How to Create a Gallery Wall

what is a gallery wall?

A gallery wall (or photo wall) is a curated collection of wall art hung in a grouping. To make a gallery wall, consider using framed wall prints and photos, memorabilia, paintings, sculptural objects and more. It’s an easy way to add a lot of personality to any room—living room, dining room, even kitchen or bathroom. Gallery walls also bring visual interest to unexpected spots like an entryway or powder room.

Whether casual, eclectic or artfully modern, gallery walls are suitable for any style decor. Gallery or collage walls make use of vertical space by adding an extra layer of color, texture and dimension to the room. When it comes to arrangement, the options are endless. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to make a gallery wall and the different ways you can design it.

It takes some planning to achieve the best gallery wall layout. When planning a gallery wall, we like to lay picture frames for photos out on the ground to get an idea for what the arrangement and spacing will look like on the wall. Start with the largest piece in the middle and add more pieces around it, keeping an eye on the balance of materials and color and visual flow from one piece to the next. Then, create visual interest by designing a gallery wall layout with sizes that vary from large to small. In addition, consider switching up how the frames are placed—vertically or horizontally.

Another technique when designing a gallery wall configuration is mapping out the arrangement of frames on the wall using paper. Trace all of your frames onto a large piece of Kraft paper, then cut them out and tape them to the wall. It’s easy to move them around until you get the balance you want, then use the paper template as a guide for where to place your nails and hanging hardware. We suggest placing wall art at eye level, about five feet from the floor. If you have higher ceilings you can get away with arranging your gallery wall higher.

Level up the vibe of your home (and get share-worthy results) with a modern gallery wall in the living room. Not only will it help to create a focal point, it can also act as a storyboard of your life.

Need some tips or ideas for a gallery wall? When hanging a photo wall keep in mind, large picture frames look good with a little more breathing room, while small photo frames tend to look best when grouped more closely together. Hanging your gallery wall designs may feel like a big commitment, but once you begin you’ll start to see a natural pattern emerge. For more style inspo, read on to explore picture wall ideas for the living room.

One entryway wall idea is to utilize large open wall spaces for treased mementos, wall sculptures and more. It curates a meaningful hallway or entryway gallery wall that will delight your guests and remind you of people and places you love. Mix and match different pieces to create a look that gives the right balance of personality and style.

As you begin to hang your pieces, don’t forget to take a step back from time to time to get a sense of perspective. We also recommend using a few pieces of adhesive on the back of frames to prevent them from moving out of place.

Choosing the right frames for your photo gallery wall depends on the style of your space. Using different sized and shaped frames will give you a more playful and eclectic photo wall in the living room or serve as stylish decor above the bed. For a sophisticated feel, keep your gallery wall frames and color palette consistent.

Metal frames

Matted, metal frames have a secret superpower: they can turn your kids’ doodles, finger paintings, cartoons and more into gallery-worthy pieces.

Wood frames

Simple and natural wood frames hung with lots of negative space, scaled-up sizing and a cohesive palette give off an airy, modern vibe.

Gallery Clips

This easy-to-use option is ideal for swapping in new unframed artwork or pictures. They look great on their own and mix in wonderfully alongside framed artwork.