Sloping walls give a room character, but they are awkward to decorate, and hanging pictures on them is the hardest part. It can be done. Here are the techniques and fixings that let you display your favourite pictures safely on a slope.
Understanding sloping walls
Slanted walls are found wherever a room sits under the roof: in loft conversions, attic bedrooms and some chalet-style houses. The slope follows the line of the roof, and its angle varies from house to house.
On an ordinary wall a picture hangs from one point and gravity holds it flat. On a slope, a picture hung from the top swings away and hangs in mid-air. So it has to be fixed at the bottom as well.
Start by measuring the wall and its angle, and finding out what is behind the surface. It is usually plasterboard, with timber rafters at intervals.
There are three approaches:
- Fix the frame top and bottom. Brackets or plates at the top and bottom of the frame hold it flat against the slope.
- Use a hanging system. Rails and adjustable fittings made for the purpose do the same job and let you move pictures later.
- Do not hang at all. Stand pictures on a piece of furniture, a shelf or the floor beneath the slope, leaning against the upright part of the wall.
Size and arrangement
Choose pictures in proportion to the wall. On a slope, lighter and smaller is safer and usually looks better.
A row of pictures of the same width or height, following the slope, leads the eye along it and looks unified. Alternatively, keep the frames upright and step them up the wall, like pictures on a staircase.
Think about the light. Sloping walls often have roof windows, and strong sunlight falling straight on a picture will fade it. Hang pictures out of the direct beam.
Wall stickers, or vinyl decals, are another option. They weigh nothing and follow any angle.
How to fix a picture to a slope
You will need a tape measure, a pencil, a spirit level, a drill, fixings suited to the wall, and four fixing points on the frame, two at the top and two at the bottom. Mirror plates, which are flat brass plates screwed to the back of the frame, work well. So do security fittings that lock the frame to the wall.
- Fit the plates to the frame, two at the top and two at the bottom.
- Find the rafters if you can, and fix into the timber. Otherwise use plasterboard fixings rated for more than the weight of the picture.
- Mark the position. Hold the frame in place, check that it is level across its width, and mark the wall through the holes in the plates.
- Drill and fit the wall fixings.
- Screw the frame to the wall through all four plates, and check that it is firm.
A picture on a slope is partly above you, so safety matters more than usual. Keep frames light, do not rely on adhesive strips for anything with glass in it, and above a bed choose acrylic glazing, which is lighter than glass and does not shatter.
Making the wall look good
- Use the slope as a feature. A patterned or coloured slope, in paint, wallpaper or decals, becomes the focal point of the room.
- Choose simple frames. Plain wooden frames, fixed straight and square, bring a sense of order to an irregular room.
- Keep the wall light. A pale colour makes a room under the eaves feel bigger and brighter, and makes a good background for pictures.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to hang art on a sloping wall?
Fix the frame at the top and the bottom, so that it lies flat against the wall. Mirror plates, keyhole hangers and locking security hangers all do this. Choose according to the weight of the picture.
Can I use adhesive strips?
Hook-and-loop strips can hold a very light, unglazed picture on a smooth slope, but on a slope they carry the weight in the worst direction. For anything heavier, or anything with glass, use screws.
How do I stop a picture moving on an uneven wall?
A small piece of museum putty behind each lower corner stops a frame wobbling.
How else can I decorate a room with angled walls?
- Hang a group of pictures that follows the line of the slope.
- Put a low bookcase or display unit under the slope and stand pictures on it.
- Use mirrors on the upright walls to reflect light.
- Fit shelves on the upright walls for framed pictures and ornaments.
How can I hang a tapestry on a sloping wall?
Hook-and-loop tape along the top edge and at the lower corners holds a light textile flat against the slope without marking it.
Conclusion
A sloping wall is a challenge, but with secure fixings and a little planning it can become the most interesting wall in the house, and a home for a picture frame of any size.