Artwork is one of the quickest ways to change the feel of a room. It can introduce colour, tell a story, reference places you've travelled, or simply become something you enjoy looking at every day.
As an interior designer and stylist, sourcing and placing artwork is one of my favourite parts of a project. But choosing the artwork is only half the equation. Where it's placed, how it's framed and what surrounds it can have just as much influence on the final result.
From off-centre placements to gallery-style lighting, here are five creative ways to hang artwork that can make your home feel more personal, elevated and uniquely yours.
Image Source: No.158 Residence designed by Tom Mark Henry and styled by Kerrie-Ann Jones.
1. TRY AN OFF-CENTRE PLACEMENT
Not every artwork needs to sit perfectly centred above a bed, sofa or console.
Symmetry can be beautiful, but some of the most interesting interiors embrace a little asymmetry. Shifting an artwork slightly to one side can create a more relaxed arrangement and draw attention to the surrounding furniture, lighting and styling elements.
This approach works particularly well in spaces that feel overly formal or predictable. It introduces visual tension and can make a room feel less rigid without requiring any major changes.
The key is ensuring the overall composition still feels balanced. A piece may sit off-centre, but it should still feel connected to the furniture and objects around it.
One of my favourite ways to do this is by pairing artwork with a table lamp, wall light or sculptural object. Rather than treating the artwork as a standalone feature, it becomes part of a broader vignette.
If you've always defaulted to centring artwork, try shifting it slightly and see how the room responds. Sometimes the most interesting result is the one you weren't expecting.
Image Source: Goldwyn House curated by homeowner David Alhadeff of The Future Perfect, featured in CURATED STYLE: Artfully Edited Homes by Kerrie-Ann Jones.
2. LOOK BEYOND THE LIVING ROOM
Artwork doesn't need to be reserved for living rooms and bedrooms.
Some of my favourite placements are in spaces people tend to overlook. A small painting above a doorway. A vintage sketch in a powder room. A framed photograph in a laundry. A ceramic wall sculpture in a kitchen.
These moments can be surprisingly impactful because they're unexpected. They encourage people to notice a space differently and often become the details guests remember most.
Artwork has a way of softening functional rooms and making them feel more personal. Kitchens, bathrooms and laundries are often filled with hard surfaces, so introducing artwork can help create contrast and bring another layer into the space.
Above a doorway is another opportunity that's frequently overlooked. A small artwork placed above a door frame can draw the eye upward and create interest in an area that might otherwise go unnoticed.
The most personal homes don't reserve art for the "important" rooms. They weave these pieces throughout the entire house.
Image Source: Notting Hill residence designed by Arcola Studio.
3. PUT IT IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Gallery-style lighting is one of the most effective ways to elevate artwork.
A picture light or carefully positioned wall light does far more than simply illuminate a piece. It highlights texture, colour and detail, while helping artwork become a stronger feature within the room.
Lighting also changes the way artwork is experienced at night. Rather than disappearing once the sun goes down, it remains part of the atmosphere of the home.
For the most natural result, I generally recommend a warm white globe around 2700K to 3000K. This temperature helps preserve the colours within the artwork while creating a softer, more inviting atmosphere than cooler white lighting.
It's also worth paying attention to placement. The goal is to illuminate the artwork evenly without creating harsh reflections or glare. If you're using a picture light, I generally recommend selecting a fitting that's approximately half to two-thirds the width of the frame.
Gallery-style lighting isn't just for large paintings either. It can work beautifully above photography, vintage pieces, smaller works and even wall-mounted ceramics.
Done well, lighting draws attention to artwork while also contributing to the overall ambience of a room.
Image Source: Toronto home curated by Montana Labelle, featured in CURATED STYLE: Artfully Edited Homes by Kerrie-Ann Jones.
4. BREAK GALLERY WALL RULES
Gallery walls have been around for decades, but some of the most interesting examples don't follow a strict formula.
Rather than arranging everything in a perfect grid, think about building a gallery wall that feels more organic and evolves over time.
Mix horizontal and vertical works. Combine paintings with photography. Introduce ceramics, wall sculptures or textile pieces alongside framed artwork. The variation in material, scale and texture creates a far more engaging result than a collection of matching frames.
I also encourage clients to think beyond the boundaries of furniture. A gallery wall doesn't always need to stop neatly above a sofa or sideboard. Allowing artwork to extend wider can make the display feel more integrated with the architecture of the room.
One mistake I see regularly is people waiting until they have every piece before they start. Often, the most impactful gallery walls develop gradually, collecting artworks, photographs and meaningful objects over time.
