Hanging wall art at the right height

Hang art so its centre sits about 145 to 150 cm from the floor, roughly eye level for most adults. Above a sofa or sideboard, leave 20 to 25 cm between the furniture and the bottom of the frame, and aim for art, or a group of frames, about two-thirds the width of the furniture below.

Small pieces such as the 23 x 17 cm illustrations look stronger in a group. Lay them out on the floor or tape paper templates to the wall first, keep gaps of 5 to 8 cm between frames, and line up either the top edges or the centres. Oak and black frames mix well when the prints share a colour.

Paper prints behind glass fade in direct sun and can ripple in damp rooms, so avoid bathrooms and walls facing a bright window. Plexiglass fronts are lighter than glass and less likely to shatter, which suits a child's room or a busy corridor.