with pictures using a nested gallery arrangement. Once you have decided on a theme or a common thread among artwork, you can arrange pieces in clusters spanning your wall's width adjacent to the staircase. A nested gallery wall looks best when you mix the art's sizes, whether you have an industrial home with exposed brick walls or a traditional farmhouse style home. You can create a cleaner look with a grid or stagger pieces as you see fit.

At The Landing

A view down interior carpeted stairs in a modern home

If your home has a grand staircase with a landing or two, it is best to hang one large painting or framed piece in this place. The landing is an excellent place for a viewer to spend a few moments comfortably musing over displayed artwork and take a break going up or down the stairs. Make sure to choose artwork that takes up a significant amount of space on the wall but still has some visible bare wall surrounding the art.

Beginning Of The Staircase

Hall and stairs of a victorian home with hanging wall art

Visually alert anyone going up the stairs where their journey begins with a display of beautifully arranged art. Choose a nested arrangement, a grid, or a few well-thought-out pieces that are balanced. Encircle your artwork around a monogram, stick to family photos, or show off framed artwork of varying sizes with the same color or subject matter. A grided arrangement of art that complements the shape and incline of the stairs look good.

Top Of The Staircase

Grand stairs with hanging wall decor in modern hallway interior

Beckon anyone going up the stairs to carry on to the top to view a gallery display. The wall space at the top of the stairs is visible from the bottom of the steps and makes people curious. Change the art as you ascend the stairs or choose pieces that create a transition between the home decor and design between floors. Create an inviting space and encourage intrigue with artwork using different textures, sizes, colors, and styles.

Spaced Out Display

Aspect of a luxury house in a wealthy neighborhood with wall art in staircase

Create a tasteful display of art by spacing the work so it hangs above every other step. Doing this helps reduce the artwork from appearing overcrowded, visually cramped and allows for bare walls to be a part of the display. It is helpful to choose this art display option for shorter staircases that may not have a landing.

How High Should You Hang Pictures On A Staircase?

When hanging pictures on a staircase wall, take a measuring tape and measure a distance of 57 to 60 inches from the top of the stair tread upward. Using this measure of distance as a benchmark will help keep your artwork at eye-level. Ideally, it is aesthetically pleasing to have artwork staggered at the first steps, in the middle of the stairwell, and at landings. Ensure that any marks you use to place your wall are level and that your pieces are hung securely and properly centered.

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You can use painter's tape to help guide where to place your artwork and keep your artwork evenly spaced. Don't forget to make adjustments for the angle of incline as you move up the steps. Keep your art display neat and visually pleasing by dividing the wall space between the number of art pieces. Doing this step helps you better judge how much space you have to work with so your art doesn't feel cluttered or haphazardly placed.

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How Do You Hang Art On A High Wall?

When you want to show off your art on a high wall, opt for a large showstopper piece. You will want to guide anyone's eye right to the piece, and place it in a grand way that complements and doesn't compete with the stairs and surroundings. Consider the following high placements for larger artwork:

  • In a foyer with high ceilings -  Use the rule of thirds and center a large artwork on the wall, creating a horizon line.
  • In a two-story room with stairs  - Place a large piece at each landing or stagger artwork going up the stairs.
  • Over a landing -  Choose one large artwork to hang over a landing or alternate between nesting multiple pieces.

The way you hang your artwork should add value, beauty, and style to your stairs. Compare the size of your selected artwork to the wall measurements, style of stairs, and amount of space you have to work with based on your choice of arrangement.

Check out this picture hanging kit on Amazon.

Check out this unique picture hanging tool on Amazon.

How Much Wall Art Is Too Much?

How high you should hang pictures on a staircase, How to Hang Art on Staircase Wall [Inc. Picture Arrangement Tips]

You may have too much wall art if you begin to feel overwhelmed, and there is little to no bare wall space visible. It is essential to strike a balance between each piece's size, space between pieces, and creating eye-movement. Choose a mix of small, medium, and large pieces of art if creating a nested arrangement. A grid arrangement naturally creates a balanced gallery display, on top of using similar color and style frames to create uniformity.

It is better to hang one large piece of artwork if it is over a landing or in the middle of a wall with a high ceiling. And remember to use quality hardware to hang art securely. Also, ensure your artwork is level and has sufficient space at the sides for breathing room. Ultimately, how much art you choose to display and whether you have too much is a matter of personal preference. It is best if you allow some of your wall to show through among your art display.

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Conclusion

Residential steel staircase with hanging paintings on the wall

The wall adjacent to a staircase is a hidden gem in a home when looking for a practical place to display treasured artwork. An art collection is a source of pride, makes a home feel complete, and provides plenty of visual interest to break the monotony of one's everyday routine. It is a pleasure to stop and gaze at artwork hanging a few feet above the steps or a landing. It is wise to choose artwork that emphasizes and complements the home decor and makes going up and down the stairs a delight.

Tell a visual story by creating a nested display at the beginning or top of the stairs. Create a transition from one floor to another using artwork based on size, color, texture, or technique. Easily create a more cozy, inviting home using varying sizes staggered along the stairs. Create an inspiring display in a minimalistic or industrial home with a grid display of artwork in similar size and color frames. The possibilities are endless when you wish to create a unique, elegant gallery wall along the stairs.

Check out the following articles about wall decor.

21 Wall Decor Ideas For Hallways

20 Boho Wall Decor Ideas That Can Enhance Any Room Design

15 Gorgeous Primitive Wall Decor Ideas

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