Ultimate Guide To Gallery Walls And 52 Inspiring Ideas

ultimate guide to gallery walls and 52 inspiring ideas

A gallery wall is a timeless idea to give a character and a story to your home, and each gallery wall is unique in its own way, which makes it a great idea to realize. How to plan your own gallery wall? What things to consider and where to create it? Here are some tips.

Planning

First of all, figure out the gallery wall layout, then choose what artwork you will use and what other elements you will include into decor. Third, decide on frames if any and hang everything up. Answering some questions will help you to decide on various points. Are you going for a particular color scheme in the artwork? Do you need to frame everything or just some of the pieces? Should the frames all be the same color? Do you want a variety of different size frames or should all the frames be the same size? Do you already have all the artwork you need? Do you want to hang any other types of objects other than traditional artwork on canvas/paper?

A beautiful gallery wall with various art, with mismatching black frames will add interest to your boho space.

A beautiful gallery wall with various art, with mismatching black frames will add interest to your boho space.

A black and white gallery wall with matching frames and black and white prints looks chic and elegant.

A black and white gallery wall with matching frames and black and white prints looks chic and elegant.

A bold and cool gallery wall with matching black frames and colored and black and white prints will add to the style.

A bold and cool gallery wall with matching black frames and colored and black and white prints will add to the style.

A bold and eye-catchy gallery wall with various types of art in mismatching black frames will make a statement anywhere.

A bold and eye-catchy gallery wall with various types of art in mismatching black frames will make a statement anywhere.

A bold and jaw-dropping gallery wall with lots of abstract art in mismatching frames gives a character to this neutral space.

A bold and jaw-dropping gallery wall with lots of abstract art in mismatching frames gives a character to this neutral space.

A bold gallery wall with colorful art in mismatching black frames will bring a touch of color and an artful feel.

A bold gallery wall with colorful art in mismatching black frames will bring a touch of color and an artful feel.

A botanical gallery wall with various art in mismatching frames and even faux succulents right on the wall is wow.

A botanical gallery wall with various art in mismatching frames and even faux succulents right on the wall is wow.

A bright gallery wall with mismatching frames and art of various types and sizes for an eclectic feel.

A bright gallery wall with mismatching frames and art of various types and sizes for an eclectic feel.

A chic gallery wall with black and white photos and in matching black frames accents this dining corner.

A chic gallery wall with black and white photos and in matching black frames accents this dining corner.

A chic gallery wall with mismatching neutral and black frames, with various creative art in neutrals and black.

A chic gallery wall with mismatching neutral and black frames, with various creative art in neutrals and black.

A chic gallery wall with mismatching wood and gold frames and various abstract art to accent a little nook.

A chic gallery wall with mismatching wood and gold frames and various abstract art to accent a little nook.

A colorful and cheerful gallery wall with mismatching frames, bright artworks brings a touch of fun to the space.

A colorful and cheerful gallery wall with mismatching frames, bright artworks brings a touch of fun to the space.

A colorful gallery wall with mismatching frames and bold pop art is a creative idea to add fun to the space.

A colorful gallery wall with mismatching frames and bold pop art is a creative idea to add fun to the space.

A colorful gallery wall with mismatching frames and colorful artworks covering two walls is a unique and bold idea.

A colorful gallery wall with mismatching frames and colorful artworks covering two walls is a unique and bold idea.

Layouts

Choosing a layout, you may just pick a template that already exists and copy that. Another idea is to lay your frames on the floor or on a big table in front of you. When you’re happy with how it looks, take measurements and transfer them onto your wall. Don’t forget to take a picture with your phone for reference. Use paper templates on the wall to figure out an arrangement that you like. Trace your frames onto some paper to make templates of your frames. Cut out the shapes and tape them onto your wall to perfect your layout.

As for layouts, there are two main ideas – a grid and a free form. The first one is great for those who like minimalism and simplicity, and the second one will be great for more whimsical, boho and vintage interiors. Building a grid gallery wall, it’s more common to use matching frames and fairly tight spacing in between each frame. A free form gallery wall is usually built around an anchor piece, and they look more like a collage.

A cool gallery wall done with matching neutral and black frames of various sizes and with prints is a stylish idea.

