After a few decades spent sentenced as a decorating faux pax and the stamp of a dated home, wallpaper has made a comeback in a big way over the last few years. We’ve seen it in all styles — from large scale geometrics, to dainty toilles and everything in between. While we love that wallpaper is in style again, it can present some challenges when choosing art to hang over it. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind, plus a few rules about what not to do, AKA “the dos and don’ts of hanging art on a wall with wallpaper.”
1. DO choose art in the same style as your wallpaper.
This room works because both the art and the wallpaper have a traditional, historic feel, which results in a cohesive look.
2. DON’T just wing it.
Considered art placement is even more important when hanging art over wallpaper. Make sure you have a place for where your art will go before you start nailing — if you don’t like where the pieces end up, it’s difficult to re-arrange without having to redo your wallpaper, too.
3. DO go for a neat arrangement.
While we’re all for the eclectic, a little bit of everything gallery wall, it’s important to keep your artwork neat when you’re hanging art on wallpaper, or you risk a result that looks messy and accidental.
4. DON’T forget about scale.
Art that is the same scale as your wallpaper might get lost on the wall. Create contrast, and a distinct separation between your art and wallpaper by varying the scale of the two. Small scale wallpaper should mean large-scale art, and vice versa.
Happy Hanging!