Guide to Creating a Gallery Wall

Step 1: Select a Space

Gallery walls come in all shapes and sizes and can go anywhere in the home. Common locations include above furniture in the living or dining room and in an entryway or stairwell. Gallery walls often become the focal point, so select an open space where it won’t become too busy alongside the rest of the room’s décor.

 

Step 2: Curate Your Collection

When it comes to the type of wall art, the sky’s the limit. Gallery walls can include framed prints, photographs, paintings, typography, and more. For a personal touch, you can add family photos and meaningful mementos. You can even incorporate three-dimensional, non-framed elements such as textile hangings, mirrors, embroidery, and baskets.

To make sure your gallery wall looks cohesive, find a common thread that ties these pieces together, such as a color palette. For example, use all cool or all warm tones, or repeat certain colors throughout the collection.

However, don’t be afraid to mix things up – gallery walls are all about creating visual interest with variety. You can accomplish this by:

• Selecting artwork in a variety of sizes, including a couple larger statement pieces
• Combining complementary frame finishes and styles
• Including both vertical and horizontal orientations

 

Step 3: Plan the Placement

Before nailing holes in the wall, it’s important to put a plan in place. Here are two handy ways you can do this:

 

On the Floor

Lay out your frames on the floor and experiment with different arrangements until you find one you like. Make sure to take a photo of the final layout to reference when you begin hanging up your art.

 

On the Wall

Using kraft paper, trace and cut out the shapes of your frames and arrange them on the wall with masking or painter’s tape. While a little more time-consuming, this technique can help you visualize the layout on the wall itself.

Arrange the largest piece first, which will anchor your gallery wall. Situate this slightly off center to keep it from drawing the eye too dramatically. Then, build outward, spreading out frames and art that are similar in style or color to maintain balance and leaving some negative space between each piece.

 

Step 4: Hang Your Frames

Once you’ve landed on a layout, all that’s left is to hang your frames. If you laid out your frames on the floor, use the photo you took as a reference and be sure to measure and mark the wall with a pencil or tape where the nails will go. If you hung up a paper template, you can hammer the nails directly through the kraft paper and then tear the paper away. You can also use Command™ picture hanging strips, if you want to avoid damaging the wall. Then, hang your frames, keeping a level on hand to ensure they are even. Lastly, step back and enjoy your new, one-of-a-kind gallery wall!