Gallery walls are a design element that truly stands the test of time, much like classic hardwood floors or elegant marble accents. They bring personality and visual interest to any space. However, the idea of creating your own photo wall might initially feel overwhelming. Finding the right art, selecting frames, and arranging everything just so can seem like a daunting task. But don’t worry! We’ve perfected a simple formula for creating gallery walls that are both stylish and personal. We use this formula for countless interior design projects, and many of us have beautiful photo walls in our own homes. So, how exactly do you put together a photo wall that looks professionally curated? Let’s dive in and explore all the essential elements for a successful photo wall, along with helpful tips to guide you.
For those who prefer a quick guide, here’s our tried-and-true, step-by-step formula to kickstart your photo wall project:
But if you’re ready to relax, grab a coffee, and delve deeper into the process of creating a gallery wall, join us as we break down each step in detail.
Plan Before You Nail: Lay Out Your Photo Wall on the Floor First
Before you start hammering nails and potentially damaging your walls, the most crucial step is to plan your photo wall layout on the floor. This simple pre-planning technique can save you from unnecessary holes and ensure a visually balanced arrangement.
Here’s how to do it effectively:
- Measure Your Wall Space: First, determine the area on your wall where you envision your photo wall. Measure the width and height of this space.
- Outline the Area on the Floor: Using painter’s tape, mark out the exact dimensions of your measured wall space on your floor. Alternatively, if you have a large roll of paper (like kid’s art paper), you can tape strips together to create a paper template of your wall area.
- Arrange Your Pieces Within the Outline: Now, place all the picture frames, art pieces, and decorative items you plan to include in your gallery wall within the taped outline on the floor. This is where the fun begins! You can experiment with different arrangements, move pieces around, and visualize how everything will look together without committing to any nail holes. This step allows you to play with spacing, balance, and the overall aesthetic until you achieve a layout you love.
Hot Tip: Aim for approximately 3 inches of space between each piece in your photo wall. This spacing generally creates a balanced and uncluttered look, preventing the arrangement from feeling too crowded.
Establish a Cohesive Color Palette for a Harmonious Look
While there are no strict rules when it comes to personalizing your photo wall, establishing a cohesive color palette can significantly elevate its visual appeal, giving it a more curated and intentionally designed feel. If you prefer a more unified aesthetic, consider selecting a color palette to guide your choices.
Think about maintaining a similar tone and intensity across your pieces. For example, in a vintage-inspired photo wall, you might opt for a palette of neutrals, soft blues, and touches of gold, as seen in the example above. This approach doesn’t mean everything needs to be the same color, but rather that the colors should complement each other and create a sense of harmony.
Once you’re satisfied with your floor layout, take a photo with your phone to remember the arrangement. This photo will be your visual guide as you begin transferring pieces to the wall. For a precise approach, you can measure the placement of each piece on the floor and replicate those measurements on the wall. Or, if you prefer a more spontaneous method, you can “wing it,” adjusting as you go. If you created a paper template, you can even tape the entire template to the wall, mark nail positions directly on the paper, and nail through the paper. Once the nails are in place, the paper easily tears away, leaving your nail guides perfectly positioned.
With the foundational steps covered, let’s explore the finer details that will give your photo wall a professionally styled and polished appearance.
Anchor Your Display with a Large, Statement Piece
Begin your wall arrangement by placing your largest artwork or frame first. This will act as an anchor for your entire photo wall. For smaller gallery walls, consider positioning your largest piece in one of the outer corners. For larger collections, placing it slightly off-center but towards the middle is often more visually engaging. The off-center placement encourages the eye to move around the entire gallery wall, rather than focusing solely on the center.
- Weekend II Print
- Sepia Wilderness Paper Banner
- Cesarea Terme II” Art Print
- “Roast Chicken” Print
- “Santa Cesarea Terme II” Art Print
- Monique Muse Flying High Art Print
- Dark Fields Framed Canvas
Create Balance with Your Second Largest Piece
After placing your anchor piece, the next step is to strategically position your second largest item. A visually pleasing technique is to place it diagonally from your largest piece. This could be close by or further across the wall, depending on your overall layout. With your two largest pieces in place, the majority of the framework is established. Now, it’s simply a matter of filling in the spaces between and around them with your remaining pieces. You’re well on your way to completing your photo wall!
Mix Horizontal and Vertical Pieces for Visual Interest
To prevent your photo wall from feeling static or predictable, incorporate a variety of frame orientations. A balanced mix of vertical and horizontal pieces adds dynamism and visual interest. If your largest pieces are horizontal, try placing a smaller vertical piece adjacent to it (either centered or bottom-aligned). Conversely, if you have prominent vertical pieces, balance them with horizontal artwork nearby. This approach helps create a visually engaging flow as you move inward from your larger anchor pieces.
