May 20, 2022 / Decorate, Learn

For nearly four centuries, gallery walls have been a chosen aesthetic to bring blank walls and empty spaces to life. Originally called “salon walls,” this style of home décor has stood the test of time – and for good reason. They're perfect for beautifying, personalizing, and storytelling – whether it's family photos, depictions of nature, artistic paintings, or even clocks and mirrors and more!

So if you're wondering how to create this elevated look in your space, “hang” on and we'll have your project up and ready in no time. Here are 3 easy steps on how to hang your in-home gallery wall.

1. Choose Your Style

Let's get the ball rolling! This is where the most concepting will come into play. What look speaks to you and fits within your décor – symmetry? Eccentricity? Worldly or minimalistic?

What do you want your story to be about? Once you nail that down, try starting with a main center piece, then build around it with complementary ideas. Whatever you choose, the art should live well within the perfect frames for them, as the right framing makes all the difference with gallery walls.

Some styling ideas:

Modern Style

If you love clean lines and crisp profiles, a modern approach is a great place to start. Even and well-balanced, this style puts the eye at ease while drawing it towards the photos or prints. Picture frames with thin profiles like with metal frames will help to create your clean lines. Also, pairing each presentation with a wide, white mat can help make for a modern vibe.

Classic Style

The classics never go out of style. Unassuming yet showstopping, this décor turns your wall into a spectacle by letting your imagery do the talking. Set out with the goal of not overpowering the rest of your décor; simple black or white picture frames can achieve just that. Flatter profiles paired with a wide mat can help put your photos and prints at center stage.

Eclectic Style

Now's the time to roll the dice and remove any boundaries. Prints, posters, decals, mirrors – and a healthy mix of picture frames add fun and flair to this style! Combine a variety of periods, colors, textures, and shapes – and anything that makes you happy. Cohesive but with a random element, this perfectly imperfect style will win hearts and hold interest year after year.

2. Measure Up!

Measure Your Wall Space

Before embarking on your journey, it's best to take the lay of the land. Measure the area where you're hanging your gallery with a focus on keeping it centered (and around 6-8”) above any furniture that may be beneath it. A good rule of thumb is to measure approximately 60” from the floor to the middle of the art. It's also a good idea to leave a bit of extra space on either side of the gallery to support the symmetry of placement.

Measure Your Art

The numbers game is increasingly important with gallery walls. You'll want to consider the exact sizes of your picture frames, especially if you're using custom frames of differing sizes. Measure the height and width, as well as the distance from the top of the frame to the hanging wire where the nail will be.

Measure Between Picture Frames

Keeping proper “padding” between frames is key for a pleasing eye-flow. Most styles do well with the same measurement between artworks, especially with grid layouts or same-style frames. No matter your theme, an ideal distance would be between 2” to 6” of space between each frame.

Put It on Paper

Eyeballing your gallery wall is generally very risky; instead, we recommend mapping it out. This way, you'll know exactly where to place each nail, while ensuring all spacing remains consistent. Attach the paper map to your wall, hang accordingly, and then easily tear the paper away, leaving your wall perfectly in place.

3. Behold Your Instant Wall Overhaul

There's nothing quite like a tasteful gallery to transform one's living space. They evoke joy, peace, intrigue – whatever you envisioned during your creative process. You'll see such a difference – and we'd like to see it too! Tag us in your project on Instagram and Facebook with the hashtag #framingjoy and we'll show it off to our creative community. Happy hanging!