Gallery walls are a Pinterest treasure trove, and for good reason: they're beautiful to look at and showcase a homeowner's unique perspective. But they can also be a daunting task. If you've ever left a framed print propped up on your living room wall for months or even years, you're not alone. And frankly, getting started is the hardest part.
Interior designer Jessica Davis creates a gallery wall in the study space of REAL SIMPLE HOME. She has a strategy for starting your gallery wall journey. “Start with one key piece,” she says. “Start with one big piece that will anchor the wall, and lay out the gallery on the floor first, then arrange the other pieces around it to figure out the spacing.” Once you've found your big piece, the rest will flow from there. Then, when it's time to hang your artwork, start with that big piece. And if things change as you work, don't worry. “Sometimes the arrangement changes a little bit as you hang things,” she says. “Remember, this is art, not science.”
Whether you're looking to curate a mix that reflects your family's style or you're an avid collector who needs a little inspiration to fill a large wall, here's a guide to the process of creating a gallery wall that people will want to stop and stare at.
This cool gallery created by Jessica Davis combines different styles, frames, and colors, yet is still effective.
Jessica Davis
Create an eclectic arrangement
Jessica Davis
A gallery wall doesn't have to be perfect; in fact, a variety of styles and sizes can make it a lot more fun to look at. “Mix mediums and add variety,” says Davis. “Don't be afraid to mix photography with paintings, textiles, prints and sculptural vases.” The same idea applies to frames and sizes. Feel free to mix large prints, small photos and everything in between, with wood, brass and acrylic all on one wall. “The more variety in sizes, the better,” she says.
Tips
Add curvaceous elements or sculptural objects to give depth to your assortment. When shopping at thrift stores, look for quality frames. If the artwork is special and worth someone framing and displaying, it's worth considering. Are you planning on displaying your own photos? Online framing companies can create high-quality prints and custom frames in one easy process.
Stock up on stairs
Brian Gardner
A row of large posters and small prints will add colour and character to an oft-overlooked staircase wall. Stagger the frames parallel to the stairs and use the banister as a guide at the bottom edge of the arrangement.
Tips
The “more is better” approach outlined here also works in other areas with obvious limitations, such as restroom walls. Stairs and other high-traffic areas can cause artwork to bump into each other and become askew. To keep artwork level, secure the corners of each frame with removable adhesive tape.
Stand on a shelf
Brian Gardner
If your tastes are always changing and your collection is always growing, shallow shelves allow you to rearrange your displays on a whim without drilling holes in your walls.
Tips
Regardless of your combination of mediums and materials, set a color palette to tie together your collection of art and frames. Stick to no more than two layers of frames; more than that will look bulky. The center of your composition should be at eye level.
Build floor-to-ceiling walls
CM Natural Designs/Aaron Lights
For the longest time, we've relied on paint to create a dramatic wall, but a floor-to-ceiling gallery wall is even more dramatic. Mill Valley, California-based CM Natural Designs created this dining room wall based on the client's art collection (more than half of which was theirs!), complementing it with other prints, drawings, and paintings, all in a neutral color scheme.
Tips
Start at eye level and build from top to bottom. The middle piece is the most visible, so put your favorite pieces here. At the bottom, put your least favorite pieces. This is the last place people will see, so you can put any artwork you want to hang but don't love under the floor. Start by arranging your photos on the floor. It's like one big puzzle and you don't want to end up with a piece missing after you've hammered in all the nails.
Create a family photo grid
Brian Gardner
If you're a perfectionist and like clean lines and uniform patterns, try a grid. This works especially well for family photos or groups of artwork with similar tones and textures. Place small groups of meaningful photos (and people!) in special places in your home to create an intimate collection that invites guests to get up close and personal.
Tips
To unify your collection, convert the photos to black and white and use identical frames, and a grid layout will help fill the wall without making it look cluttered.
If you're placing art over a piece of furniture, such as a sofa or sideboard, the art should extend two-thirds the width of the piece of furniture, with the bottom edge of the frame at least 4 inches above the piece of furniture.
Choose a theme
Daniel Barrett Mathis
Daniel Mathis, also known as @notaminimalist, collects a lot of things. One of them is portraits. He collected these portraits, all by one artist, and hung them on his living room wall, creating a very dramatic and colorful backdrop. All of his work was painted by the same artist, but yours isn't. It doesn't have to be the same. Portraits in different styles work just as well.
Tips:
To pick a good theme, start by looking at what you have in your home and what you love: landscapes, botanical prints, line drawings, food photos, and abstract blue designs can all work as organizing principles.
Keep it contained
Getty/Katarzyna Bialasiewicz
Homes with architectural details like picture moldings instantly become the perfect place to display art. You have the freedom to display items however you like (even if you have empty space). The only rule is that the items must stay within the boundaries.
Tips
Use a thinner frame; thicker frames will ruin delicate architectural details and cause them to fade. If you don't have a natural border like the one pictured above, try making one yourself. Ekena Millwork (and many other companies) have plastic or resin moldings that you can add to your walls with a little DIY.
Expert advice on collecting
purchase
Art should complement the focal point of a room, not compete with it. Take your rug, for example: if your rug has an intricate pattern, make it one large piece rather than a gallery wall.
Incorporating memorable and ephemera (like a child's treasured drawing or a ticket stub) will give your collection instant personality. In your display, aim for one in five pieces to have a handmade or autobiographical feel. Coffee table books can also serve as visual inspiration.
If you like the look of a painting but don't want to spend a lot of money on printing it, search for words like “giclée” or “artist enhanced” in the description, as these techniques give you an impression of brushstrokes.
Shopping Information Source
If you're looking to start an art collection beyond family photos and children's art, check out these sellers.
etsy.com: If you're looking for options in a variety of styles and price ranges, this is the place to go. You can also request customized pieces from a wide range of talented artists.
20×200.com: Affordable limited edition art means you're unlikely to see the same piece hanging above your best friend's couch.
juniperprintshop.com and bffprintshop.com: These sites offer on-demand art, where you can have digital files emailed to you and print them at home in any size. They also curate smaller art collections, which is great if you're overwhelmed by options.
minted.com: Offering thousands of fine art prints starting at $31, this site lets you choose from a variety of sizes, frame styles, glass types, and mats to customize your print to your liking.
artfullywalls.com: This site sells a selection of prints, but the best part is that it showcases dozens of examples of gallery walls created using their work. Anyone else looking for some inspiration?
artstar.com: This site sells exclusive fine art prints, paintings, limited edition photography, and more. If you're looking for something unique, this is the place to go.
Thrift stores and flea markets: Shopping second hand has two benefits: you can find unique pieces that will make your home feel special, and you can upcycle.
Framing
Although frames can be pricey (especially custom made ones), it's worth the investment, as high-quality options will enhance the overall look of a room and last longer than cheaper versions.
In addition to local framers, pros recommend Framebridge, Michaels and Simply Framed for custom work.
If you're hanging something opposite a window, consider using a matte paper or canvas print that doesn't have glass to prevent reflections, or museum glass, which is relatively low in reflections.
Hang
Brian Gardner
Even professionals have a hard time hanging art, especially when it comes to lining up different frames evenly. That's why pros swear by this tip: Put masking tape on the back of the frame and mark or drill holes where you want hooks or nails to go. Then stick the tape to the wall and get the hardware in the right place on the first try. A laser level is also a great way to increase accuracy.
If your space has an architectural element (such as a fireplace), display one large piece of art above it and hang a gallery-style arrangement on the opposite wall.