Boban John
You know that blank wall in your home that feels like a missed opportunity to show off your style and precious mementos? Maybe you’ve thought about creating a gallery wall but feel overwhelmed by the many style choices, frame options, and decisions about what to display. The good news? We’ve compiled a list of tips and ideas from experts to help you turn that empty space into a stunning focal point that tells your story.
Whether you want to create a statement in your charming home in Boston, MA, share your precious memories in your Santa Barbara, CA, apartment, or showcase your favorite artwork in a rental home in Alexandria, VA, a gallery wall is a fun way to do this. So, let’s dive in on how to create a gallery wall.
1. Determine your style
Curating a gallery wall can feel intimidating with so many style options. You could go modern and sleek, eclectic and bold, or something in between. The key is choosing a look that reflects your personality and complements your space.
Britnee Tanner, Professional Declutter and Organizer based in Utah, highlights the importance of considering every element like colors, frame sizes, and styles, as they all come together to shape the overall look of your gallery wall.
“The cool thing about creating the perfect gallery wall is that it can showcase your love of artwork or personal photographs and it can fit into any interior style,” shares Tanner. “I recommend you first focus on the overall look you’re trying to achieve. Think about the style, sizes, and colors of frames you want to use. Frames that differ in size can add a custom feeling to a room whereas a gallery wall with all uniform frames can look really neat and clean. There are so many options when choosing how to display your gallery so go with the one that feels most like it’s really utilizing the wall space you have.”
Expanding on the idea of balancing style and personalization, Anitra Hill, Founder and Principal Designer of A. Logan Designs based in Birmingham, AL, emphasizes the importance of cohesion while allowing for creativity.
“Curating the perfect gallery wall is about blending style with personal expression to create a meaningful display. Start by selecting a theme or color palette to establish cohesion, and mix different frame sizes for added visual interest. Feel free to incorporate a range of mediums, from artwork and photographs to textiles and three-dimensional objects, to make your wall truly unique. The key is to balance creativity and design elements that resonate with you and your space. Have fun and make it your own.”
2. Keep it personal
To some, a gallery wall is an opportunity to showcase what matters most to you. Whether it’s family photos from Aruba, concert tickets from your favorite band, or artwork that speaks to your personality, incorporating pieces that hold meaning will make your display feel more authentic and unique.
Evan Zislis, Founder of Clutter Free Revolution, based in Carbondale, CO, encourages a refreshing approach that focuses on authenticity over rules.
“At the risk of sounding disinterested, first, ditch the notion there’s a right or wrong way to do this. A cluster of images or objects – framed, matted, mounted or stuck to the wall with a wad of chewing gum, should inspire feeling. Start there. I find a curated collection infinitely more enchanting when it captures the authentic whimsy of its daring visionary.”
Taking this idea further, Margaret Ritter, Creative Director of Counterbalance Studio based in Shoreline, WA, emphasizes how mixing mediums can elevate your gallery wall even further, creating a personal narrative with depth and texture.
“Utilizing a variety of mediums in your gallery walls can yield richly complex, personal, and dynamic displays. For example, incorporating a framed memento such as ticket stubs from your first date adjacent to your wedding portrait can add an interesting narrative breadcrumb, while peppering in paintings, fiber art, and candid snapshots adds variety, color, and texture. To create an overall sense of cohesion consider using frames made from a similar material or color and create a grid system that allows for consistent breathing room between each piece.”
3. Prioritize calmness through your gallery wall
It’s true that the rules of how to create a gallery wall differs depending on the vibe one is going for. For some, an element of peace and calmness is a priority for their display. Samantha Weaver of Amy Weaver Design based in San Francisco, CA, says it best, “A gallery wall should be intentional, not overwhelming – blending various sizes and textures, while maintaining harmony. It should be a reflection of your personality.”
Consider the cohesion
Suzanne Fortescue of A Well Lived House based in Portland, OR, suggests that finding harmony in your gallery wall starts with considering how your pieces work together. “When creating a gallery wall, select a cohesive mix of photographs, art work or decorative objects, like a collection of black-and-white photographs, or a series of vintage paintings for example.”
