Staircase Wall Decor Ideas
To hang art up the stairs, follow the angle of the staircase: keep the centre of each print at the same height above the step directly below it, so the whole group climbs in a straight diagonal line. Equal gaps and one shared colour or frame style are what make a staircase wall look planned.
Below: how to hang pictures on a staircase step by step, layouts that work, how many prints and what sizes, and ideas for the landing.
Prints for this look
How to hang pictures up the stairs
- Plan on the floor first. Lay the prints out in order on the floor or landing and adjust the spacing until it looks even.
- Mark the line. On the bottom step and the top step, measure up to eye level, about 145 to 150 cm, and mark the wall. Join the two marks with a pencil line or masking tape. This is the line your print centres will follow.
- Hang the middle print first. Centre it on the line, then work up and down the stairs from there.
- Keep the gaps equal. 5 to 8 cm between frames works for most staircases. Measure each gap rather than judging by eye, because the angle tricks you.
- Level every frame. The group follows the stairs, but each print hangs straight. Use a spirit level on each one.
Start a little in from the bottom step and stop short of the top, so the art sits within the flight rather than spilling onto the walls either end.
Staircase layouts that work
- A diagonal row of equal sizes. The calmest option and the best choice for a narrow staircase. A run of A3 prints in matching frames is easy to get right.
- A climbing gallery wall. Mix A2, A3 and A4 prints, keeping the top and bottom edges of the whole group roughly parallel to the stairs. Use one larger print as the anchor halfway up.
- One large print on the landing. A tall A1 or A0 print at the top or turn of the stairs gives you something to look at as you climb, without a lot of drilling.
- A stacked pair on a tall stairwell wall. Two A1 prints hung one above the other fill a double-height wall better than lots of small pieces.
Plan the layout before you drill with the gallery wall planner.
How many prints, and what size?
For a straight flight, a rough guide is one print for every two or three steps. Odd numbers, such as three, five or seven, tend to look more natural than even ones. Prints do not need to be the same size, but if you mix them, link them with one shared colour or matching frames.
Keep safety in mind on stairs. Use two fixings for anything A2 or larger, avoid deep frames that stick out on a narrow staircase, and choose lightweight frames over heavy ones, as people will brush past them every day.
Choosing art for a staircase wall
Stairs are a walk-past space, so bold graphic prints, strong colours and simple shapes read well at a glance. A theme helps a long run feel connected: botanicals, travel posters, black and white photography or one colour family all work. You can mix family photos in with prints, as long as the frames and gaps match.
Browse our gallery wall art for prints designed to sit together, or the black and white prints for a calm, consistent run.
Sizes at a glance
| Size | Centimetres | Inches | Works for |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 21 x 29.7 | 8.3 x 11.7 | Shelves, desks, small gaps, sets of 3 |
| A3 | 29.7 x 42 | 11.7 x 16.5 | Hallways, side walls, pairs |
| A2 | 42 x 59.4 | 16.5 x 23.4 | Above a sideboard or small sofa, the anchor of a gallery wall |
| A1 | 59.4 x 84.1 | 23.4 x 33.1 | Above a standard sofa or bed |
| A0 | 84.1 x 118.9 | 33.1 x 46.8 | Large walls, open-plan rooms, statement pieces |
All our A sizes fit standard off-the-shelf frames, and every print is made to order on museum-grade matte paper.
