How to Make a Photo Gallery Wall: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Stunning Displays

Gallery walls are a timeless decor trend, much like classic hardwood floors or elegant marble accents. They bring personality and style to any space. However, creating your own photo gallery wall can initially feel overwhelming. Sourcing art and curating personal photos takes time and effort. But don’t worry, we’ve perfected the gallery wall formula here at dfphoto.net. We frequently design them for various projects, and many of us have them in our own homes. So, how exactly do you create a captivating photo gallery wall?

Guess what? This article is your ultimate guide! Keep reading as we walk you through every element of a successful photo gallery wall, complete with tips and ideas to inspire you.

For those eager to dive straight into the process, here’s our foolproof, step-by-step photo gallery wall formula:

But if you prefer a more detailed walkthrough of the photo gallery wall creation process, grab your coffee and join us…

1. Plan Before You Nail: Lay Out Your Photo Gallery Wall First

Before you start hammering nails into your wall, let’s quickly cover a crucial “how-to” – how to avoid unnecessary holes!

Measure Your Space: Determine the wall area you want your photo gallery to occupy.
Map it Out: Use painter’s tape to mark out these dimensions on your floor. Alternatively, use wide paper rolls taped together to create a larger surface area.
Arrange Your Photos: Lay all your chosen photos and art pieces within the taped area. Now, you can experiment with different arrangements, shifting pieces around until you find a layout you love, all without damaging your walls. This ensures your photos harmonize beautifully together. For a visual demonstration, Emily Henderson offers a helpful IGTV tutorial.

Hot Tip: Aim for approximately 3 inches of spacing between your photos to prevent a cluttered look.

2. Establish a Cohesive Color Palette for Your Photo Display

While not mandatory, a cohesive color palette can elevate your photo gallery wall, giving it a more curated and polished appearance. If you prefer a more personal and eclectic feel, feel free to skip this step. However, if you desire a more refined look, consider sticking to a color palette. Try to select photos and art with similar tones and intensity. For example, in the vintage painting gallery wall above, the palette features neutrals, blues, and touches of gold.

Once you’re satisfied with your floor layout, capture a photo with your phone for reference. Then, begin transferring your photos and art to the wall. If you’re meticulous, you can measure each placement. Or, if you’re impatient (like some of us!), you can “wing it.” If you used a paper template, simply tape it to the wall, mark nail positions through the paper, and nail directly into the paper. The paper easily tears away around the nails once they’re in place!

Now, let’s delve into the specifics of creating a professionally styled photo gallery wall…

3. Go Big: Anchor Your Photo Gallery with a Large Statement Piece

Begin by positioning your largest photo or art piece first, and then build your photo gallery around it. For smaller collections, I often place the largest piece in one of the outer corners. For larger gallery walls, position it slightly off-center, towards the middle. This becomes your focal point for arranging the remaining pieces. Why off-center? It encourages the eye to move across the entire photo gallery, rather than focusing solely on the center.

Weekend II Print | 2. Sepia Wilderness Paper Banner | 3. Cesarea Terme II” Art Print | 4. “Roast Chicken” Print | 4. “Santa Cesarea Terme II” Art Print | 5. Monique Muse Flying High Art Print | 6. Dark Fields Framed Canvas

4. Size Matters: Balance with Your Second Largest Photo or Artwork

After placing your anchor piece, position your second largest photo or artwork diagonally from it. This could be nearby or across the wall. Now, you simply need to fill in the spaces between and around these two anchor pieces. You’re almost there!

5. Mix Orientations: Combine Horizontal and Vertical Photos

To keep your photo gallery wall visually engaging, incorporate a good mix of vertical and horizontal photos and art. If your largest pieces are horizontal, try placing a smaller vertical piece next to it (centered or bottom-aligned), and vice versa. This is an effective way to work inwards from your larger anchor pieces.

Creating mini-grids within your photo gallery by grouping 2, 3, or 4 photos or pieces together adds another layer of visual interest. This “gallery wall inception” technique can create a very cohesive and stylish look.

Alain | 2. Antique Original Oil Painting | 3. Happy Go Lucky 2 | 4. Collector No. 2 | 5. Perennials A | 6. ML Cotton Rag Paper and Jute | 7. Vintage Modernist Oil Painting | 8. Bewitched | 9. Landscape Collage 69

6. Frame Variety: Mix and Match Frame Styles

The larger your wall space and the more photos you include, the more frame styles you can incorporate. If you’re concerned about your photo gallery becoming too chaotic or eclectic, start with three frame styles and see how you feel. Consider a clean and simple approach – white frames, black frames, and a wood option. Or, begin with two modern frames (like simple black or white and a simple dark or light wood) and then introduce one more ornate frame style, perhaps a touch of gold for instance.