If you're planning a gallery wall of your own, I've shared a more detailed step-by-step guide on my journal here. 
Image Source: Balmain Residence designed by Parker Studio and styled by Kerrie-Ann Jones.
5. LET SMALL ARTWORK BREATHE
For years, oversized artwork dominated interior design. More recently, there has been a growing appreciation for smaller, more intimate works.
A tiny painting surrounded by generous negative space can be incredibly powerful.
Rather than competing with everything around it, it invites you to spend more time with the piece. It changes the viewing experience, encouraging a closer, more personal interaction.
Custom framing is what makes this approach work. Oversized mat boards, floating mounts, double mats and deeper-profile frames can transform even the smallest artwork into something that feels substantial.
This technique works particularly well with antique drawings, vintage photographs, smaller contemporary works and portrait studies.
There is also something playful about the contrast. In a world where large-scale artwork has become the default, a tiny artwork displayed confidently on a large wall feels unexpected.
I've also seen this approach work beautifully within gallery walls. A collection of smaller works framed consistently with generous matting can have just as much impact as a single oversized piece.
It's a reminder that scale isn't always about size. Sometimes it's about the amount of space you're willing to give something.
Image Source: Balmain Residence designed by Parker Studio and styled by Kerrie-Ann Jones.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Artwork has the ability to completely change how a home feels, but it's not just about what you hang. It's also about how you choose to display it.
Whether that's experimenting with asymmetry, introducing gallery lighting, hanging artwork in unexpected locations or giving a small piece room to breathe, presentation can completely change the way artwork is experienced.
Over the years, I've found that the most memorable homes aren't necessarily filled with the most expensive artworks. They're the homes where art has been displayed with confidence, creativity and a clear point of view.
NEED HELP STYLING ARTWORK IN YOUR HOME?
Choosing artwork is one thing. Knowing where to place it, how to frame it and how to integrate it into the broader design of your home is often where people need guidance.
I offer end-to-end interior design and styling services, as well as personalised 55-minute interior styling and design consultations available in person in Sydney or online via Zoom.
These sessions are designed for people who want expert advice without committing to a full-service interior designer. Whether you're selecting artwork for a single wall or refining an entire home, I can help you create a space that feels personal and uniquely yours.
FAQ: CREATIVE WAYS TO HANG ARTWORK
Should artwork always be centred above furniture?
Not at all. While centred artwork can work beautifully, asymmetrical placements can create a more relaxed and visually interesting result. Shifting a piece slightly off-centre can also help create a stronger connection between artwork, furniture, lighting and decorative objects within a room.
Can artwork be hung in bathrooms, kitchens and laundries?
Absolutely. These spaces are often overlooked when decorating a home, yet they can be some of the most rewarding places to display artwork. A small painting, photograph or ceramic wall piece can bring personality into a functional room and make it feel more connected to the rest of the home.
What colour temperature is best for artwork lighting?
In most homes, a warm white light between 2700K and 3000K works best. It creates a softer atmosphere while allowing colours and textures within the artwork to be appreciated accurately. Cooler temperatures can sometimes feel harsh and may alter the appearance of the piece, particularly in the evening.
Positioning is equally important. Aim to illuminate the artwork evenly while avoiding glare and reflections.
How do I choose artwork for my home?
Start with artwork you genuinely connect with rather than trying to match a sofa, rug or paint colour. The pieces that tend to last are usually the ones that evoke a feeling, memory or emotional response.
If you're unsure where to begin, I've shared my full process in my guide: How to Choose Art for Your Home.
You can also browse my collection of favourite artworks, sourced from artists and makers across Australia and internationally, available for global shipping.
How do I create a gallery wall?
The most successful gallery walls balance consistency and variation. Start by identifying one common thread, whether that's a colour palette, frame finish, subject matter or style, then introduce variety through scale and medium.
Before hanging anything, lay the pieces out on the floor and experiment with different arrangements. This allows you to refine the layout before committing to the wall.
For a step-by-step guide, you can read this here.
Can small artwork still make an impact?
Absolutely. Small artworks can be incredibly effective when paired with generous matting, custom framing and plenty of negative space around them. In many cases, giving a small piece room to breathe creates a stronger result than trying to fill every inch of wall space.
Is gallery-style lighting worth the investment?
If artwork plays an important role in your home, I believe it is. Gallery-style lighting not only helps highlight colour, texture and detail, but also allows artwork to remain part of the room after dark. It can completely change the way a piece is experienced.
