I thought I was over gallery walls, but this designer-approved hanging method has changed my mind – it makes awkward corners look 'softer, layered and lived-in'

Corners – every room has them, but no one knows exactly what to do with them. Some choose to decorate a corner with a floor lamp, a tall plant, or a singular picture mounted to the wall. But there's a clever idea that demonstrates the potential of these awkward spaces, and gives corners the attention they deserve. It's called 'the corner hang'.

Coined by art dealer and founder of Wallflower Art Gallery Annalise Holasz, the corner hang is a method of decorating with artwork that takes advantage of corners that are often left bare. 'It's based on the gallery wall idea, but it makes it a bit more niche,' Annalise explains. Often, gallery walls are hung in the center of a room, perhaps over a sofa on a blank wall. The corner hang shifts the art and the attention to a different part of the room – the corner.

'By doing the corner hang, you can make a boxy room feel a bit softer. It can also be a way to make a room look more colorful, layered, and lived-in,' Annalise tells me. The corner hang is fun, different, and an unexpected way to approach a gallery wall.

Just like developing a gallery wall, creating the corner hang in your home isn't hard – it just takes time. After all, the best display walls are adorned with art that's been collected over time, not bought all at once.

'I always say start with one or two hero pieces – something that you really love and something that is sentimental to you,' Annalise recommends. 'Get going with that, and then keep adding different pieces over time. And don’t be afraid to mix pieces. Different mediums are good, different sizes are good, and different frames in a gallery wall are good, too.'

Although not required, it can be helpful to establish a theme for the corner hang. 'Personally, I like to use color as a theme,' Annalise tells me. 'When I group paintings together, I often do so according to color. This will make a corner display feel cohesive because the colors are aligned.'

You can also match the artwork in the corner hang with the interior design style of your home. For instance, if you have a coastal-themed interior, try developing a corner hang with ocean images and artwork in shades of blue and white. This can develop a level of cohesion.

It also helps to incorporate unconventional objects in the corner hang since by default, the corner hang is an unconventional display. 'Bonus points if you add some random objects, and by random, I mean something that’s meaningful to you – a memento,' Annalise says. By adding things to your walls that aren't prints, things you wouldn't normally expect to see on a wall, like a plate or a postcard, your corner hang will look that much more unique.

Of course, one of the biggest concerns that arises with the corner hang is the question of balance in interiors. Normally, a gallery wall is mounted centrally in a room, ensuring an evenly positioned display. But when it comes to arranging a cluster of art in the corner, how do you avoid an off-balance look? According to Annalise, use an anchor.

'The corner hang works well when you have an anchor – a piece of furniture in that corner,' Annalise explains. Whether that's a table, a chair, or a couch, an anchor can ground the space, reduce visual imbalance, and set the scene for the corner hang above.

In terms of the corner hang itself, it doesn't matter how many pictures you hang on the wall. Just try to incorporate different sizes in a cohesive manner to ensure the overall balance of the display – just as you would do for a normal gallery wall.

One of the best things about the corner hang is that it can be done anywhere in the home – anywhere there's a corner, that is. While it can benefit larger spaces like a living room, it can also be done in smaller spaces like a bathroom. The corner hang can make even the most boring corners ten times more interesting and exciting to look at.

As an unconventional wall decor idea, the corner hang flips the script on how we traditionally hang art in the home. After all, there are no rules for hanging art, as Annalise tells me. 'These walls are yours – if you want to get the most out of them and enjoy living there, just go for it,' she says.

If you're interested in trying the corner hang for yourself, find everything you need to get started below.

Shop 'the corner hang' edit

The corner hang might be an unconventional way to display art, but it's nonetheless a unique decorating idea that can turn an awkward corner into the most stylish spot of the home. Like Annalise says, start with one sentimental piece, and let the corner hang grow from there. Just remember, you can never go wrong when decorating with things that reflect your personality.