The Basics Of A Gallery Wall

Gallery walls are a classic way to show off art and personality in your home. They are fully customizable and can feature anything from large pieces to small details. The goal of a gallery wall is to fill the space with art you love. Whether that is an original acrylic on canvas or multiple family framed photos, these can cover a small wall or an entire hallway. A gallery wall may seem overwhelming, but in reality, you can make it happen by using some of our tips.

Photo Credit: Veranda/The Glam Pad

Sizing

Start by identifying the biggest piece – this can serve as an anchor for the wall. From here you can build out the wall around that main piece. We recommend using all different sizes, small and large, you can also play with horizontal and vertical pieces to add variety. That is what makes it interesting, as well as treasure hunting to find those pieces.

Spacing

The spacing between each of the pieces is entirely up to you… a good place to show creativity! The beauty of a gallery wall is there are no set rules. We recommend placing the art at least two inches apart. Depending on how deep of a collection you have in numbers, start in the center of the wall and then begin to place outward. It is important to have enough area to be able to stand in front of your gallery wall to digest it all. A traditional gallery wall where the pieces are long and thin across the space is standard but impactful. The more modern “unstructured structure effect” is tricky, yet can be done. Before you starting putting holes in your walls, lay everything out on the floor to test how it will all work together. Once you start hanging, step away in internals to read the wall. Play around rearranging the pieces to find the best fit for you.

Framing

When it comes to framing, you should consider which style you prefer. The more ecliptic or the more uniform. Both styles are effective in the right spaces. The ecliptic approach uses a variety of different colors, thicknesses, and finishes. A more uniform display creates an impactful pattern with symmetry.

Special Pieces

Not everything on your gallery wall has to be your typical artwork. Here’s your chance to add any three-dimensional items, like sconces, plates, or woodcarvings, treasures, etc. This adds character to your wall while showcasing your personal collection.