3 secrets to displaying art in ways that make your home feel happy by Kit Kemp
Interior designer Kit Kemp knows a thing or two about gallery walls, and here are her secrets for making your home feel happy



Kit Kemp's hotels are known for putting a smile on the faces of all who enter. From London's Ham Yard and Charlotte Street to New York's The Whitby, they're brimming with pattern, color and wonderful gallery wall ideas.
'When you turn the key and enter the house, and suddenly, somehow you feel like it's eternal spring – that to me is a happy home,’ Kit explains. ‘If there’s a dog in there wagging its tail, even better.’
‘The way you design your home can without a doubt make you happier! It's the first thing you see when you wake up in the morning and what you come back to at the end of the day – it should give you an enormous amount of pleasure. Happy homes and happy people are synonymous with one another.’
Kit is famed for her love of craftsmanship and artistry, and it's this that is her secret ingredient. ‘There's something transcendent about looking at wonderful art, and art in the home tells a story. Pieces on the walls communicate so much about yourself and who you are, and also your history, because it will bring back a memory of a time in your life – it's the story of your life, and we don't have to write a novel, but it's there in front of you.’
Here are her secrets to displaying art for maximum happy-making effect:
Gallery walls
If you're wondering how to create the perfect gallery wall, Kit says it doesn't have to revolve around art. ‘If you’re creating a gallery wall, don’t just incorporate pictures – you can add anything!' Kit says. 'Funny little things can be framed and become part of your story, items from bowling shoes (which I have framed), to handkerchiefs, collections of keys, to that embroidered shawl that you bought in Guatemala. There will be things in your life that are actually very decorative – so start a collection!'
DIY art, and the small touches that help to finesse your own work
‘Art and collections shouldn't just be constrained to a major artist – get involved and make your own,' Kit says encouragingly. 'We made a piece for a project by gathering loads and loads of paper butterflies and displaying them in a clear box, which suddenly made it feel very contemporary (try putting coloured or black felt at the back of the box so everything that you put in it stands forward). We've also done potato prints and framed them in such a way that they look absolutely amazing. This is happy art, rather than living with a Picasso!’
Wall space, and how to make the most of it
Art in Kit's own home
When hanging art, there are tricks to getting it right. ‘It’s important to look at your hung art as a whole wall,' Kit says. 'If you have one large piece, don’t crowd other pieces around it – you have to give your art space and let it breathe. If you have too many fabulous artworks, they almost cancel each other out. Making the most of corners in the room for hanging art can help with this, corners are so often overlooked. If you hang art in a corner, it draws the eye and makes the room seem bigger, just make sure to light the art too!’.
Be The First To Know
The Livingetc newsletters are your inside source for what’s shaping interiors now - and what’s next. Discover trend forecasts, smart style ideas, and curated shopping inspiration that brings design to life. Subscribe today and stay ahead of the curve.

Amy Moorea Wong is a color authority and contemporary interior design writer who has specialized in all things decorating for over a decade. Amy is Livingetc magazine’s Colour Expert, Interiors Editor at The Glossary magazine and a Contributing Editor at Homes & Gardens magazine, and she frequently contributes to an array of global publications to share her insights on interior design zeitgeist. Her book Kaleidoscope: Modern Homes in Every Colour explores a collection of cool colorful homes fizzing with creativity, surprises, and inspiration.
-
Don't Fall Into the Trap of These Tacky and Dated Patio Furniture Buys — Here, Designers Share the Styles to Shop Instead
It's time to retire those brightly-colored plastic chairs and ugly buttoned upholstery...
-
10 Loft Stair Ideas That Turn Functional Steps Into a Stylish Statement
These clever staircase solutions from designers and architects promise to elevate your space in more ways than one
-
What Is the Difference Between Art Nouveau and Art Deco? Here's How to Distinguish the 20th-Century Design Movements
Though the may share a similar name and era, the two design styles have varying distinguishable elements
-
How high should you hang art above furniture? The magic number designers use for gauging picture perfect walls
This is the ideal height to hang art above your furniture, and the different factors that will affect it
-
'Your art should be in conversation with each other' – how to coordinate wall decor in a room for a curated display
It's not all about gallery walls – our guide to coordinating wall art will help you make the most of your collection and enhance your scheme
-
How to decide if you should custom frame your art – 5 expert tips for getting your gallery wall on point
Should you invest in custom framing? From the size of the piece to the monetary value, these expert tips will help navigate the process
-
What stress? Here's how your home renovation can be like therapy, according to an architect
A happy home begins with briefing your designer or architect. Here's how to put your wellbeing at the center of it, as explained by an architect
-
Matthew Williamson's perfect expert tips for sourcing art online
The fashion turned interior designer Matthew Williamson knows just how to scour for and source the best pieces of art online
-
The decor secrets to making your home a happier place to live by Martyn Lawrence Bullard
Interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard reveals the final flourishes that elevate a home and boost your mood, too
-
How to decorate to make your home feel happy by Yinka Ilori
Using paint and pattern to feel good is second nature to Yinka Ilori. Here's his advice for embracing that spirit yourself