Here are a few basic tips to help you get started on planning your next gallery wall.
Many home dwellers are hesitant to try gallery walls out of fear of it not looking as curated as the homes we see on Instagram. But here’s the thing - the best gallery walls are those that show some personality and aren’t just like everyone else’s!
Here are a few basic tips to help you get started on planning your next gallery wall:
Before hanging anything on your wall, place all the pieces for your gallery wall together on a table or on the floor and determine whether they feel similar in tone and intensity. That could mean trying to stick with three main colors throughout the pieces, for example, to keep everything looking cohesive.
Mixing and matching frame sizes makes for a visually interesting gallery wall, but it’s best to avoid hanging the pieces in clusters of the same size. To make the finished project look more balanced, try starting with the largest piece of artwork as a kind of ‘anchor’ to the gallery wall, and make sure the second-largest piece isn’t right beside the first, filling in with smaller frames or decor items in between.
One of the best things about gallery walls is their versatility! They can be as few as three to as many as dozens of pieces and where you hang them is almost limitless.
They look great on a blank wall, but they also help highlight surrounding furniture, windows, and small spaces that need some extra personality.
Tip: There’s also the option to hang a picture ledge instead, which allows you to rearrange and replace pieces easily without worrying about adding new nails to the wall.
Are you hoping for a uniform, professional-looking grid design or a more eclectic collected vibe? If it’s the former, keeping the same size of frame throughout will be important for that crisp look, but in the latter you’ve got more freedom to switch up sizes and styles for a more relaxed, informal feel in the space.
If the pieces in the collection have odd spacing – some too wide, some too narrow for example – it will look a little off when it’s all up on the wall. Make sure the spacing between each piece is even and that you leave enough breathing room on all sides of the gallery wall to make it a focal point.
Tip: Designers suggest 2-3 inches between frames for the best look.
Who says gallery walls need to consist only of frames? Throwing in an unexpected element like dried flowers, a clock or a mirror can bring more intrigue to the overall look and make it more interesting.
Overall, gallery walls all come down to personal preference and having a space in your home that you love. Once you’ve collected all the pieces for your gallery wall and are ready to hang it in place, grab our gallery wall hanging kit and get started!