A cool gallery wall done with matching neutral and black frames of various sizes and with prints is a stylish idea.

A crazy gallery wall with mismatching frames and all bold and fun art including posters and prints is a bold idea.

A crazy gallery wall with mismatching frames and all bold and fun art including posters and prints is a bold idea.

A creative boho gallery wall with mismatching art in various frames accented with additional lights is super cool.

A creative boho gallery wall with mismatching art in various frames accented with additional lights is super cool.

A creative gallery wall with bold and unusual artworks and posters in mismatching frames is a very bold idea.

A creative gallery wall with bold and unusual artworks and posters in mismatching frames is a very bold idea.

A creative gallery wall with mismatching frames and bold art, with decorative plates and faux taxidermy is cool.

A creative gallery wall with mismatching frames and bold art, with decorative plates and faux taxidermy is cool.

A creative gallery wall with mismatching gold and black frames of various sizes, with various artworks and posters.

A creative gallery wall with mismatching gold and black frames of various sizes, with various artworks and posters.

A dramatic gallery wall with various types of art, letters, ampersands and even empty frames looks amazing.

A dramatic gallery wall with various types of art, letters, ampersands and even empty frames looks amazing.

A fun and colorful gallery wall with a tropical theme, with prints and naive art in mismatching frames.

A fun and colorful gallery wall with a tropical theme, with prints and naive art in mismatching frames.

A large symmetrical gallery wall with matching white frames and black and white pictures of the family accents the long corridor.

A large symmetrical gallery wall with matching white frames and black and white pictures of the family accents the long corridor.

A minimalist staircase gallery wall in black, white and neutrals with mismatching black and neutral frames.

A minimalist staircase gallery wall in black, white and neutrals with mismatching black and neutral frames.

A modern and fun gallery wall with mismaching gold and black frames is a stylish idea to add a fresh feel to the house.

A modern and fun gallery wall with mismaching gold and black frames is a stylish idea to add a fresh feel to the house.

a modern gallery wall with black and white photos and with matching black frames is a very cool and stylish idea.

a modern gallery wall with black and white photos and with matching black frames is a very cool and stylish idea.

Frames

You don’t have to frame all the pieces in your gallery wall. However the frames you do use should be chosen carefully. Mixing a bunch of different colors, metallics, stained woods etc, could quickly become visually overwhelming. So unless this is the look you are going for, try to limit your frames to a maximum of three different finishes.

A moody symmetrical black and white gallery wall with matching black frames and black and white pics for a moody space.

A moody symmetrical black and white gallery wall with matching black frames and black and white pics for a moody space.

A pretty abstract gallery wall in neutrals, white and black, with various textures is a stylish idea to try.

A pretty abstract gallery wall in neutrals, white and black, with various textures is a stylish idea to try.

A refined and chic gallery wall with mismatching frames, artworks and antlers is a pretty idea with a vintage feel.

A refined and chic gallery wall with mismatching frames, artworks and antlers is a pretty idea with a vintage feel.

A simple symmetrical gallery wall with black and white prints in matching white frames is a cool and chic idea.

A simple symmetrical gallery wall with black and white prints in matching white frames is a cool and chic idea.

A smal gallery wall with pop art and matching black frames is a cool way to accessorize the space and make it cool.

A smal gallery wall with pop art and matching black frames is a cool way to accessorize the space and make it cool.

Variety

A good way to make sure your gallery wall has variety is to mix media. Combine vintage prints, original art, flea market paintings, photographs and maybe even textiles to create a story on your wall. Try to include a range of different art media as well, like watercolor, oil, charcoal drawings, etc. you may also incorporate neon lights or signs, shelves with small decorative objects or plants, baskets, hats, musical instruments and flowers, mirrors, masks.

A small gallery wall with mismatching black frames and pretty and bright artworks and other stuff is a cool idea to take the space over the stairs.

A small gallery wall with mismatching black frames and pretty and bright artworks and other stuff is a cool idea to take the space over the stairs.

A sophisticated gallery wall with mismatching frames and mismatching artworks covering the wall horizontally is super stylish.

A sophisticated gallery wall with mismatching frames and mismatching artworks covering the wall horizontally is super stylish.