When you’re ready, she adds, “Lay out your arrangement on the floor to find a balanced composition, then use painters tape to map out the placement on the wall. Vary your frame size and spacing, but keep a consistent theme or color palette; all modern metal frames or all natural wood frames for example for a harmonious look and lastly, throw in one or two unexpected things to add some visual interest and intrigue.”
Take a Feng Shui approach
If your goal is to create a peaceful presence with your gallery wall, consider incorporating Feng Shui principles. Based in Upstate New York, Ana Barreto, a Brazilian American author, teacher, coach, and speaker, shares her expert guidance on how to harmonize your space for optimal tranquility.
“A gallery wall can be a powerful tool for enhancing positive energy in your home when designed with Feng Shui principles in mind. The best tip is to carefully curate images to evoke happiness, love, and prosperity and never place them in the bedroom, even if they are pictures of children or other family members.”
4. Start with the statement piece and build around it
Picture walking into a room and instantly locking onto a piece that captures your eye—the one that sets the vibe for everything else. That’s the magic of a statement piece, often the largest on your wall. Start there, whether it’s a bold painting, a vintage mirror, or a favorite print, and let your gallery wall come together around it.
Marc & Jenn Fuson, Professional Organizers of Bless Your Nest, based in Mason, OH, provide insight when it comes to the process of choosing work to display.
“Creating a gallery wall can feel daunting, so we start by evaluating the space’s meaning and purpose,” explains Bless Your Nest. “Will it be in a living area, bedroom, den, or entertainment space? Understanding this helps guide the selection of pictures, art, and other items. Once the intention is clear, we assess the available space and work inward to determine the focal piece, which should reflect the room’s purpose. We also balance portrait and landscape orientations while adding an element to break up the structured frames—such as dimensional artwork, meaningful word art, or wall-mounted bud vases that bring a seasonal touch. A well-designed gallery wall shares your story and sparks conversation.”
With a like-minded approach, Laurie Champ, lead designer of Collected Living Design, based in Liberty, MO, shares her way of filling a gallery wall with a centerpiece. “We love a gallery wall to fill up a space and show off some personality through artwork. I think sometimes people need to remember that if their wall is very large, they will need to incorporate larger pieces to keep the scale looking correct. I also love to recommend mixing art styles. Vintage sketches and modern abstracts look beautiful together and it is so much more interesting to look at when it’s not all a uniform style of art.”
5. Choose the right frames and artwork for your aesthetic
The frames and artwork you choose set the tone for your gallery wall. A reclaimed frame can add a touch of history, while a sleek, glass-free design keeps things effortlessly cool. Consider the pieces themselves. Do you plan to showcase black-and-white photography, bold abstract art, or a mix of both? Selecting frames with a common thread can help unify different styles, making your gallery wall feel cohesive and intentional.
According to Rita Schulz, Interior Designer and Owner of Aesthetic Eclectic Studio based in the Midwest, “Curating the perfect gallery wall starts with having a loose theme in mind. Whatever your preference is, whether that is all neutral artwork, or photographic prints, etc. You don’t have to adhere to this theme too strictly, rather think of it as a guide to assist you when selecting individual pieces. This will help ensure that your gallery wall has a cohesive look and feel, which will create a more visually pleasing installation that appears thoughtfully collected, rather than haphazard.”
Alex Azra of Catalyst Construction based in Austin, TX, adds that a well-designed gallery wall should align with your home’s aesthetic. “A well-designed gallery wall adds personality and style to any space, but the key to making it work is aligning it with your home’s aesthetic. Whether you prefer a sleek, modern grid, a playful mid-century asymmetry, or a classic, eclectic mix, the right layout and frame choices create a cohesive and intentional look. Keeping spacing consistent, balancing frame sizes, and placing the focal point at eye level ensures a polished design.”
6. Use your intuition for creating a gallery wall
Sometimes the best approach to creating a gallery wall is trusting your instincts. Rather than following strict rules, let the arrangement flow naturally while maintaining a sense of balance. Elsa Jewett, Feng Shui practitioner and a professional organizer of Awakened Home, based in the Denver and Boulder, CO metro areas, shares her approach.
