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

Have you ever imagined turning each step in your home into an artistic experience?

Whether you love the harmony of coordinating art pieces by size, color, and theme, or enjoy the excitement of a diverse and eclectic mix, your staircase is the perfect backdrop for your creativity.

Continue reading to unlock the best styling secrets for displaying your art or photo collection, expertly tailored to the unique dimensions and aesthetic of your staircase. Prepare to transform your ordinary walkway into an extraordinary gallery with every step you take!

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.

Protect your artwork from light, dust, and damage to safeguard your investment. Regardless of any challenges like windows, built-in shelving, or the need for extra support for heavier pieces, plan your placement thoughtfully.

Equip yourself with a pencil for marking, a measuring tape, and a level, and enlist a friend’s help to ensure your art is perfectly positioned and securely hung.

Nested Gallery Wall

Using a nested gallery arrangement, walk viewers through a story made with pictures.

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

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

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.

Arrange your artwork around a central monogram, focus on family photos, or display a variety of framed pieces unified by color or theme.

Opt for a grid layout that complements the shape and incline of your staircase for a cohesive look.

Top Of The Staircase

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

Create a tasteful art display by spacing the work so it hangs above every other step. This helps reduce the artwork from appearing overcrowded and visually cramped and allows for bare walls to be 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 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.

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.

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.

How Much Wall Art Is Too Much?

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 and space between pieces and create 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.

The wall next to your staircase is an ideal spot to showcase your treasured art collection, transforming daily routines into moments of visual delight.

Art not only enhances the feel of your home but also complements your decor, making every trip up or down the stairs a joyous experience.

Whether you opt for a nested display that tells a story, a grid of similarly framed pieces for a sleek look, or staggered arrangements that add warmth, the possibilities are endless.

Create a unique, elegant gallery on your staircase and turn it into a captivating journey from one floor to the next.

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