How to Hang Art in a Chalet: The Complete Technical Guide
The right artwork can transform a room, but hanging it correctly is just as important. In a chalet, features like sloped ceilings and wood-clad walls can make hanging artworks more challenging, while also creating some of the best places to display art.
This guide covers the essential rules for positioning artworks, followed by technical considerations for different chalet wall types.
How High Should You Hang Art?
For artworks on an open wall, a useful starting point is to position the centre of the artwork approximately 145–150 cm from the floor. Measure to the centre of the artwork itself, rather than the top of the frame or the hanging point. This is often called the 57-inch rule.
For example, if your artwork is 60 cm high and you want its centre at 145 cm:
- Artwork height: 60 cm
- Half the artwork height: 30 cm
- Centre point: 145 cm
- Bottom of artwork: 115 cm
- Top of artwork: 175 cm
Room proportions and surrounding architecture, such as double-height ceilings, may mean you need to adjust this. Use the rule as a starting point, then trust your eye.
Photo courtesy of Pinterest, Norvielle Home
Hanging Art Above Furniture
When artwork is positioned above furniture, the furniture becomes the main reference point rather than the floor. As a rule, leave approximately 15–20 cm between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the artwork so the art feels connected to the furniture rather than floating too high.
Above a sofa
This distance can be increased if you are worried about children bumping into the artwork or if the sofa has a lower-than-standard back.
Photo courtesy of Claire Collins Interiors, art by Chalet Art Store
Above a bed
Centre the artwork over the bed or headboard, rather than automatically using the centre of the wall. The artwork should generally remain within the width of the headboard.
Our Landscape Format Artworks and Panoramic Artworks work wonderfully over a bed. The panoramic selection works particularly well if the ceiling is low.
Photo courtesy of Studio Burges
If there is no headboard, use the bed as your visual reference and keep the artwork safely away from pillows and bedding. You can also hang a couple of artworks asymmetrically for a more curated look.
Photo courtesy of Atelier Giffon
If you have a double-height ceiling above a bed or a sloped ceiling, a portrait-format artwork can also work. Browse our Portrait Artworks.
Photo courtesy of Chalet Art Store
Above a console or sideboard
Account for objects sitting on the furniture, such as lamps or vases, so the composition does not feel crowded. It is fine for a lamp to partially cover the artwork, but consider the size of the lampshade.
You could try raising the artwork to approximately 30 cm above the furniture, or if the piece is very low, revert to the 57-inch rule. Proportion is essential, so consider the size of the artwork as part of the whole composition.
Photo courtesy of Pinterest, source unknown
Getting the Scale Right
Scale is one of the most common reasons artwork does not look right once it is on the wall.
Above furniture, the art should be two-thirds to three-quarters of the furniture's width as a useful starting point. This applies to the overall width of the artwork arrangement, so several pieces can be combined to achieve the correct scale.
On a large empty wall, consider the wall size, ceiling height and surrounding architecture. A small print can look lost on a large chalet wall, while an oversized artwork can overwhelm a narrow space. When choosing between two sizes, slightly larger is often more effective than too small, particularly in rooms with high ceilings.
For a quick reference:
| Sofa width | Approximate artwork width |
|---|---|
| 180 cm | 117–135 cm |
| 200 cm | 130–150 cm |
| 240 cm | 156–180 cm |
| 280 cm | 182–210 cm |
| 300 cm | 195–225 cm |
Always measure twice and make sure the artwork fits when framed.
Photo courtesy of Pinterest, source unknown
Pairing Different Artworks
Different artworks do not need to match exactly to work together. Look for a visual connection such as similar colours and tones, a shared subject or landscape, similar frame finishes, or related artistic styles.
The pieces can vary in size, orientation and subject while still feeling cohesive. When hanging multiple artworks, establish the centre and overall dimensions of the complete arrangement first, rather than positioning each piece independently.