“The key is balance and making the arrangement interesting without overshadowing the individual pieces. I like to start with a piece that holds significance or features bold colors that naturally draw the eye. From there, I arrange surrounding pieces in a way that feels intuitive, ensuring each one remains easily viewable. The central anchor doesn’t always have to be in the middle; it can be off to the side, guiding the flow of the collage. Ultimately I rely more on intuition than rigid structure, allowing the composition to come together organically.”
7. Get creative and let loose
It’s easy to get caught up in perfecting a gallery wall and forget to have fun with it. This is your reminder to let your arrangement flow past the usual borders and take on a life of its own. Lee Waters Design, offering design services within the greater Richmond, VA area, encourages a more freeform approach.
“Don’t be afraid to break the mold. The most captivating gallery walls defy formulaic placement, embracing hanging art above and below standard eye level. And definitely avoid creating a visual “box” that everything sits within. You can create a cohesive energy through close spacing of only a few inches between pieces, and selecting the pieces based on shared colors or subject matter. Because these arrangements are often a collection of smaller treasures, place them where they can be enjoyed up close—hallways and powder bathrooms are great options.”
8. Plan a layout before you hang your gallery
Once you have all of your frames picked out and the artwork within them, start planning your layout before you get to hanging. This time is essential to achieving a balanced and intentional look, while also playing around with different arrangements.
Andrea Nguyen, CEO and Owner of Area Floors in Clackamas, OR, compares the process of choosing the right tiles for your floors, to planning a gallery wall.
“Consider your wall’s ‘foundation.’ Just like choosing the right tile, start with a balanced layout and a consistent color palette to unify your pieces. Play with varying frame sizes and textures to add depth, and don’t be afraid to mock up your arrangement on the floor first, ensuring a seamless visual before you commit to hanging. Think of it as laying out a stunning mosaic, but for your walls.”
Building on that, Emma Messerschmidt, Principal Designer of 7 Sister Interiors, based in Solana Beach, CA, offers great advice to achieve a natural flow to your gallery. “Creating the perfect gallery wall is all about balance and storytelling. Start by selecting a mix of frame styles and sizes to add depth while maintaining a cohesive color palette. Lay out your design on the floor first, focusing on a central anchor piece and working outward for a natural flow. Leave enough room between the frames allowing it to breathe.”
9. Hang your frames and work with precision
Hanging art is all about finding the perfect placement for your space. Most galleries aim for the center of the piece to be around 59 inches (150 centimeters) from the floor, which is eye level for most people. However, as Lee Waters Design said, “Don’t be afraid to break the mold.” Hang your pieces wherever it’s most interesting to you. Use a level and a pencil to mark where the holes go before drilling, and double-check your measurements to make sure everything is balanced. Instead of using wire, try D-rings. Many frames already come with them, so just remove the wire and screw directly into the rings. It’ll help keep your art straight and secure for years to come.
10. Keep Your Gallery Wall Looking Its Best
Once your gallery wall is up, it’s important to maintain its beauty. Keeping your art and frames clean not only enhances their appearance but also ensures they stay looking fresh for years. The Cleany’s Team, NYC‘s premier home and office cleaning concierge, shares their advice.
“A beautifully curated gallery wall stands out even more in a clean and well-maintained space. Start by selecting a mix of artwork, photos, and frames that reflect your style, keeping consistent spacing for a polished look. Before hanging, test different layouts on the floor or with paper templates to find the perfect arrangement. Regular dusting and professional cleaning help maintain the beauty of your display, ensuring your home looks fresh and inviting.”
How to create a gallery wall and make empty space a focal point
Learning how to create a gallery wall is an exciting and personal way to bring your space to life. By exploring different wall art décor ideas, focusing on your style, and experimenting with frames and layouts, you can transform an empty wall into a stunning visual narrative that speaks to your personality. Remember, there are no hard-and-fast rules—your gallery wall should reflect who you are and tell your unique story. So, trust your instincts, plan carefully, and enjoy the process of turning that blank space into a true work of art.
