Framed sailboat photograph hung on a narrow stairway wall, illustrating how to display wall art in challenging spaces like stairwells and tight corners.

HOW TO HANG WALL ART IN CHALLENGING PLACES: STAIRWAYS, HALLWAYS, AND MORE

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By thinking beyond traditional placements, you can turn staircases, hallways, and unexpected spaces into visually engaging areas that enhance the overall flow of your home. No matter where you hang your art, the key is to create balance and cohesion while making the most of the available space.

Stairway Walls

Black and white gallery wall arranged along a staircase, showing how to hang wall art that follows the angle of the stairs for a cohesive, flowing layout.

A stairway wall is a prime spot for a gallery wall, allowing artwork or framed photos to follow the incline of the stairs in an eye-catching way.

  1. Follow the Staircase Angle – Arrange artwork so that the bottom or top edges roughly follow the slope of the stairs for a natural flow.
  2. Use Consistent Spacing – Keep even spacing (typically 2 to 4 inches apart) between frames for a cohesive look.
  3. Start at Eye Level – The lowest piece should begin at least 5 feet from the bottom step to keep the arrangement from feeling too low.
  4. Use Painter’s Tape as a Guide – Create a diagonal guideline with painter’s tape that follows the staircase angle to help align your pieces.
  5. Consider a Grid or Mixed Layout – A grid-like arrangement with frames of equal sizes creates a structured look, while a mix of frame sizes gives a more casual and collected feel.

Pro Tip: For staircases with landings or large wall spaces, a more expansive gallery wall can be created, incorporating larger statement pieces alongside smaller frames.

Hallways and Narrow Walls

Framed photographs hung in a straight line along a narrow hallway wall, demonstrating how to display wall art in tight, linear spaces for visual impact.

Hallways offer a great opportunity for linear arrangements or a gallery-style display.

  1. Maintain a Consistent Centerline – Hang artwork so that the center of each piece is around 57 to 60 inches from the floor, ensuring it’s at eye level as you walk through the space.
  2. Opt for a Series or Symmetry – A row of equally spaced frames or a diptych/triptych (art spanning multiple frames) works beautifully in long hallways.
  3. Consider Vertical Stacking – For narrow walls at the end of a hallway, try a vertical arrangement of two or three stacked frames to make the most of the height.

Corner Spaces

Framed portraits and wall art arranged in a corner gallery display above built-in bookshelves, showing how to decorate challenging corner spaces with art.

Corners can be tricky, but they don’t have to be empty!

  1. Use Floating Shelves for Layered Art – Install floating picture ledges to allow for easy swapping of framed pieces without committing to nail placement.
  2. Wrap a Gallery Wall Around a Corner – Extend an existing gallery wall from one wall to another for a dynamic, wraparound effect.
  3. Hang Two Complementary Pieces – Place two matching or related artworks on adjacent walls to create visual continuity.

Between Two Windows

Two framed artworks hung vertically between windows above a tufted sofa, demonstrating how to display wall art in narrow spaces for balanced visual impact.

The narrow strip of wall between two windows is a great place for carefully selected pieces of art or photographs that complements the surrounding space.

  1. Choose a Vertical or Narrow Piece – Tall, slim artwork or a framed series of two or three stacked prints works best.
  2. Keep the Scale Balanced – Ensure the artwork isn’t wider than half the space between the windows to maintain proportion.

Behind the Stove

The space behind your stove can handle wall art—it just takes a little planning!

  1. Use Heat-Resistant Materials – Choose ceramic tile art, metal prints, or glass-framed pieces that can withstand occasional heat and splatter. Avoid anything with paper or raw canvas.
  2. Stick to Easy-Clean Surfaces – Select wall art that can be wiped down easily. Grease and steam happen, so go for materials that won’t stain or warp.
  3. Keep It High and Clear – Hang artwork at a safe distance from open flames or burners, ideally at least a few inches above your backsplash or stove hood.

Bathroom Walls

Bathrooms are full of design potential—but they also come with steam and moisture.

  1. Choose Moisture-Friendly Materials – Go for acrylic, metal, tile art, or professionally sealed frames. Avoid untreated wood or delicate paper prints.
  2. Hang Away from Splash Zones – Keep wall art clear of direct water exposure (like above the sink or near the shower). Ventilation helps, but placement still matters.
  3. Consider Thematic Touches – A pair of coastal prints or botanical sketches can instantly elevate a bathroom while standing up to humidity.
  4. Use no-drill hanging methods if you are worried about drilling or screwing into a water pipe. Or use a wall scanner that detects studs and water pipes before drilling in areas where a water pipe might be. (See Beginner’s Guide to Hanging Wall Art for no-drilling options and other wall art hanging tips). I personally alternate between three different wall scanners/stud finders, and I’ve reviewed them here . These are the ones I have:

Scroll down for a few more pics of interesting wall art placement in unique places. For more ideas, visit the Inspiration Gallery

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