Here at Picture Hang Solutions, we’re always talking about how to hang pictures and the proper hardware to use and what you need to consider when picking a hanging solution. But we’ve never really talked about the why—why it’s essential to hang art, photos, and decor on your wall.

We’re sure that, as a homeowner, you may have wondered if it was really necessary to hang pictures in your living spaces—they just seem like such a default decor option. In actuality, there are many well-known benefits, and they apply to just about everybody! We’ve touched on them briefly in other articles, but this time, we’re going to really get into them one by one.

Soon after reading this article, you’ll be refreshed with the many excellent (and very practical) reasons to hang pictures at home.

There is a history of many works of art being sold for a few hundred dollars or less shortly after their creation and later on becoming worth a thousandfold of their original price. From this, you can say the monetary value of high-quality artworks is something to appreciate.

So the next time you spot an artist on the rise and one of their works catches your eye, it may well be worth it to trust your gut and pull the trigger. We’re not saying to pick art based on what you think will rise in value over the years, but as long as an art piece is good, even if there’s only a little increment in its value afterward, it means it’s a sound investment.

One of the primary reasons we hang pictures is always valid—we want to live in a home that is pleasing to the eye and tastefully designed. As visual creatures, we avoid what we regard as ugly or unpleasant.

In a space where you spend the majority of your time, serving as your reprieve where you are most comfortable, an interior that is satisfying to you is essential.

A painting or gallery wall art is one of the most classic touches that beautifies a home. It can elevate the most inconspicuous areas in your home just by being part of your kitchen wall decor and even bathroom wall decor, for instance.

Even just one statement picture can bring life to a room. Whether your pictures contrast with or complement the rest of the room, they can serve as a landmark aspect that gives your space a distinctive appeal.

It’s one thing to have an elegant or bold picture, but another to have one that looks timeless.

Trends come and go, but for most artwork and photographs, they’re chosen for both their personal appeal as well as how guests and other people will appreciate them.

As part of your wall decor, whether it’s your bedroom wall decor or living room wall decor, the pictures you hang become a part of your daily life. They provide constant stimulation and tell their own story, creating a memorable impression of your home over the years.

One of the most oft-cited benefits of decorative art is its powerful ability to affect the mood of anybody surrounded by it. The psychology of art depends highly on social norms, and each person can react differently to the same artwork. But picture hanging as a personal expression and source of beauty is one of the most effective ways to make your home feel welcoming and relaxing.

As much as it can evoke positive emotions, the pictures we hang on our walls can also elicit negativity. Hanging pictures that abide by a calming color scheme, for example, or lively photographs of your family travels creates a reinvigorating atmosphere for you, and an inviting one for your guests that uplifts their mood.

Picture hanging is an intentional process. It’s a way of self-expression that not only portrays what is meaningful to you, but also allows your imagination to take the reins.

You don’t even have to be someone who leans towards creative fields, like fine art or poetry. Just the process of choosing your artwork or pictures, picking and hanging picture frames, or opting to go frameless, working with a layout, experimenting with picture size, height, and shape—it’s fertile ground for your creativity!

Whether in the form of prints or a painting, physical copies of your most cherished photographs help to make memories of an important life event, family gatherings, and loved ones feel more concrete.

We’re so used to having a trove of countless images in our smartphones that commemorate our everyday lives and unforgettable memories. But it’s not as often that we take a step further to turn these digital images into something we can see around the house every day.

As you go about your day and get used to being greeted by these familiar pictures, our memories are reinforced and become stronger in our minds. Not to mention, walking by pictures that you have an emotional connection with gives you a boost in energy.

With some of the reasons we’ve listed so far, the impact on your home when it comes to picture hanging builds up to a sense of feeling personal. This is the primary motivation behind why we decorate our spaces, and it makes the process subjective and unique to every person.

From the color scheme you choose, the art styles that you select for your statement piece, the atmosphere you create with your design, and the pictures that are handpicked by you—hanging even just one picture gives guests an idea about your style, your personality, and sometimes even your life, without saying a word.

Did you know that decorating your home with pictures makes you more likely to keep the place clean?

When your home is decorated with pictures you enjoy seeing or enjoyed purchasing, you’re also more likely to be happy with its overall state. The sense of satisfaction that comes from knowing that your ideas have come to life gives you the push to maintain that image consistently. More often than not, that involves a house that is spick and span. Aside from everything else we’ve discussed in this article, what better reason for picture hanging could there be more than this?

Okay, maybe we do have at least one more perfectly great reason to hang pictures for your wall decor. We’ve talked so much about personalizing your space and unleashing all your creativity, but that’s not so easy if you live in a rental. You can’t just paint walls, knock out a wall to make more room, or indulge in every other decorating or construction whim.

Luckily, hanging pictures is one of the most versatile and renter-friendly decor options. Depending on which picture-hanging hardware or method you choose, you might not even have to drill any holes into your wall.

Pictures are also an especially great decor idea if you’re frequently moving around—there will always be a wall to hang a picture on, sizes to choose from if you live in a small space and a piece that is true to your style. See our guide to picture hanging written specifically for those of us who have landlords: A Renters’ Guide to Hanging Pictures 

As for the last but certainly not least, buying art for your space directly benefits two main parties—you as someone who is decorating your home and the artist you’re buying from. This is a wonderful plus when buying art because, in such a competitive and intensive field, artists often find themselves without a steady stream of commissions.

Purchasing artwork for your decor means you’re not only making your home a more pleasant place to live in, but you’re also supporting the livelihood and craft of hardworking, often underappreciated artists and, in turn, the prosperity of the creative industry. Try visiting a local art gallery or purchasing directly from an artist, and you’ll see what a fulfilling part of the picture hanging experience it can be.

There are probably dozens more reasons to hang pictures in your home, and all are just as great as the ten we’ve shared in this article. If any resonated with you while reading, we’re sure you’ll find even more to appreciate the more you immerse yourself in the picture-hanging experience.

Of course, it doesn’t have to be a reason on this list—if you enjoy hanging pictures and love looking at your picture wall, that’s enough reason.

What’s your favorite reason for hanging pictures in your home? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!