Add art to your walls

Sam – creative director at If Collective, Forge’s design and branding partner – has just moved home with her partner Mark and a large collection of framed prints.

Here, Sam shares tips on making the most of your wall space – choosing art that reflects your taste, managing your collection and arranging them in your home.

We’ve recently moved home after 16 years. We didn’t quite realise how many pieces of artwork we had on the walls until we started to bubble wrap them individually. We knew we had a lot, but didn’t think it would add up to 43 frames!

Now we’re in our new home, it will take time to decide where all our artwork will go. There’s no rush – we need to see how we live in the new spaces, and where our furniture will go. We’ve been in four weeks and already moved things around a few times – and decided that we need some new furniture.

Here’s some tips to help you (and us) curate the pictures in your new home.

Collecting and displaying

Choosing your artists and prints

• Begin with a couple of pieces that you really love – you can build more of a collection over time.
• A meaningful collection that tells your story and reflects your personality is not bought all at once.
• Think about what appeals to you visually – is it colour or texture? Do you love abstracts, landscapes, or typography?
• Support local artists. We are lucky enough to live in Sheffield, which has a vibrant art scene that continues to inspire creativity and produces an abundance of artwork that resonates with us and connects us to the place we live.
• Trust your instinct when buying artwork. If something speaks to you emotionally in some way or triggers a memory, it’s already the right choice.

Managing your collection

• Not everything needs to be on display all the time.
• Rotate with the seasons, or just when you want to refresh a space/room in your home.
• Keep extra pieces safely stored. We use bubble wrap, or you could use sheets between frames. Try to keep them stored flat, to avoid slipping in the frame.
• Keep art out of direct sunlight, if possible, to prevent fading.
• Dust frames regularly and avoid using harsh cleaning products.
• Label stored pieces clearly. This really helps when you start to build a collection, and you will thank yourself later!

Where to put them in your home

• Scale matters: larger walls need bigger or grouped pieces. Living rooms often have a focal point such as a fireplace or mantelpiece.
• For a dining room, choose something that starts a conversation – like bold abstracts or photography.
• Try more calming, restful pieces in the bedroom – minimalist pieces or landscapes with softer colours and tones. Try placing them above the bed, or opposite the bed for an eye-level view when you wake up.

Ways to use your wall space

Gallery wall

• Mix framed art, photographs, and prints in a cohesive arrangement. Combine portrait and landscape formats.
• Use a mix of large, medium, and small frames to add rhythm and movement.
• Use similar frames for a unified look, or mix and match for an eclectic feel.
• Lay out the design on the floor first before hanging.
• Where: great for hallways/living rooms and home offices. I love having a home-office gallery wall – it can really encourage creativity and bring an energy to the space.

Large statement piece

• Choose one large piece of art as a focal point for the room.
• Ideal for minimalist spaces or above a sofa, bed, or mantel.
• Where: living rooms, bedrooms, entrance halls.

Picture ledge shelves

• An easy way to swap artwork around and keep it fresh.
• Floating shelves are a great way to display framed prints – adding the odd ceramic piece can add depth and texture.
• Where: avoid in small spaces for practical reasons – otherwise, this can work in any room in the house where you need ease of rotation.

Themed or colour arrangements

• Done well, this can be striking and have real impact.
• Organise your artwork by theme, colour palette or artist.
• Makes the wall feel curated and intentional.

Summary

 
Adding art and design to our home has brought us lots of joy. We love how it transforms a space and makes it feel like home. Whatever your taste, if you like it, go for it! Your walls are your storyboard – a chance to show your personality and fill your home with moments of joy.
 

• Balance and proportion matter – let your wall space and furniture guide the size and scale.
• Mix styles thoughtfully – pair photography with abstract prints, or vintage finds with contemporary pieces.
• Group with intention – whether on a gallery wall or spread throughout, aim for cohesion through colour, theme, or frame style.
• Don’t be afraid to edit – rotating artwork seasonally or occasionally refreshing a wall keeps things feeling fresh.