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Gallery Wall Ideas
Art comes in many forms and should be an expression of what you love. Although you might already have some precious pieces, your ideal aesthetic may be beyond what’s hanging at your local museum. Wall art can be as casual or as elevated as you want. Let’s explore how to make a gallery wall to bring your vision to life.
What’s a Gallery Wall?
A gallery wall is an area of your home where you prominently display photos and pieces of art. Although a gallery wall doesn’t have to be in the living room — it can also be in a study, den, bedroom, dining room, or even along a staircase — it should make pictures or art the focal point.
You can mix and match original art pieces with family photos, as long as they share the same aesthetic. You can frame your toddler’s crayon drawing and hang it alongside a picture of them playing at the beach. Your toddler’s crayon masterpiece can also have a place of prominence alongside a piece of art you bought at an auction — it’s entirely up to you.
Frames & Decor Inspiration
The frames of your gallery wall need not be uniform — for many people, the appeal of a gallery wall is combining a variety of images mounted in a unique way. However, hanging up any and every type of frame can appear messy if you don't pay attention to placement.
If you use different frame sizes and types, such as thick wooden frames paired with thin metal frames, arrange them so that they resemble pieces of a puzzle fitting together. You’ll want to leave some space between them, but not so much that it becomes just a wall with a few random pictures.
You can also intersperse frames with other pieces of hanging art. Imagine a framed photo of the family next to textile art like a small quilt square, a knitted wreath, or hanging jewelry.
For a more cohesive look, you can use the same frame type, like a simple black frame with white matting, in different sizes. Your small 5x7 shots can line up neatly with the 10x14 frames and nothing will seem out of place.
Again your creativity is not bound by any rules of what “fits” in a traditional gallery. Don’t be afraid to play around and see what works for you.
Gallery Wall Layouts
The number one thing to keep in mind when learning how to create a gallery wall is to make it fit your space. Your home will have a distinct layout and architectural elements. You may take a different approach to designing your gallery wall depending on where it will be.
Staircase Gallery Wall
A staircase gallery is a wonderful way to use the often-forgotten stretch of wall between floors. You can place your artwork and photos so that the bottom of your gallery slopes at an angle that matches the slope of the staircase, and the top is parallel to the ceiling. You can also hang a single row of pictures that follow the angle of the staircase from top to bottom.
Bedroom Gallery Wall
A bedroom gallery wall can complement your dresser, desk, vanity, and other furniture. You can hang a collection of framed pictures above your bureau or you can give the gallery its own space, allowing it to sit alone on an otherwise empty wall. Consider the privacy and comfort that the bedroom brings and what kind of mood you want to invoke. Calming nature prints, nostalgic family photos, or energetic modern art are just a few possibilities.
Living Room Gallery Wall
The living room is the focal point of many homes since it handles daily traffic from guests and family members. The living room gallery wall should represent what you want to see when you’re relaxing with family and a movie or inviting the neighbors over for tea.
Pay close attention to your home’s architecture. If your staircase leads to the living room, consider whether an extended gallery that starts with the stairs and ends in the living area might work. You might also add decorative mirrors to make the space seem more expansive.
Dining Room Gallery Wall
One option for the dining room gallery wall is to work with the design and layout of your table. If you have sleek modern furnishings, consider wall decor that matches that aesthetic.
Instead of making your gallery a floor-to-ceiling affair, consider using a long shelf to create a visual border and place your gallery wall above it. This gives your gallery a finished look, and all of the art and pictures are easily viewed while you enjoy your meal. You can also use a kitchen storage cabinet instead of a shelf.
Tips on Hanging Your Gallery Wall
Measure the space before you begin mounting any pieces. You can also sketch out the design on a piece of paper so you have an idea of what might fit. Arranging your photos on the floor to get a sense of how they look before affixing them permanently is another pro tip.
Each potential gallery wall location offers different vantage points and lighting. If you want to test how pieces look on a wall before you get out the brackets and screws, consider using removable putty to put up some sheets of paper in a similar color scheme to see how well it looks in the space and how easy it is to enjoy from every angle.
Express Your Creativity With a Gallery Wall
A gallery wall is like any art — open to creativity and individual expression. Wherever you put yours, enjoy the unique opportunity to make your house a home that reflects your creativity and personality.