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I have always wanted a gallery wall (or two) in my home. I love the idea of displaying my art prints I like – and also define my personal taste. A well-laid gallery wall allow us to display all of our favourite prints – so unique to us, bring together a collection of our favourite art pieces at once and it can add endless visual interest to any room. You can either mix them regardless of style, colours or it can even be a mixed media wall or items on the wall can show some similarity – it’s up to you, either way can work if you want it to be. From the entryway to the stairway, there are many opportunities to add a bold focal point to your home and showcase beautiful photographs, artwork, and unique items like that treasured flea market find.
Putting together a gallery wall can seem like a daunting task. When we created ours in our living room, it took a long time to pick the pieces we liked and find the right place for them on the chosen wall. Making it look cohesive and put together, but also varied enough to create interest – that’s the job.
These are the most important practical tips in my view.
Don’t be a copy cat
Seen a great idea on Pinterest or on Instagram? Really really liked it? That’s great, use it as an inspiration but don’t copy every single wall art piece and set your heart on the very same look – it’s someone else’s personal taste, you will not feel any connection to it when on your wall, because it’s not your taste and work that went to it. So don’t go the easy way, but put some research in in and find the individual art prints, your own photos printed on canvas or frames – but make it your own. Singulart, the online art gallery, is worth exploring for original works that help create a truly personal gallery wall.
Framed photographic prints are a good option when putting together a gallery wall, particularly if you want to mix different subjects while keeping the overall display consistent. Choosing the same frame colour and mount style can help bring together landscapes, black and white photography and more colourful artwork. Fotoviva’s framed art prints are made to order using photographs from independent photographers, with a choice of black, ash or walnut wooden frames and white mounts. This makes it easier to choose individual photographs that suit your taste while maintaining a consistent finish across the wall.
Draw a plan for the layout
Sit down with a few pieces of paper and a tape measurer and start planning. You cannot get around this, don’t just start randomly hanging 8-10 pictures in a blank space. Seriously, you’ll thank for this as every mistake will damage your wall and paint no matter what method are you choosing for hanging the pictures. This can be done on a piece of scale paper or simply in Google Sheets or Excel (take photos of each picture and crop them to fit in the right scale) or you can even use free online gallery wall designer tools.
Change is the only constant
I, for one, often like a little change here and there. I like adding things to my interior and getting rid of others as my personal taste evolves. No difference when it comes to my gallery wall. We have just put it together a few month ago and I’m pretty chuffed with it at the moment, but I’m also sure, that I sooner or later will come across an art piece I will fall in love instantly and will want to add it to the gallery wall – and something else on the wall will have to find a new place in our home. I think this is how gallery walls can become a blue print of how ones personal taste evolves.
Different Types of Gallery Walls
You and I might be an art aficionado, a photography lover, or simply want to display photos you’ve taken with family and friends, a gallery wall can be exactly what you are after.
The Classic Art Gallery Wall
This type of gallery wall is basically a collection of your framed artwork. You might choose works that share a similar color palette, style, or subject matter. For example, you could select contemporary pieces in bold colors for a vibrant look or classic black and white photographs for a more timeless feel. Arrange the artworks symmetrically for a polished finish, with even spacing between frames.
The Eclectic Gallery Wall
If you like me, admire a more bohemian or free-spirited arrangment, an eclectic gallery wall will suit you perfectly. This type is about mixing various frame styles, sizes, and artwork types. Combine paintings, photographs, mirrors, and even textiles or three-dimensional objects for a truly eclectic look. When creating an eclectic display, balance is STILL the key; try to maintain visual interest without overwhelming the viewer. An asymmetrical arrangement can often work too.
The Thematic Gallery Wall
A themed gallery wall brings together different pieces based on a particular interest, topic or theme. For example, travel lovers might create a wall featuring maps, souvenirs, and photographs from their own adventures (I love this btw). A nature lover may display botanical prints alongside framed nature photography. Choose a unifying theme that reflects your passions or experiences!
The Family Photo Gallery Wall
Family photo walls are incredibly popular for living spaces. (I have one in the dining room myself!) Curate a collection of your favorite family memories, capturing moments from vacations, birthdays, and everyday life. Basically, your favourite family pics. You can use frames in a uniform color or style, or use totally different ones. You might also use a combination of black and white with a few colorful images. Why not? It’s your gallery wall. Maybe you can also add funny captions under each photo to narrate a story or include significant dates.
The Inspirational Quote Gallery Wall
This, I’ll be honest with you, not my cup of tea. But I will include it, because many people love this and we are not judging tastes. This type of gallery wall revolves around the power of words. Frame motivational quotes, affirmations, or lyrics that resonate with you or reminds you important moments in life. You can mix these with visuals—think typography art blended with photographs or illustrations. A wall of positivity not only beautifies your space but can also serve as a daily reminder of what motivates you.
The Seasonal Gallery Wall
For those who love to refresh their décor periodically (and if you are reusing he decor by rotating them, why not?), a seasonal gallery wall can be part of it. You can adapt the display according to the seasons or holidays. For instance, in autumn, you could feature warm-toned art or framed leaves, while during winter, you might display snowy scenes or holiday-themed pieces. Same with photos.
Let me know which one is your favourite idea!