7 Wall Art Mistakes to Avoid When Hanging Your Prints
By Murello · 14 October 2026 · 3 min read
You've found the perfect print, but once it's on the wall, something feels off? More often than not, the problem isn't the artwork but the way it's been hung. Here are the seven wall art mistakes we see most often, and how to fix them without starting from scratch.
1. Hanging your print too high
This is mistake number one. Out of habit, we hang frames close to the ceiling, and the artwork ends up floating, cut off from the rest of the room. The gallery rule is simple: the centre of the image at 145-150 cm from the floor, at eye level. Above a sofa, leave 15 to 25 cm between the back of the sofa and the bottom of the frame.
2. Choosing a size that's too small
A single A4 print above a two-metre sofa looks lost. Remember the two-thirds rule: the artwork, or group of artworks, should cover roughly two-thirds of the width of the furniture below it. If your favourite print is small, group it with others or go up a size.
3. Spacing frames at random
In a pair, a trio or a gallery wall, uneven gaps instantly make things look messy. Keep the same spacing throughout, between 5 and 8 cm. For a canvas triptych, a 5 cm gap between panels lets the three canvases read as a single image.
4. Ignoring the light
A print facing a window or under a strong spotlight can become impossible to see because of reflections. A few simple fixes:
- go for matte paper, which keeps glare to a minimum;
- choose a canvas, which needs no glass or frame;
- avoid direct sunlight, which eventually dulls the colours of any print.
5. Forgetting the scale of the room
A narrow hallway shouldn't be decorated like a living room. In a corridor where you stand a metre from the wall, choose A3 or 30 × 40 cm prints and designs that reward a closer look, such as typography or fine illustrations. In a large room, be bold with 70 × 100 cm or a large canvas.
6. Mixing too many styles with no common thread
A Scandinavian poster, a vintage photo, a pop art print and an abstract canvas can live together, as long as they share something. Without it, the wall looks cluttered. Pick a common thread: a palette of two or three colours, matching frames or a single theme. A black-and-white typography print, like our quote print, is a safe bet for linking very different pieces.
7. Hanging without a plan
Drilling by eye usually means drilling twice. Before you fix anything:
- Cut paper templates to the size of your frames.
- Stick them to the wall with masking tape.
- Mark the exact position of the hook on each template.
- Check the whole layout with a spirit level, then drill through the paper.
Bonus: keeping your prints looking good
A well-cared-for print keeps its good looks for a long time. Frame it where you can, dust the frame with a soft dry cloth and clean acrylic glazing without alcohol-based products, which can scratch or cloud it. In a bathroom, avoid leaving paper exposed to steam: a well-sealed frame is a must.
In short
Great wall art depends less on budget than on a few simple rules: the right height, the right size, even spacing and a common thread. Keep these in mind and even a single print can transform a room.