A gap of approximately 5–10 cm between frames is a useful starting point for smaller groupings, such as above a sofa. More generous spacing can be used when you want the artworks to feel more individual.
Photo courtesy of Chalet Art Store
Hanging Art in Awkward Chalet Spaces
Sloping ceilings, exposed beams, double-height ceilings, staircases and irregular walls can all affect where artworks should sit.
Do not automatically align artworks with the ceiling or other architectural features. Instead, consider the visual lines of the space, how the artwork will be viewed, and where it sits in relation to the furniture. A lower-hung piece may work better beneath a sloping ceiling than one forced higher to follow a standard centre height.
Mark the outline of the artwork on the wall with decorator's tape so you can see the composition before making the purchase or drilling.
Browse by size, landscape format, panoramic format, or portrait format.
Photo courtesy of Atelier Giffon
Photo courtesy of Neil Sharp and Pinterest, source unknown
Technical Guide: Hanging Art on Different Wall Types
The correct fixing depends on three things:
- Wall construction
- Artwork weight
- Hanging hardware
A fixing suitable for a lightweight print on plasterboard may be unsuitable for a large framed artwork on masonry. Always check the fixing's weight rating and hire a professional if you are unsure.
Plasterboard or drywall
For lightweight artworks, a suitable picture hook may be sufficient. Heavier pieces require a fixing designed specifically for plasterboard, such as a self-drilling plasterboard fixing or hollow-wall anchor. Where possible, fixing into a timber or metal stud provides a stronger fixing point. Do not assume a standard masonry wall plug is suitable for plasterboard.
Photo courtesy of Chalet Shop, art by Chalet Art Store
Wood-clad walls
Establish whether the timber cladding itself is strong enough to carry the artwork or whether the fixing needs to reach the structure behind it. Lightweight artwork may be fixed into sufficiently thick solid timber. Heavier pieces should be fixed into suitable structural timber or framing behind the cladding.
Photo courtesy of Neil Sharp for Catherine Lyons Interiors
Stone walls
Stone walls need extra care, particularly in older chalets where construction can be uneven or unpredictable. I advise against drilling directly into exposed stone or mortar without consulting a professional.
Concrete
Concrete provides a strong fixing surface but requires appropriate masonry or concrete drilling equipment. For heavier artwork, use a fixing system rated for the load and substrate, and take care to avoid concealed electrical cables, plumbing and reinforcement.
Crépi walls and render
Crépi is the textured plaster finish commonly found in French chalets, but it is the surface finish, not the structural wall. For anything more substantial than a lightweight artwork, drill through the crépi and fix securely into the solid wall behind it, using a plug and screw appropriate for the substrate and artwork weight. For heavy or valuable artworks, professional installation is recommended.
Photo courtesy of @Hautexposure
Before You Drill
- Measure the wall and furniture.
- Establish the centre point.
- Check the artwork's weight.
- Identify the wall construction.
- Select the correct fixing for the substrate and load.
- Check for concealed electrical cables and plumbing.
- Mark the fixing position carefully.
- Check the artwork is level.
- Test the fixing before placing valuable artwork on the wall.
- Get help when needed.
The Golden Rule
Start with the rules, then adapt them to the architecture, furniture and proportions of the room. This is particularly important in a chalet, where exposed materials, unusual wall construction and dramatic architecture are part of what makes the interior special.
If you need help decorating a whole chalet, read our guide How to Decorate a Ski Chalet for tips and inspiration.
How to Hang a Framed Picture: Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Measure the wall
For an empty wall, measure the total width of the space. Above furniture, measure the furniture and mark its centre point.
2. Measure your frame
Measure the height of the framed artwork and divide it by two to find its centre.
3. Measure the hanging point
Measure from the top of the frame down to the hanging wire, D-rings or fixing point where the nail will go.
4. Calculate where the fixing needs to go
If you want the centre of the artwork at 150 cm, add half the frame height to 150 cm, then subtract the distance from the top of the frame to the fixing point.