I get it. You love art, but your small home doesn't have much wall space, right? If you flip through any home decor magazine featuring smaller homes, you'll notice they somehow manage to show some pretty amazing art collections despite the limited wall space. Those stylish small spaces look incredible with their thoughtfully placed artwork, but not every small home has the luxury of open walls.

When you're dealing with a smaller home, you need to think beyond the standard hang it on the wall approach because sometimes, that just isn’t possible. Art comes in many shapes and sizes and tricky rooms with lots of doors or small wall sections can be tough to decorate. That’s why I wanted to show you a few of my favorite, creative ways to place art in your small space without sacrificing style or feeling cramped.

So, if you're curious about how to display your favorite art pieces when wall space is at a premium, here are thirteen unexpected places to consider.

Use the Front of Shelves to Hang Small Artwork Creatively

Who says shelves are just for storing books and knickknacks?

The front face of your bookshelves offers prime space for hanging art. And you’d be surprised on the size and scale of art that can fit on the front of shelves…

Think about attaching paintings or prints to the vertical edges of your shelves. This adds visual interest at different heights and draws the eye upward, making your space feel taller.

This is also a great way to show off smaller pieces that might otherwise get lost on a large wall.

Display Art on Windows Without Blocking the Light

This might sound counterintuitive (I mean, who wants to block natural light, right?), But hanging art from the frame of a large window can create a great visual effect.

You can absolutely hang any kind of art over windows but think about using stained glass pieces, sun catchers, or translucent artwork that filters light. Talk about gorgeous!

When the sun shines through, you'll get a spectacular glow that changes throughout the day.

Just make sure to use proper hanging mechanisms that won't damage your window frames!

Tip: Clamps that can be tightened on window frames and sashes would be good for heavy art like glass and adhesive strips would work well on vinyl or metal windows for art that isn’t very heavy, like framed posters.

Surprise Yourself: Add Art to the Inside of Closets

Now here's a surprise location! Every time you open your coat closet; you can be greeted with a favorite piece of art!

The inside walls of closets can be like hidden spots for art that add unexpected moments of joy to your daily routine. Plus, guests will love your surprise art too!

This works really well for pieces that have special meaning to you but might not match your overall decor scheme.

Use the Back of Your Entry Door for Unexpected Art

Your entry door's interior side is prime real estate that most people overlook.

It might seem odd to think that the inside back of an entry door could be a location for hanging art but think about it, most small homes have small or pokey entryways with very little wall space. I’ll bet you wouldn’t think twice about hanging a full-length mirror on the back of a door, right? We do it all the time in bedrooms and bathrooms. Well, a framed piece of art can be installed in much the same way.

All you need is to think about slim pieces that won't interfere with the door's function. Aside from that, it’s a great spot to add some color or visual texture…

Lean Larger Art Pieces on the Floor for a Gallery Feel

Not everything needs to be hung!

Creating a casual, layered arrangement of art leaning against a wall, on floor can look incredibly chic.

Use larger pieces that create impact and overlap different sized pieces for a gallery-like feel and consider placing them in corners or along short wall segments where hanging might be tricky.

Make Furniture Functional and Beautiful with Side-Mounted Art

The sides of tall cabinets, bookcases, or armories have height that's often forgotten about.

These surfaces are perfect for smaller lightweight pieces that can be secured with removable hanging strips.

This approach adds visual interest to what would otherwise be blank, forgotten spaces in your home.

Add a Hidden Pop of Joy with Art Inside Cabinet Doors

Cabinet doors - whether in your kitchen, bathroom, or living area - are another hidden spot for displaying art.

Like the small coat closet from before, every time you open the cabinet, you'll get a little burst of visual delight!

This works especially well with shallow cabinets where the art won't interfere with the contents. Think about adding art to the inside of your buffet doors or kitchen cabinets for a fun surprise element.

If you’re artistic, you could paint a custom piece of art directly on the inside of the cabinet door. Or you could install a wallpaper panel with a pattern that you love on the inside of the door too. Think about customization and you’ll be on the right track!

Turn Your Fridge into a Mini Gallery Wall with Magnetic Art

Your refrigerator doesn't just have to be for family photos and your kids' artwork (though those are wonderful too!).

Use magnetic frames or strong magnets to showcase more sophisticated art pieces on this large appliance. The side of your fridge often provides a large, blank canvas that's just waiting to be transformed into a gallery wall.

If your kitchen is open to other spaces in your home, this is also a perfect way to create some visual separation.

Layer Small Art with Books and Decor on Open Shelving

Shelves aren't just for displaying stuff - they're perfect for layering in artwork too!

Instead of hanging art on walls, place smaller pieces on shelves and layer them with books, plants, and decorative objects. This creates depth while allowing you to rotate pieces easily when you're in the mood for a change.

This is one of the fundamentals of decorating: layer your décor and vary the height and lines of objects to create visual appeal.

Frame Doorways with Art to Create a Focal Point

Doorways create natural frames within your home.

By hanging art around a doorway - above it, beside it, and even below it - you create a focal point that draws the eye and makes the transition between spaces more interesting.

This works very well with collections of smaller pieces that might otherwise feel lost on a large wall. But don’t just think that all the frames need to be the same, you can also use different size and shape pieces for a totally custom look too.

Double the Impact: Hang Art on Large Mirrors for a Unique Look

Mirrors are already fantastic for making small spaces feel larger, but they can also be backdrops for art!

Consider hanging lightweight pieces directly on larger mirrors using adhesive hooks. The reflection creates an interesting visual, and you get the space-enhancing benefits of the mirror while still showcasing your favorite art.

(This is one of my favorite Christmas decorating hacks I use every year. I love to install small wreaths, swags, or ornaments directly on my living room mirrors. I use small, clear suction cups to attach everything to the mirror. No mess, easy clean-up when the holidays are over.)

Turn Furniture into Art with Painted Designs and Patterns

Who says art must be something you hang?

Transform ordinary furniture pieces into extraordinary art by painting them with bold patterns, scenes, or abstract designs.

An old dresser becomes a real statement piece with a geometric pattern painted across the drawers, or a side table gets new life with a colorful abstract design on its surface.

This technique works for many decorating styles: Bohemian, Art Deco, Dark or Light Academia… One fun, painted piece of furniture will definitely bring in a bit of whimsy.

Use a DIY Hook Rug as Functional Art in Small Spaces

For a truly unique approach, consider creating functional art pieces like a custom hook rug featuring your own design or pattern.

These textile art pieces add warmth, texture, and color to your space while serving a practical purpose. Hang them on the wall when not in use or let them shine as floor coverings that double as conversation pieces.

There you go, thirteen ways to incorporate art into your small home when wall space is limited.

If you try any of these different techniques, I'd love to hear from you in the comments below. Or if you have other not-so-typical places for art, share that too!

Thank you so much for reading this post! I hope you enjoyed it and found some inspiration. Until next week, slay your decorating challenges and know that you are amazing and talented!