Decorating
An Insider’s Guide to Creating a Gallery Wall
Add character to your home by creating a personalised gallery wall with these expert tips
Creating a gallery wall in your home can be a unique and affordable way to transform a room, using the paintings, photographs, illustrations and personal pieces that matter to you. Whether you want to create a statement in your living room or simply make a staircase or blank wall come alive, a gallery of images is a fun way to express yourself and showcase your favourite artworks.
For the uninitiated, creating a gallery wall can be a daunting process. But with a few tools and some creativity, you can have a simple selection up in no time. Here are some style ideas and practical tips that will make your gallery wall stand out.
For the uninitiated, creating a gallery wall can be a daunting process. But with a few tools and some creativity, you can have a simple selection up in no time. Here are some style ideas and practical tips that will make your gallery wall stand out.
Keep it personal
It’s your home, so use art and personal effects to make your gallery wall stand out. Team art you’ve bought with family photos, sculptures, artefacts and children’s drawings to make it more unique to you.
TIP: Looking for fun ways to expand your gallery wall or add one more work to balance your theme? Consider using old calendars, movie posters or cheap illustrations to fill out your wall.
It’s your home, so use art and personal effects to make your gallery wall stand out. Team art you’ve bought with family photos, sculptures, artefacts and children’s drawings to make it more unique to you.
TIP: Looking for fun ways to expand your gallery wall or add one more work to balance your theme? Consider using old calendars, movie posters or cheap illustrations to fill out your wall.
Start with the largest first
Balance and symmetry are the keys to creating a gallery wall that works. Start with the largest piece you intend to hang on your wall and use this as the focal point, then work from the centre out. We recommend spacing artworks at least 3cm apart to make each one stand on its own. Try to keep the overall pattern balanced against other furniture or centred in a room.
TIP: Before you break out the hammer, lay out the artworks and cut newspaper to the size of each. Using masking tape, position the paper on the wall as you would each piece, then try a few different arrangements until you’re happy with the effect.
Balance and symmetry are the keys to creating a gallery wall that works. Start with the largest piece you intend to hang on your wall and use this as the focal point, then work from the centre out. We recommend spacing artworks at least 3cm apart to make each one stand on its own. Try to keep the overall pattern balanced against other furniture or centred in a room.
TIP: Before you break out the hammer, lay out the artworks and cut newspaper to the size of each. Using masking tape, position the paper on the wall as you would each piece, then try a few different arrangements until you’re happy with the effect.
Choose the right frames…
If you’re working with a collection with varying themes, using frames of a similar design or style is one way to tie the collection together.
TIP: Reclaimed frames and made-to-order mouldings without glazing can be an inexpensive way to make your gallery stand out.
If you’re working with a collection with varying themes, using frames of a similar design or style is one way to tie the collection together.
TIP: Reclaimed frames and made-to-order mouldings without glazing can be an inexpensive way to make your gallery stand out.
…or make it all about the frames
Gallery walls can be created using consistent frames. Even old boxes can be used to make a display on a budget. Simply add 3D treasures you’ve collected, as well as photos or old postcards, and move them whenever you fancy a change.
TIP: In this collection, the designer has created a vignette by sticking together a number of boxes with double-sided tape. She’s then added different wallpapers to create a consistent theme across the gallery – one that works with or without added art.
Gallery walls can be created using consistent frames. Even old boxes can be used to make a display on a budget. Simply add 3D treasures you’ve collected, as well as photos or old postcards, and move them whenever you fancy a change.
TIP: In this collection, the designer has created a vignette by sticking together a number of boxes with double-sided tape. She’s then added different wallpapers to create a consistent theme across the gallery – one that works with or without added art.
Prop for flexibility
Using a shelf is another easy way to create a gallery wall that can be updated frequently without the need to rehang. If you don’t have a ready-made ledge or shelf, as in this bedroom, you can buy thin shelves purpose-built for displaying art inexpensively, then paint them to suit your scheme.
TIP: Most shelf gallery walls are no more than two shelves in height. This creates an open look and feel, and allows enough space between shelves to accommodate larger works.
Creative shelving ideas
Using a shelf is another easy way to create a gallery wall that can be updated frequently without the need to rehang. If you don’t have a ready-made ledge or shelf, as in this bedroom, you can buy thin shelves purpose-built for displaying art inexpensively, then paint them to suit your scheme.
TIP: Most shelf gallery walls are no more than two shelves in height. This creates an open look and feel, and allows enough space between shelves to accommodate larger works.
Creative shelving ideas
Hang with precision
There’s nothing more frustrating than hanging your art only to realise it’s not at the right height. Most galleries hang works with the centre of the piece 150cm from the floor, so it sits at the average eye level. Use a spirit level and pencil to mark the holes before you drill. Double check each measurement to ensure you have the right height and balance.
TIP: If you’re hanging pictures yourself, consider using D-rings rather than a wire or string. Most wires are attached to the frame with D-rings, so simply remove the wire and insert two screws in the wall that fit inside the D-rings. Hanging this way removes any future slips or crooked wall hangings. Phew!
There’s nothing more frustrating than hanging your art only to realise it’s not at the right height. Most galleries hang works with the centre of the piece 150cm from the floor, so it sits at the average eye level. Use a spirit level and pencil to mark the holes before you drill. Double check each measurement to ensure you have the right height and balance.
TIP: If you’re hanging pictures yourself, consider using D-rings rather than a wire or string. Most wires are attached to the frame with D-rings, so simply remove the wire and insert two screws in the wall that fit inside the D-rings. Hanging this way removes any future slips or crooked wall hangings. Phew!
