How to create a gallery wall in a bedroom?

A gallery wall or photo wall is one of the most uncomplicated and efficient ideas for making plain walls look less boring, focusing on one or several points, and adding character and individuality to living space.

There are a few rules to consider when decorating with art. A good gallery wall should ideally try to have a theme in terms of color or style, for instance, abstract black and white prints or seascapes. On the other hand, you can go random, placing things like color prints and typography together with the family photos, which might seem strange, but that’s the point – it’s a gallery wall!

There are two main approaches to creating a gallery wall:

DIY Gallery Wall: Hang your photographs and artwork placing every one of them in the right size picture frames for the wall.

Curated Art Sets: Buy a matching set of framed wall art prints of botanical or landscape nature which can be easily put up on the wall.

1. First Thing’s First

Gallery walls can be of any size, design, and form and every type has its unique beauty. Some have symmetrical grids while others have fewer features and huge spaces in between the arts. Some take the extra step of including every possible art conceivable into a given wall and all of them look great!

When you hear a “do this”, there is always a “but there are exceptions” when it comes to gallery walls. They are very intimate and should be as unique as the personalities of people who are involved.

2. Selection of Art

a. Repeat Colors 2-3 Times

It is easier to select new art for the gallery wall when there is a coordinating color scheme. When using components, try to include some color 2-3 times in the collection to avoid chaos. This does not mean that every piece has to be the same color; it means each artwork should have 1-2 similar colors or shades to the others.

b. Vary Your Art Styles

To get the best of a gallery wall, it is recommended that one combines various styles of art and photography. This variety enriches the collection and lets each work serve its purpose without competing with the other works.

Like the color rule, it is convenient to depict each style 2-3 times. For instance, one can use three photographs, two abstracts, two portraits, and two line drawings as a way of presenting art.

c. Mix Up Sizes and Orientations

It would be most attractive if the gallery’s walls contained works of art of different sizes. Select 1-3 large paintings and combine them with smaller paintings of average size. Also, do not limit just to vertical or horizontal orientation, it will be better to combine them in your work!

d. Get Personal!

There is nothing wrong with using personal items! Of course, family pictures are perfect, but you can add other items such as children’s drawings, letters of relatives, or class photographs of a great-grandparent. These elements bring value to the gallery wall and make it much more interesting.

3. Measure Up

It is wise to start by taking the measurements of your walls and then arrange the content on the floor to determine the size and placement. You should think about whether you want the square look with all the items in straight lines, or more natural. As for the layout of the pieces, is there any more to place or do you have to replace something?

‘The best thing that one can do before fixing the actual artwork on the wall is to first lay the artwork on the floor and then try to get the best arrangement,’ Dee says. This approach enables some modifications to be made and this guarantees a well-balanced display.

4. Mix Frame Finishes and Styles

You do not want to match them or stick with one type of finish or style—three is a good rule of thumb. Normally, any type of wood like birch or walnut, any type of metal like brass or silver, and any neutral color like white or black is preferred. If you are going to use more finishes then you should make at least 2-3 pieces from each type to make the balance.

If you prefer a uniform finish, consider varying the styles or widths of the frames. This approach makes it easier to find black frames in various sizes without the hassle of matching the same narrow style across all pieces.

5. Budget-Friendly Framing Tips

Store-bought frames and custom mats can be your budget-saving allies. If you can’t find frames with the right-sized mats, consider having custom mats made. Local framing or craft stores can create mats to your exact specifications, usually costing between $10-$30—much more affordable than full custom framing.

If you need a large frame on a budget, look for already framed art at budget-friendly stores like Target. You can often remove the existing artwork and use the frame for your pieces. Just be aware that the backing may be glued or stapled so you may need some time to change out the art.

In children’s bedrooms, it is possible to have fun with the frame color, or use poster hanger-style frames to add variety!

