Creating a gallery wall is a great way to add so much interest and sentimentality to a space. I am a complete advocate. A good gallery wall can make small spaces feel large, bring a living room to life, or make a dining room the perfect place for more than just dining. Designing an entire wall can feel intimidating and overwhelming, but these 5 easy steps will make it much easier to tackle. These are 5 tips and things I think about when I want to create a timeless gallery wall.
1. Measure wall and sketch.
Knowing your wall size will help with figuring out how many pieces you will need to fill the wall. This is the best way to start figuring out your gallery wall layout. It will also help with determining the size of some of the art you want to hang. I use a tape measure to get a rough measurement of the size of the wall. If you don’t mind doing a little math, you can get a rough measurement of your entire gallery wall with a meter or yard stick. Having an idea of the amount of space is a simple way to start mapping out how many pieces you will need and the various sizes you will need. Sketch different layouts. Decide where the largest piece on your wall needs to be. Use painter’s tape and kraft paper to mark where you want certain pieces to hang. Anything to help you visualize before you start hanging is one of the best ways to start a gallery wall.
2. Decide on a theme.
Maybe you center everything around a focal point and all the pieces match that. Maybe you order a matching modern metal frame set. Either way, unless you plan on buying the same frame or invest in some picture frames to get everything the exact same, you will have to decide on the feel and colors of the wall in order to create a uniform end product. Custom frames are an option, but they can be very expensive. The frame selection process is the easiest through custom framing. But, a good idea for a very eclectic gallery wall is having different styles and colors of frames. Gallery walls that are the most interesting have a variety of frames of different sizes and finishes and can work well together as long as there is a theme or similar color scheme amongst everything you are hanging. Giving a specific example, if you have a piece in a red frame that you know you want on the wall, finding or making another frame that is similar to place on the opposite side of the wall will help to create unity and balance and bring harmony to your gallery wall. Remember frames can easily be painted to match in color/style. After this step you really are closer than you think to creating a timeless gallery wall.
3. Collect all of your items.
Next, you will want to have all of the art and pieces you want on the wall set aside. Your items can consist of art prints, your favorite photos, larger pieces, 3D pieces, really anything you would consider nice to display on your wall. Sometimes, I don’t use all of the art or I realize that I may need more, but having them all set aside gives me an idea of what I have versus what I need. I have always found it much easier and much quicker having more art than you need. You can make choices and problem solve much easier in the moment when you have extra items that can be hung. I highly recommend really going all over the place in regards to the size of the art you are putting up. Use a tape measure to get a rough measurement of the size of the wall. When you decide on some of the sizes of the artwork you can start to map out how many pieces you can hang. If you find you need more work this is the perfect time to search for items you may not have thought about displaying before or getting some of your favorite pictures printed. I source a lot of items from estate sales, thrift stores, flea markets, and reach out to artistic friends for prints/ commissions to build my collection of art to hang.
4. Find some 3D pieces.
What is fun about 3D wall art is its easy to hang anything that important or beautiful to you. I always want to break up the monotony of the works of art on my wall by having pieces that can’t be traditionally framed. The variety adds interest and ease to a gallery wall. An eye-catching gallery wall almost always has some sort of 3D component. Installing a shelf, or having a ceramic piece for example can bring the wall together, while also creating enough difference to add visual interest. Look into free hanging shelves, a wooden photo ledge, masks, canvases, sconces, and 3D art pieces to really bring your wall to life.
5. Get sentimental.
It’s a lot easier to create a wall that sparks excitement and conversation when there are things hanging that have specific and important relevance to you. Adding that personal touch can make your gallery wall a great place to reminisce and think about what matters to you. Sometimes the style of art comes second to the meaning of it. Incorporating even one single piece of art that means a lot to you can bring the highest value to your wall. Keepsakes, letters, memorabilia, any personal items that are displayed and preserved tell the story of you and make a gallery wall that much more important and special. Do some digging to look into items, that you otherwise would keep in a drawer somewhere, they can make the best art.
In conclusion, I hope these tips were insightful to you and gave you some different ways to think about curating your gallery wall. A specific wall, even section of a wall designed in this way can change the energy of an entire room. You will love the intentional look a gallery wall can bring to even the most awkward spaces. A gallery wall is the perfect solution to completely change a space in my opinion. Bring your space together and give it some life with these easy to follow tips. Would love to see your end products! If you want more tips and guides on DIY decor and custom framing subscribe to my newsletter. Get in touch if you need help with a new gallery wall. I am also always open to help with brainstorming gallery wall ideas, choosing and customizing frames, assisting with a large wall, or sourcing different pieces of art. The purpose of this blog is not only to guide, but to lend my services and consult beyond the blog where I see fit. Hope you are able to revamp your wall space and create the perfect gallery wall. Happy decorating!