3 mistakes when hanging wall decorations

Here at Precisionmetal we specialize in giving your empty walls a makeover, so this article is our cup of tea. We see a lot of decorating mistakes in our business and hanging wall decorations comes with its own set of mistakes. So we are going to analyze the 3 most common mistakes we see when hanging wall decorations and tell you how to correct them. Are you ready ?

Mistake 1: Hanging too high

Imagine mounting all the mirrors in your house so high that you can't even see your own face in them. Useless, right? This is by far the most common mistake we see. Wall decorations are made to be looked at and enjoyed, and it's hard to appreciate them when you have to strain your neck to see them.

Our solution is simple: hang them at eye level.

140 to 150 centimeters above the ground is a good average level for the eyes. There are, however, a few exceptions to this rule. First, consider the size of the adults living in your home. If your family is larger or smaller than average, adjust the eye level accordingly. Second, consider the ceiling height of the room. If the ceiling is lower than average, install the decor a little lower than expected. Third, if the decoration is mounted above a piece of furniture, the wall decoration should be placed closer to the piece of furniture. Consider having between 15 and 25 centimeters of wall between the wall decor and the furniture.

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

Mistake 2: Not adapting the size of the decoration to the wall

Large pieces of furniture shouldn't be paired with very small wall hangings, just like small pieces of furniture shouldn't be paired with oversized wall hangings, as they should be in scale with their surroundings. The aim is to keep your wall decoration in scale with its surroundings in order to create a feeling of balance in the room and to make it coexist naturally.

1. For example : The wall decoration above a sofa should cover approximately 2/3 of the length of the sofa.
2. Another example : Wall decoration above a fireplace should be no wider than the fireplace mantle and no smaller than the fireplace opening below.
3. Another example : A gallery wall should be visually lighter than what's underneath to create balance. The bottom of a wall should always be visually heavier than what is hung above. If there is nothing underneath, make sure the display wall covers a large part of the wall so that it stays in scale with the wall as a whole.
4. Last example : a long narrow wall is most often highlighted by a rectangular wall decoration element. The same goes for a square wall, which will be better enhanced by a square room, such as with our square design cactus decoration . Remember that other elements can work, especially if grouped together to create a scaled shape of the wall. Work with the wall you have, not against it.

Mistake 3: Using the wrong tools

As with most home projects, using the right tools can greatly influence the outcome of a project. Hanging wall decor is no exception.

The first step in 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 you with this step. Cut paper in the shape of the wall decoration you want to hang. Tape them to the wall to determine the ideal location. This will prevent you from making too many unnecessary holes in the wall .

Now that you have a plan, the next step is to hook it up. It is essential to have the right equipment. Consider the type of wall and the part of the wall you are working on. For example: If it is a drywall or plaster wall , consider a wall anchor. Wood screws are highly recommended on wooden walls. Cement and brick walls may require a lead anchor . Heavy wall decor needs a thick, solid anchor. There are many options to create a solid 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 spirit level.

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

We hope you can now easily spot these wall hanging mistakes in your home and have the tips and knowledge to correct them! And if you also want to decorate one of your exterior walls, discover our 8 exterior decoration ideas , they are specially designed to be put on a house facade and in your garden. Happy decorating!