Other than having a typical gallery wall, hanging tapestries is an excellent alternative if you want to decorate your bare walls. Many people might have the idea that hanging tapestries could result in your space looking like a cathedral, but this is a misconception. There are plenty of tapestry styles you can choose from—from vintage ones to fabrics—and with the right design, you can give your space a wonderful look.
Photo: AdobeStock
Effective use of wall tapestries will instantly give your room added texture and color. Tapestries can also be ideal decor for personalizing your room. So, if you’re looking for some inspiration on how to hang your tapestries, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are four different ways to hang your tapestries.
However, if your tapestry, or any other form of wall art you have for that matter, is thin and light, it’s not advisable to use a hammer and nails. Instead, you can substitute nails for some thumbtacks or pushpins, so as to avoid damaging your tapestry. Using the latter option is also much safer, considering that nails are more prone to causing injury or damage. In fact, in the UK, there have been over 15,000 incidents of injuries caused by nails. That said, it’s important to consider your safety when hanging up tapestries with this method. (1)
Using adhesive hooks is the best choice if you’re simply renting a room or if you’re always on the move. This is because you can easily hang your tapestries up and conveniently take them down when needed.
Here are some tips when hanging tapestries using adhesive hooks:
However, if your tapestry doesn’t come with a casing, you can sew on some heavyweight fabric across the back of your tapestry in lieu of one. Make sure that the sewn-on fabric matches the width of your rod. If you’re not confident about your sewing skills yet still want to use this hanging method, you can consult a seamstress for help.
Additionally, using Velcro is best if you have an arched wall. With its convenience and the fact that it won’t cause any damage, it’s the go-to method used by curators when they hang tapestries in museums.
To start using Velcro for your tapestries, get a Velcro strip smaller than the width of the tapestry. As for its size, choose one that’s between a half-inch to four inches long. If your tapestry is heavy and bulky, it would be best to use a lengthy Velcro strip. Additionally, make sure that the frizzy side of the Velcro is what goes on the back of the tapestry, while the stiff side should be facing the wood or baseboard. Once you’ve sewn the Velcro onto the tapestry, press the strips together and smoothen all bumps and lumps. (3)
With these qualities, as well as the ideas presented above on how to hang them properly, you can now rest assured that you can fully utilize the value that tapestries can bring to your home.
References:
1. “Hammer Accidents In The UK”, https://tooladvice.co.uk/hammer-accidents-uk
2. “How To Hang A Tapestry: 10 Different Styles”, https://www.pbteen.com/tips-and-ideas/how-to-hang-a-tapestry
3. “How To Hang A Tapestry 8 Different Ways”, https://www.rugknots.com/blogs/home-inspiration-ideas-for-decor/8-ways-to-hang-tapestry
4. “Why Tapestries Have Become A Popular Home Décor Choice”, https://www.streetdirectory.com/etoday/-wflfcl.html
Photo: AdobeStock
Effective use of wall tapestries will instantly give your room added texture and color. Tapestries can also be ideal decor for personalizing your room. So, if you’re looking for some inspiration on how to hang your tapestries, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are four different ways to hang your tapestries.
1. Nails or thumbtacks
One of the simplest and easiest ways to hang your tapestries is by using a hammer and nails. To start, nail a specific corner of the tapestry onto your wall, then nail in the opposite corner based on your desired drape. You can space the nails further apart to achieve a taut look, or you can place the nails closer together if you’re going for a draped look.However, if your tapestry, or any other form of wall art you have for that matter, is thin and light, it’s not advisable to use a hammer and nails. Instead, you can substitute nails for some thumbtacks or pushpins, so as to avoid damaging your tapestry. Using the latter option is also much safer, considering that nails are more prone to causing injury or damage. In fact, in the UK, there have been over 15,000 incidents of injuries caused by nails. That said, it’s important to consider your safety when hanging up tapestries with this method. (1)
Adhesive hooks
If you’re concerned about damaging your walls, then the first option is obviously out of the picture. Fortunately, you can still hang your tapestries—or any art you’ve bought—without ruining your walls. This can be achieved with adhesive hooks.Using adhesive hooks is the best choice if you’re simply renting a room or if you’re always on the move. This is because you can easily hang your tapestries up and conveniently take them down when needed.
Here are some tips when hanging tapestries using adhesive hooks:
- To hang it on wall hooks, tie loops of string to the top corner of the tapestry.
- If you have the skills, attach grommets to the tapestry’s corners. This way, it can easily be hung without fabric fraying.
- If you want some glam, you can use curtain rings when hanging your tapestries. (2)
Rod in casing
Some tapestries may come with a casing for a rod. If this is the case for your tapestry, then you can use this as your hanging method. Casings will simplify the hanging process, since all you have to do is simply slip the rod in and hang it on the wall with nails or thumbtacks.However, if your tapestry doesn’t come with a casing, you can sew on some heavyweight fabric across the back of your tapestry in lieu of one. Make sure that the sewn-on fabric matches the width of your rod. If you’re not confident about your sewing skills yet still want to use this hanging method, you can consult a seamstress for help.
Velcro
If you’re still undecided regarding the placement of your tapestries or if you still want to experiment with which position looks best, then you might want to opt for Velcro. This option is also good if you’re renting a place, as you wouldn’t want to lose your security deposit by ruining the walls.Additionally, using Velcro is best if you have an arched wall. With its convenience and the fact that it won’t cause any damage, it’s the go-to method used by curators when they hang tapestries in museums.
To start using Velcro for your tapestries, get a Velcro strip smaller than the width of the tapestry. As for its size, choose one that’s between a half-inch to four inches long. If your tapestry is heavy and bulky, it would be best to use a lengthy Velcro strip. Additionally, make sure that the frizzy side of the Velcro is what goes on the back of the tapestry, while the stiff side should be facing the wood or baseboard. Once you’ve sewn the Velcro onto the tapestry, press the strips together and smoothen all bumps and lumps. (3)
Final words
In addition to being wonderful wall decor, tapestries are also known to encourage tranquil and reflective moments, both of which may help elevate your spirit. They can also be the perfect conversation starter, which is good if you love inviting guests over to your house. (4)With these qualities, as well as the ideas presented above on how to hang them properly, you can now rest assured that you can fully utilize the value that tapestries can bring to your home.
References:
1. “Hammer Accidents In The UK”, https://tooladvice.co.uk/hammer-accidents-uk
2. “How To Hang A Tapestry: 10 Different Styles”, https://www.pbteen.com/tips-and-ideas/how-to-hang-a-tapestry
3. “How To Hang A Tapestry 8 Different Ways”, https://www.rugknots.com/blogs/home-inspiration-ideas-for-decor/8-ways-to-hang-tapestry
4. “Why Tapestries Have Become A Popular Home Décor Choice”, https://www.streetdirectory.com/etoday/-wflfcl.html