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- Choose pictures that work with each other, not against
If you have one image that stands out more than the others, there’s nothing wrong with that at all. You want to have a hero image that stands out against the others, as opposed to having all of the prints competing for attention. Just make sure there is a common thread that runs through the items in your gallery wall, like a visual motif, a theme or a color. - The part where you’ll probably have a minor breakdown…
When you have assembled the prints to use, make paper cutouts of each frame and arrange them on the floor first. Use your eye to see what arrangement looks good together. - Decide on your spacing
Position prints close enough together so that they look connected to each other. The spacing doesn’t have to be uniform but don’t place your gallery wall prints so far apart that they look like unrelated pieces. A couple of inches is all you need. Use a ruler to get the spacing right if you need to, take a picture on your smartphone, and write the gap measurements down to refer to when you’re hanging the frames. - Stick the paper cutouts to the wall
Once you’re taken a photo of your cutouts on the floor, stick them to the wall to check you’re happy. If you aren’t using Command Strips – and you really should be – mark where the hanger of each frame sits on the paper, so you know where to put the nail. - Look at practical issues
If your gallery wall will be behind a couch, or in a high traffic area, be sure to hang pictures where they won’t be in danger of getting knocked or be in the way. - For damage-free hanging, use Command Strips
Command Strips aren’t just for renters, these strips will be worth their weight in gold when you don’t have a wall full of holes. You can also move or change the arrangement more easily if you decide you want something different later.
Here are the hooks for each type of frame
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Continue your gallery wall around pieces of furniture, going up the side of one wall, or even continuing around a corner if it looks good. - Use a picture ledge
Instead of fixing individual pictures to the wall, try a picture ledge or shelving to lean the prints against. It’ll give you even more flexibility in your layout and it’ll be so easy to swap pieces in or out, you might just thank yourself later.
Make it even easier to make changes with this damage-free Command Hook ledge
- Gallery walls can work in most spaces, but…
Make your gallery wall the main, attention-grabbing focal point of the room for the biggest impact. This doesn’t mean the rest of the room has to be empty, just ensure there’s balance and places for the eyes to rest so the space doesn’t seem overwhelming. - Consider your lighting
All the best art galleries have great lighting. Do you need to install some downlights or a floor lamp to show off your prints? Is there natural light nearby?
- If something brings you joy, use it
Without sounding corny, the best story you can tell is your joy – plus, you’re the one who will look at your gallery wall the most – so if something makes you happy, use it.
Gallery walls have the ability to make a huge impact on a room and are a brilliant way to get a professionally-designed look yourself.
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Follow these tips and your gallery wall will be worthy of its own exhibition.
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