A stylish gallery wall with black and white ffamily pics in matching black frames is amazing and looks perfect.

A stylish gallery wall with black and white ffamily pics in matching black frames is amazing and looks perfect.

A stylish gallery wall with black and white photos in matching white frames is a preppy idea with chic.

A stylish gallery wall with black and white photos in matching white frames is a preppy idea with chic.

A stylish gallery wall with matching black frames and black and white farmily pics is a very cool idea to enjoy.

A stylish gallery wall with matching black frames and black and white farmily pics is a very cool idea to enjoy.

A stylish gallery wall with mismatching photos, frames of various sizes and colors is a very cool idea.

A stylish gallery wall with mismatching photos, frames of various sizes and colors is a very cool idea.

Cohesion

It’s a good idea to aim for some cohesion within your gallery wall, this is a very important point for a grid gallery wall, which supposes simplicity and a unified look but for a free form gallery wall some cohesion is also a must. Elements that can create a unified aesthetic in a gallery are: similar genres of artwork, frames in very similar styles/colors, uniform spacing between the frames and all the same frame dimensions.

A stylish symmetrical black and white gallery wall with matching black frames and black and white family pics is a chic idea.

A stylish symmetrical black and white gallery wall with matching black frames and black and white family pics is a chic idea.

A symmetrical gallery wall with matching black frames and black and white artworks is a very elegant and timeless idea.

A symmetrical gallery wall with matching black frames and black and white artworks is a very elegant and timeless idea.

A symmetrical gallery wall with matching black frames and black and white pictures is always a good idea for an elegant touch.

A symmetrical gallery wall with matching black frames and black and white pictures is always a good idea for an elegant touch.

A symmetrical gallery wall with matching blonde wood frames and various family pics is always a good idea for any space.

A symmetrical gallery wall with matching blonde wood frames and various family pics is always a good idea for any space.

A vintage black and white gallery wall with mismatching frames and vintage art is a stylish idea.

A vintage black and white gallery wall with mismatching frames and vintage art is a stylish idea.

A vintage style gallery wall with mismatching frames and lot sof colorful floral art for a refined and bright touch.

A vintage style gallery wall with mismatching frames and lot sof colorful floral art for a refined and bright touch.

A vintage-inspired gallery wall with gold and dark frames, with vintage art and prints is very chic.

A vintage-inspired gallery wall with gold and dark frames, with vintage art and prints is very chic.

Using a picture ledge leaves a lot of freedom to change things up whenever you like, without having to break out the hammer and nails every time. The most appealing way to display art on picture ledges is by layering it. Place the larger pieces behind and layer smaller ones in front. Shelf gallery walls can also be good for renters who are unable to put a lot of holes in the wall. Get inspired by the pics we’ve gathered!

An eclectic gallery wall with various art and mismatching frames plus some pretty souvenirs is very cool.

An eclectic gallery wall with various art and mismatching frames plus some pretty souvenirs is very cool.

An eclectic gallery wall with various types of art in mismatching frames is amazing and looks wow.

An eclectic gallery wall with various types of art in mismatching frames is amazing and looks wow.

An elegant gallery wall with mismatching gold and dark frames, with a clock and pretty paintings is wow.

An elegant gallery wall with mismatching gold and dark frames, with a clock and pretty paintings is wow.

An elegant monochromatic gallery wall in black, white and neutrals, with prints and photos that inspire and impress.

An elegant monochromatic gallery wall in black, white and neutrals, with prints and photos that inspire and impress.

An elegant symmetrical gallery wall with matching white frames and colorful family pics is always a good idea to rock.

An elegant symmetrical gallery wall with matching white frames and colorful family pics is always a good idea to rock.

An exquisite gallery wall with mismatching black frames and black and white artworks is a very chic idea to rock.

An exquisite gallery wall with mismatching black frames and black and white artworks is a very chic idea to rock.

An inspiring symmetrical gallery wall with colorful photos from vacations in matching wood frames will raise your best memories.

An inspiring symmetrical gallery wall with colorful photos from vacations in matching wood frames will raise your best memories.

An oversized gallery wall that takes the whole wall and shows off mismatching artworks and frames is all chic.

An oversized gallery wall that takes the whole wall and shows off mismatching artworks and frames is all chic.