Where Not to Hang a Canvas: Bathrooms, Hobs and Other Hazards

Most walls in a home are fine for a canvas. A few are not, and putting one in the wrong place can shorten its life. These are the spots to avoid, and the better options, whether you are choosing a ready-made piece from our gallery or designing one in the Canvas Builder.

Bathrooms and shower rooms

Steam is the main enemy. Repeated damp can affect the surface and the frame over time. If you want words in a bathroom, choose a spot far from the shower or bath, and keep the room well ventilated. A dry hallway or bedroom is a safer place for a textured piece.

Above the hob or cooker

Heat, steam and grease are all hard on a canvas. Keep canvases at a sensible distance from the cooking area, and choose a dining area or a wall away from the hob instead. Our guide to words for kitchens and dining rooms has ideas.

Directly above a radiator or fire

Rising heat can dry and stress a canvas, and dust and smoke can settle on it. If the only wall available is above a radiator, hang the canvas well clear, and consider a different spot.

In harsh, direct sunlight

A south-facing window that floods a wall with sun can fade colours over time. Side light is good for raised lettering, but a wall that bakes in direct sun for hours is not ideal. If you are not sure, watch the wall across a day. Our guide to caring for textured and raised lettering has more.

Damp or cold external walls

Walls prone to damp, condensation or mould are no place for a canvas. If you notice marks or a musty smell, deal with the cause of the damp first.

Busy walkways

A canvas that sticks out into a narrow hall or a stair is easy to knock. If a wall is a pinch point, choose a flatter, smaller piece, or a different wall. Our guide to hallways and narrow walls gives better options.

Better places

Good spots include living rooms, bedrooms, dry hallways, studies and dining rooms, away from heat and moisture, and with side light where possible.

If you are unsure

Describe the wall to us when you send your design, and we will tell you what we think. We are happy to advise, and we offer a free consultation. A little thought about the wall makes a canvas last.