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Sarah Granville

Top Tips on how to Create a Beautiful Gallery Wall

Updated: Oct 22


Read on to find out ways to display your art and make an eye-catching gallery wall in your home.

gallery wall showing a mix of gold, black and natural wood framed artwork on a green wall above a sofa with a pink checked blanket
my living room gallery wall, with the addition of a mirror and ornamental scarab beetle in gold.

Ever since I owned my own home, I’ve been a keen home styler and maker.  Back in the 90’s when you painted every room a different colour, I was there!  Collecting furniture from auctions and painting it, yup I did it! Painting my north facing living room a dark green to cosy it up, yes sir ree. So when it comes to gallery walls, I’m all over it!


People often say to me, I don’t have space on my walls for more art!  I say “rubbish!” what you need a gallery wall!


So, what is a gallery wall? 

A gallery wall is a collection of paintings, prints, wall hangings, photographs, sketches, mirrors, or a mix of all the above, arranged in a group or cluster on one wall.  It’s an opportunity to tell your own story and a great way to bring your collection of treasured art together in a heartfelt and cohesive way.

 

Creating a gallery wall takes some planning, but it’s so worth it!

STEP 1 → Choose your artwork

STEP 2 → Decide on frame and mounting styles

STEP 3 → Layout

STEP 4 → Hanging

BONUS → Have you tried a layered picture shelf?


Tip #1 Choosing and Organizing Your Gallery Display


Define Your Style and Purpose: Think about the mood and style you want to create. Are you aiming for a modern, eclectic, or traditional look? Consider the room's existing decor and how the art will complement it. 

Choose a Focal Point: Decide if you want a central piece that draws attention or if you’d prefer a more balanced look with multiple similar size works.

Flow: Adding paintings with a similar thread, colour or style will give a more curated and cohesive look.

A gallery wall from floor to ceiling on a dark blue wall colour with vintage rugs plants and wooden furniture by a window.
Floor to ceiling using a dark background makes this room feel very opulent

Shop your home: Don’t be afraid to take paintings, mirrors etc from other parts of your house to bring into your gallery wall.  You'll be surprised what you have and what will work. Different sizes and shapes keep it interesting. You could even add a hanging plant, or a mini shelf for a vase. Mix it up!

Avoid: Keep quotes to a minimum, use words on walls sparingly, no reprints of famous art pieces, better to have something original and unique and steer clear of anything overly mass produced.

Choose your wall: There are so many choices for a suitable wall, but consider these options: Over a piece of furniture, around a bed head, on a landing, hall or up the stairs, in a downstairs loo or bathroom .  Even around a corner of a room, go floor to ceiling for that ‘more is more’ look!  The options are endless.

Dark Backgrounds: A gallery wall loves a dark background, in particular light-coloured pictures and those with gold frames will work so well.


Tip #2 Framing and Mounting Options


Choosing the Right Frame: Select frames that complement the artwork and match or contrast the room's decor. For example, sleek black frames suit a more modern art style or black and white photographs, while ornate frames may better fit classic pieces.  Don't be afraid to try a gold or silver frame either.

Mounting Matters: Adding a mount board around the artwork can provide a polished look and draw attention to the piece.


gallery wall on a landing showing black and white photos framed in black frames with a striped black and white carpet
My landing, gathering family photos, using black frames only to keep it cohesive

Frame Grouping Ideas: Consider using similar frames for a uniform look or mix different styles for an eclectic feel. Using a mix of portrait and landscape orientation for your wall will keep it interesting.

Hanging Hardware Tips: Use the right hanging hardware for the frame's weight. Options include D-rings with picture wire or cord, or sawtooth hangers and even 3M command strips for lightweight pieces. Here’s a link to a tutorial on how to string a painting.


Tip #3 Layout

Layout Tips: Before putting any nails in the wall, lay out the arrangement on the floor to get a sense of how the pieces will look together. You could also use parcel paper and make cutouts taped to the wall to represent each piece. It’s nice to start with a large central or hero piece around which everything else will hang. Or you could try a grid format and have everything uniform and in line. Take a look at the layout ideas below.

Spacing Recommendations: Aim for consistent spacing between frames, keeping the gaps tight, usually 5-10cms apart.


A diagram of different gallery wall layout ideas
So many options to choose from

Tip #4 Hanging

Start Hanging: once you’re happy with your layout you can start hanging.  I love to use Command Strips; they can hold quite a substantial weight and don’t mark the walls (great if you’re renting) as they can be easily removed.  Otherwise, picture hooks or drilling holes and adding screws are the way to go.

a row of three framed prints above a mid century modern sideboard with a record player on top and a stack of records
A spirit level and tape measure are key when hanging in a straight line

More Orderly: If you want something a bit more considered, you can choose prints the same size, same frame and same artist.  In this instance a spirit level and tape measure are key.  A handy tip to stop the pictures going wonky is to use a blob of blue tack in each top corner.

Frame it in Colour: A very cool idea is to paint a block of colour behind the art collection to bring it all together and make it look like one impressive piece.


BONUS - Shelve it!

Advantages of a picture Shelf: A great idea for people who like to change their art displays frequently. They allow for easy updates and rearrangements without making multiple holes in the wall. I have several of these around my house as places to not only display my art but also to keep pieces waiting to be sold, off the floor!

Choose the Right Shelf Size: The shelf should be deep enough to hold the frames securely, typically 5-8cms. Longer shelves can accommodate larger collections, while shorter ones work well in smaller spaces. Think about adding two end to end to make a longer line

Bedroom with a made up bed and a picture shelf above it with layered photos and prints.  Clip on lights are on either side.  Bed linen in fresh yellow and white against a muted painted bedstead
a layered picture shelf above a bed makes a nice focal point, which can be changed

Layering Techniques: Overlap frames of different heights and add small decorative objects like vases or books to create a dynamic display.

Height and Placement Considerations: Install shelves at various heights for a staggered effect or keep them in line for a more uniform appearance.

Rotating Your Collection: For a fresh look, periodically rotate artworks in and out of different rooms. This can give your home a refreshed feel without needing new art.


4 Steps to creating a gallery wall.  Tan coloured sofa with shelf behind with various ornaments on plus a light and a plant. The wall behind is covered in pictures creating a gallery wall


Do it Your Way!

I hope this short tutorial has given you some inspiration to take the plunge and make your own gallery wall.  Collecting art doesn’t have to mean lots of expensive pieces, it could be a framed doodle by one of your children, a charity shop find or even framed pictures from books.  Remember, it's a personal collection of all your treasured paintings and pieces that reflects your unique style and personality and it's nice to bring them altogether in one curated wall. Have fun!


I would love to hear from you, please comment below if you have any questions, found this blog interesting or useful and share it with someone who you think might benefit!


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