INSPIRING GALLERY WALL IDEAS
1. The layered living room
There is no fixed law that says artworks have to be hung neatly or uniformly. Layering pieces on top of each other, as in this shelf display, creates a casual, accessible atmosphere that will stand out in your living room.
1. The layered living room
There is no fixed law that says artworks have to be hung neatly or uniformly. Layering pieces on top of each other, as in this shelf display, creates a casual, accessible atmosphere that will stand out in your living room.
2. The sharp furniture line
Creating a sharp boundary above a piece of furniture can open up a room and, in some cases, limit potential damage to the artworks. Try to keep your gallery wall at least 30cm above furniture.
In this gallery wall, the colour scheme balances the room perfectly, and the single orange artwork gives the whole display the perfect pop.
Creating a sharp boundary above a piece of furniture can open up a room and, in some cases, limit potential damage to the artworks. Try to keep your gallery wall at least 30cm above furniture.
In this gallery wall, the colour scheme balances the room perfectly, and the single orange artwork gives the whole display the perfect pop.
3. The calming bedroom
In bedrooms, use soft palettes with occasional splashes of colour that complement the furniture for maximum impact. Bedrooms look better with gallery walls that aren’t too busy – this is where you come to unwind and sleep after all.
Keep things feeling spacious by limiting your gallery to two rows.
In bedrooms, use soft palettes with occasional splashes of colour that complement the furniture for maximum impact. Bedrooms look better with gallery walls that aren’t too busy – this is where you come to unwind and sleep after all.
Keep things feeling spacious by limiting your gallery to two rows.
4. The symmetrical grid
The days are gone when a single statement piece hung above furniture was the norm. We love this grid pattern set above a chest of drawers.
Certain artworks, including pieces in a series, geometric designs or others with minimal lines, look best in a structured grid. Smaller works in a series are particularly nice in this format.
The days are gone when a single statement piece hung above furniture was the norm. We love this grid pattern set above a chest of drawers.
Certain artworks, including pieces in a series, geometric designs or others with minimal lines, look best in a structured grid. Smaller works in a series are particularly nice in this format.
5. The nook
Have fun and be playful. Gallery walls can be added to any nook in the house. A small desk with a blank wall can be transformed into a butterfly preserve, as shown in this nature-inspired arrangement.
And keep in mind, gallery walls don’t need to be clustered – consider spacing out works in balanced patterns. In this room, the homeowner has only clustered the core artworks, while balancing a few pieces outside the main cluster to give the feeling of the works taking flight. What a great job.
Have fun and be playful. Gallery walls can be added to any nook in the house. A small desk with a blank wall can be transformed into a butterfly preserve, as shown in this nature-inspired arrangement.
And keep in mind, gallery walls don’t need to be clustered – consider spacing out works in balanced patterns. In this room, the homeowner has only clustered the core artworks, while balancing a few pieces outside the main cluster to give the feeling of the works taking flight. What a great job.
6. The kitchen shelf
Create a gallery wall using existing shelves for a flexible and high-impact display. Combining artwork with kitchen items, can turn a storage shelf into a work of art.
When displaying art in kitchens, beware of placing pieces too near to heat sources and areas with high humidity. Gallery walls consisting of plates or decorative trays will last longer, and there’s less risk of damage in the long term.
Create a gallery wall using existing shelves for a flexible and high-impact display. Combining artwork with kitchen items, can turn a storage shelf into a work of art.
When displaying art in kitchens, beware of placing pieces too near to heat sources and areas with high humidity. Gallery walls consisting of plates or decorative trays will last longer, and there’s less risk of damage in the long term.
7. The brightness booster
In darker hallways, lofts or spaces without a lot of depth, create an airy atmosphere by using bright colours, minimal designs and white frames. Geometric artworks work especially well to bring a smaller space to life.
In darker hallways, lofts or spaces without a lot of depth, create an airy atmosphere by using bright colours, minimal designs and white frames. Geometric artworks work especially well to bring a smaller space to life.
8. The look-at-me landing
Staircases often get overlooked when it comes to decorating, and what a pity – they’re one of the most high-traffic areas in the home. Create a gallery that draws in the eye by staggering work along the staircase wall.
Keep the centre of your gallery wall at around 150cm high, and allow 25cm from the stair tread to the bottom of each piece of art, to avoid damage when vacuuming.
Offsetting a gallery wall with a lone, larger artwork – as seen here, with the big typography piece at the far end – is a great way add extra punch to a space.
TELL US
Have you created a gallery wall? Please share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
Staircases often get overlooked when it comes to decorating, and what a pity – they’re one of the most high-traffic areas in the home. Create a gallery that draws in the eye by staggering work along the staircase wall.
Keep the centre of your gallery wall at around 150cm high, and allow 25cm from the stair tread to the bottom of each piece of art, to avoid damage when vacuuming.
Offsetting a gallery wall with a lone, larger artwork – as seen here, with the big typography piece at the far end – is a great way add extra punch to a space.
TELL US
Have you created a gallery wall? Please share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
Love lithographs? Fancy foxes? A gallery wall is your opportunity to style your home to reflect your passions and interests. Gallery walls can be tied together by a theme, frame colour, style or colour palette.
TIP: In a busy room with lots of patterns and textures, the key is to stick to a single hue, with the option of adding small splashes of colour into the mix.
Finding budget art for your home