For an added layer of sophistication, consider creating mini-grids or groupings within your photo wall. Arranging two, three, or four pieces together in a grid-like fashion is like creating a gallery wall within a gallery wall. This technique adds a structured element and can look incredibly polished and intentional.
- Alain
- Antique Original Oil Painting
- Happy Go Lucky 2
- Collector No. 2
- Perennials A
- ML Cotton Rag Paper and Jute
- Vintage Modernist Oil Painting
- Bewitched
- Landscape Collage 69
Don’t Be Afraid to Mix and Match Frame Styles
The more expansive your wall space and the larger your collection of pieces, the more adventurous you can be with mixing frame styles. However, if you’re concerned about your photo wall becoming too chaotic, start with a curated selection of three frame styles and see how you feel.
Classic combinations include:
- Clean and Simple: White frames, black frames, and wood frames offer a timeless and versatile base.
- Modern Mix: Combine two modern frame styles, such as simple black or white frames with a simple dark or light wood frame. Then, introduce one more ornate frame style to add a touch of personality and contrast – perhaps a gold frame for a hint of glamour.
- Walking Along
- The Baobab Tree Print
- Collage Bouquet Wall Art
- Within the Lines
- Petite Study No. II Unframed Print
- Red Plums on Linen Tablecloth
- Highland Prairie Framed Wall Art
- Nude On Orange With Blue Buttocks Print
- Cover
Break the Square Mold: Incorporate Unframed and Unique Items
Don’t feel confined to only using framed pieces. To add unexpected flair and texture to your photo wall, incorporate unframed items and alternative art forms. Consider including:
- Photo Strips: Use clips to hang casual photo strips for a playful touch.
- Canvas Boards: Integrate small painted canvases or boards for a textural element.
- Textiles: Add flags, tapestries, or interesting fabric pieces to introduce softness and pattern.
- Sculptural Elements: Incorporate small ceramic pieces or other decorative objects for depth and dimension.
Introducing a round piece, such as a circular canvas or embroidery hoops, can also create a visual break from the rectilinear dominance of framed pieces, softening the overall grid-like structure of a gallery wall.
- Wood Knot Figure Eight
- Anchal Project Triangle Quilt Throw
- Medium Arch
- Brazilian White Concrete Wall Decor Panel II
- Steph Trowbridge Wavy Wall Piece
- We Are Each Others Magnitude & Bond Banner
- Handwoven Wall Hanging
- Autumn Trees Black Wool Tapestry 39” By Ackerman
- Garland27: Pare Small White w/Balls
Elevate Everyday Items with Float Mounting
Float mounting is a simple framing technique that instantly elevates the presentation of almost anything. Consider float mounting personal mementos like:
- Polaroids
- Ticket stubs
- Stamps
- Keys
- Small handwritten notes
Float mounting is more accessible than ever. You can utilize professional framing services like Framebridge, or easily create your own float mounts using shadowbox frames from stores like Ikea. Simply use foam adhesive stickers from a craft store and a piece of matte board or card stock to mount your item within the shadowbox frame, creating a sophisticated floating effect.
Infuse Personality: Anything Can Be Art
While digital prints and affordable art are excellent options for building a gallery wall, incorporating personal items is key to making your display truly unique and meaningful. Including only digital prints can sometimes make a gallery wall feel somewhat generic or catalog-like.
Be sure to weave in personal touches such as:
- Children’s artwork
- Drawings from friends
- Vintage family photos
- Postcards from travels
A Polaroid printer is a fantastic tool for instantly transforming photos from your phone into tangible prints ready to display on your photo wall.
Remember, the definition of “art” is wonderfully broad. Don’t hesitate to frame and display items that hold sentimental value or spark joy, even if they aren’t traditional art pieces. Consider framing:
- Cocktail napkins from special occasions
- Ultrasound images
- Wedding vows (a truly personal and romantic touch!)
The possibilities are endless – let your creativity and personal story guide your choices.
- Polaroid Camera
- Framed Object with Depth
- Tortoise Frame with Striped Mat Custom Frame
- Magnetic Poster Hanger
- Framed Custom Mini Watercolor
- Instant Gallery
- Acrylic Floating Shadow Box Gallery Frame
- Custom House Illustration
- Insta Print Thermal Printing Instant Camera
Finally, remember to enjoy the process! Creating a photo wall should be a fun and rewarding experience. While it might seem like a lot of steps initially, once your photo wall is complete, it will be an incredibly satisfying and personalized focal point in your home.
Now you have all the tools and inspiration you need to create your own stunning photo wall. Start planning, gather your favorite pieces, and transform your walls into a beautiful reflection of your personality and style!