6. The keys to selecting the right place for your gallery wall

This is important due to the two aspects; how you will hang the piece and the area in the home that will hold the piece. For example, over a sofa, one can place a set of small framed prints or photographs because they are mounted high enough not to get in the way of the seats beneath them. A perfect example of this is the gallery wall in the home of Instagrammer @thepajaamahub where a combination of prints, sketches graphic typography, and portraits looks simply fantastic.

By primarily using black frames the works become connected in this otherwise heterogenic group of items. One of the best approaches to harmonizing various styles is when the frames are in the same color. As for what Amara is going to do with her feature wall, it is difficult to say, but she has made an interesting asymmetrical triangular image with her collection. The beauty of gallery walls is that they are scalable; you can design and expand them as you progress in your business.

7. Displaying Larger Art Pieces

Big canvases become problematic with how to position them in an average home but they can create such a grand statement when you use an entire wall, ceiling to floor. Other items such as lamps or side tables placed in front of the display can also create interest.

There is no need to keep an equal distance when hanging pieces of different sizes so do not stress yourself. Accept the natural curves that are produced due to this technique. In general, maintain frames closer to each other, with about 5-10 cm in between the frames for continuity.

8. Gallery Wall Planning

It is, however, important to have a plan before you start nailing holes in the wall. When it comes to planning the layout of your gallery wall there are several methods and you might use one or more of the methods I am going to discuss below.

Digitally

Pre-designing through digital tools is particularly helpful when you are thinking of buying new artwork because you can create a mock-up of your gallery wall. It enables you to get an idea of how they will fit your room before you go out to shop for them. It involves a little bit of measuring and scale, yet it offers a perfect impression of the general plan.

On the Floor

This is probably the simplest and least expensive method of planning your gallery wall and it does not involve any calculations!

First of all, take a measuring tape to measure the height and width of the wall where you wish to create the art. Find an area on the floor with that size or slightly larger. There is one way to do it; place a measuring tape along the base and another along the side. Another way that you can demarcate the four corners of the space is by using books or pillows.

After that, it is necessary to take Kraft paper (paper grocery bags are suitable) and cut it according to the sizes of each of artwork. Starting with a painter’s tape, you can start marking your layout where you want the paper cutouts to be placed to have a feel of how it will look when in place.

9. Hanging Your Gallery Wall

To hang your gallery wall, gather some essential tools: also picture hooks and a hammer, and if you are a beginner, you may use paper cutouts. Other items you will require include a pencil, eraser, ruler, and wall filler in case you make some mistakes.

First, it is recommended by the team at Artfinder to lightly mark where the top corners of your frames will be on the wall. Take the measurement of how much lower you desire the nail holes to be from these marks. Once you’ve got your measurements, hammer in the nails or hooks. It is important to use a spirit level to check that everything is level.

When hanging your art, you should be very careful with the kind of space between the prints that you create. Dee’s words are also quite appropriate here: “It is critical to maintain consistent distances for a neat and balanced design, yet there is nothing wrong with using different frame sizes.” This thoughtful arrangement will improve the general appearance of your gallery wall!

FAQs

How much space should be allowed in between the frames?

It is recommended to have equal spacing, normally 2-3 inches between frames for a better look. We recommend this, but of course, you can change depending on the size of the pieces you are working with.

What is the best way to group my gallery wall?

Two broad options are the symmetrical grid and the more free-form layout. You should place your pieces on the floor so that you can rearrange them before hanging them on the walls.

What tools am I going to require to hang my art pieces?

For the job, you will require nails or picture hooks, a hammer, pencil, ruler, spirit level, and possibly filler for any blunders.

What if I’m renting and can’t use nails?

Some of the no-nail hanging solutions include adhesive hooks, and picture hanger strips that will not affect your walls.

Can I modify the layout at one point in the future?

Gallery walls are flexible! Feel free to shift or even switch furniture pieces as you change your mind about the overall decor. Just remember to plug in any nail holes in case you will change the position of some of your items.

Key Elements for Designing a Gallery Wall