How to Create a Gallery Wall: An Easy Step-by-Step Guide
Gallery Walls That Wow: Your Personal Art Story
There’s nothing like a gallery wall to make a space uniquely yours. It’s a collection of art, memories, and personality—all in one eye-catching display. Whether you’re working with heirloom prints, vacation finds, or playful sketches, a great gallery wall reflects your style and brings joy to your space. Ready to create your own? Let’s dive into a step-by-step guide.
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A good gallery wall makes you pause and reflect on your travels, memories, and interests. It's a visual celebration of your life that you get to enjoy daily.
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Table of contents
1. Gather Your Art
Collect paintings, prints, and frame them—get everything ready to go.
When gathering art, think about pieces that tell your story. We love collecting prints from travels, giving thrifted paintings a fresh start, and incorporating keepsakes like needlepoints or framed cards. These personal touches add depth and meaning to your gallery wall. You can keep the frames eclectic for a playful look or stick to a single color for a more cohesive, polished vibe.
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2. Visualize Your Space
Decide where your gallery wall will shine and make sure it fits the vibe.
Gallery walls work beautifully around TVs, computer screens, and above furniture. They’re also perfect for large walls with interruptions like electronics—art can seamlessly tie the space together while maintaining a cohesive and stylish aesthetic. Let your gallery wall complement the room’s function while elevating its design.
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3. Sort by Size
Lay out your art from smallest to largest—it’s easier to plan this way.
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4. Start with Key Pieces
Anchor Your Wall with Larger Favorites
Choose a few larger pieces you love to serve as the foundation of your gallery wall. Start with these in the center and work outward, ensuring the design feels balanced and cohesive.
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5. Arrange on the Floor
Play with the layout, considering color and flow. Make your eyes dance around the design.
When arranging, think of bold colors and striking shapes as focal points that naturally draw the eye. Use these pieces to anchor your design. Additionally, the general shapes within your artwork—like sweeping lines, curves, or repeated patterns—can guide the viewer’s gaze around the wall. Aim to create a sense of movement that flows effortlessly from one piece to the next, keeping the arrangement visually engaging and dynamic. Don't be afraid to experiment and adjust until it feels just right!
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Key Tip:
Mind the Gap
Keep your margins consistent—2-3" between each piece is a great rule of thumb to elevate the look of your gallery wall. For smaller pieces that can’t tuck in as close, maintain even spacing on all sides to keep the arrangement balanced and polished.
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6. Hang It Up:
Jump In and Make It Yours
Start with the big pieces, then follow your floor layout step by step. Be sure to account for where the hooks or hanging hardware are on each piece. Carefully mark your nail hole spots so the artwork hangs exactly where you’ve planned—this will save you time and keep your gallery wall looking polished and aligned.
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7. See the Big Picture
Your gallery wall is complete—step back and see how it ties your space together with style and personality.
A great gallery wall isn’t just about filling empty space—it’s about creating a conversation. Every artwork, photograph, and print speaks volumes about who you are. Take a moment to let it enjoy your taste and personality. Notice how the colors, shapes, and themes you've chosen interact with each other. It’s your very own curated collection that brings life and soul to your home. Let it shine!
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