Whilst your decorative staircase parts may be the focal point of your hallway, you can really help to add a personal touch to your stairs by introducing a gallery of photographs or paintings.
However, believe it or not, there's actually an art to laying out photo frames and canvases along your stairs - get it wrong, and you could end up with a dull and uneven display that ruins the appearance of your stairway!
So, continue reading this blog to discover how to create the ultimate staircase gallery, straight from the experts at Stair Crazy - one of the leaders in outstanding quality metal and oak stair parts manufacturing.
How to Design a Stairs Gallery
Creating a gallery is an excellent and effective addition to your staircase project, and it's easier to do than you may think! Here's how you can go about making your decorative arrangement:
1. Consider the size and configuration of your stairway
Before you start purchasing frames and ordering custom canvases, you'll need to evaluate how much stair space you have to play with, and the shape of your staircase.
Broader staircases and stairs in large open-plan spaces can accommodate a wide range of gallery layouts and styles, which we'll get to later on.
However, narrow stairways and those enclosed within two walls need a little more thought due to the lack of space. For example, fitting an extensive collection of wall hangings in a more condensed space can make the area feel far too cluttered.
In the case of narrower staircases, installing mirrors into your gallery can actually help to make the stairway feel more spacious than it is!
2. Choosing the right elements for your staircase gallery
Your desired aesthetic is the most important factor when deciding what wall hanging to place on your stair walls.
For example, you may desire a personalised gallery made up of family photographs, memorabilia or images from your photography portfolio. Or you could prefer to go down the artwork route with a selection of painted canvases or prints.
If your style is minimalistic and contemporary, it's recommended that you stick to one theme. For example, the images or prints you select should be similar and keep in line with the simplicity and sleekness of modern aesthetics.
Classic decors should include decorative elements and follow an elegant theme and thoughtful colour scheme.
But, if you're looking for something quirkier, you can mix and match aesthetics, bringing in a fusion of bold colours, textures and vintage imagery.
3. Selecting the right frames
Your home decor and available stairway room will influence the style and size of the frame you opt for.
Modern staircases with glass panels or metal spindles work exceptionally well with sleek black or white frames. Whereas elaborate and decorative frames are the best way to go with bohemian aesthetics.
For rustic looks, you can't go wrong with subtle straw-coloured wooden frames.
However, make sure your gallery frames match the vibe of your stair parts - investing in heavily traditional and decorative frames would look out of place next to a modern staircase made up of straight lines.
Additionally, if you're short on wall space and stair width, it's best to avoid large and chunky frames that protrude into the stairway.
4. Hanging your staircase gallery frames
Finally, it's time to consider the arrangement of your canvases or frames.
Narrow staircases will benefit from a simple layout that keeps in line with the gradual rise of your stairs.
If you have wider stairs, you certainly have more freedom with your wall hanging arrangement as you don't need to worry about space - you could opt for a randomised appearance with different-sized frames and mirrors. Maybe the idea of a squared collection of frames appeals more to you than a linear style.
Whatever you decide, be sure to plan before you hang your gallery - this way, you won't needlessly damage your walls by hammering in multiple hooks that you don't end up using. You can do this by placing masking tape along your stair walls to gain an accurate understanding of how your arrangement will look!
Adding a stunning gallery to your staircase is a superb way to help boost your home decor, draw attention to your stylish stair parts and give your house a personal touch.
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