Walking Along | 2. The Baobab Tree Print | 3. Collage Bouquet Wall Art | 4. Within the Lines | 5. Petite Study No. II Unframed Print | 6. Red Plums on Linen Tablecloth | 7. Highland Prairie Framed Wall Art | 8. Nude On Orange With Blue Buttocks Print | 9. Cover

7. Think Outside the Square Frame: Incorporate Unframed Photos and Items

Sometimes, breaking away from traditional frames can add unique character to your photo gallery wall. Consider incorporating a photo strip on a clip, a board painting, a textile piece, or even a sculptural ceramic element. Don’t feel confined to framing everything. A round piece, like an oval canvas or embroidery in its hoop, can provide a visual break from the grid-like structure that photo gallery walls can sometimes create.

Wood Knot Figure Eight | 2. Anchal Project Triangle Quilt Throw | 3. Medium Arch | 4. Brazilian White Concrete Wall Decor Panel II | 5. Steph Trowbridge Wavy Wall Piece | 6. We Are Each Others Magnitude & Bond Banner | 7. Handwoven Wall Hanging | 8. Autumn Trees Black Wool Tapestry 39” By Ackerman | 9. Garland27: Pare Small White w/Balls

8. Elevate with Float Mounting for Special Photos

Float mounting instantly adds a touch of sophistication to any item – a polaroid, a ticket stub, a vintage stamp, or a cherished key. Almost anything can be beautifully float mounted. Fortunately, float mounting is easier than ever. You can use professional framing services like Framebridge, or create your own using shadowbox frames from Ikea. Simply use foam adhesive stickers from a craft store and some matte board or card stock to mount your photo or item.

9. Personalize Your Photo Gallery – Anything Can Be Art

Art can be pricey, so digital prints are a fantastic and budget-friendly way to incorporate art while supporting independent artists. However, relying solely on digital prints can make your photo gallery wall feel somewhat generic. Make sure to include personal items and photos to inject your personality! A child’s drawing, a photo of your grandparents, or snapshots from your travels. A Polaroid printer is a fun tool to instantly turn photos from your phone into tangible prints for your wall.

Remember, anything that holds meaning for you can be art! A cocktail napkin from a memorable date, an ultrasound image, or even framed wedding vows (like Emily and Brian’s – a truly sweet touch). The possibilities are endless.

Polaroid Camera | 2. Framed Object with Depth | 3. Tortoise Frame with Striped Mat Custom Frame | 4. Magnetic Poster Hanger | 5. Framed Custom Mini Watercolor | 6. Instant Gallery | 7. Acrylic Floating Shadow Box Gallery Frame | 8. Custom House Illustration | 9. Insta Print Thermal Printing Instant Camera

Finally, embrace the process and have fun! Creating a photo gallery wall might seem daunting initially, but the end result is incredibly rewarding and adds a unique, personal touch to your home.

And for those who prefer auditory learning, here’s a quick overview from Emily and Orlando:

OK, that concludes this guide. But if you’re craving more photo gallery wall inspiration, explore these resources:

RESOURCES:

How to Hang Art Correctly | Trying To Find Affordable Art That’s Colorful But Not Too Bold? Step Right This Way | Affordable Large Scale Art & How To Get It In Your Home | Top 5 Most Affordable Online Art Resources | The Guide to a Well Hung Gallery Wall | The 7 Things You Need to Know Before You Try to Hang That Gallery Wall | Best Online Art Resources | Design Mistakes: Generic Art | 15 Ideas for Hanging Art We Got From You Guys | Stylist Hack: 7 Unexpected Places I Like To Hang Art (To Make Your House Look Unique) | Is This The New Gallery Wall (AKA Gallery Wall 2.0)? | Think Outside the Frame: Wall Hangings Are the Cure for Your Boring Walls | How We Shoot, Edit and Hang Family Photos With Framebridge | How To Choose, Frame And Hang An Art Collection | DESIGN MISTAKE: Different Walls, Same Art Configurations (AKA It’s Time To Bring Life To Your Walls) | Scared To Choose Art? We Showed Our Photographer How To Do It With Pretty And Affordable Options | How We Hung Our Seascape Gallery Wall… Without One Wrong Nail Hole!!

INSPO:

Opening Photo Credit: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: A Budget-Friendly Living and Dining Room