Have you ever seen an amazing gallery wall in a magazine or on Pinterest and thought…YESSS…That’s exactly what I’m looking for? However, when you started pulling out frames and buying canvases, no matter how you arranged them, you just couldn’t recreate the look you were going for. You’re not alone! Gallery wall ideas are abundant on the internet, but creating a gallery wall that has variation and yet is appealing to the eye is a skill!
You can’t just toss some canvases on the wall, there’s a bit of a science to it. This is especially true if you’re trying to do it on a budget and incorporate pieces you already own. It’s tough, but it’s not impossible. Here are a few gallery wall ideas and tips to help you make the most of your wall space!
Basic Gallery Wall Ideas: Tips for Creating a Cohesive Look
In a minute, I’ll show you a few photographs of functional gallery walls and walk you through why they work so well, but first, let’s cover some basic tips on how to arrange a gallery wall because you inevitably will not be working with exactly the same size, shape, and number of paintings as in the inspiration photos. Here are some things to think about.
1. What size wall space are you working with?
When sifting through gallery wall ideas, you have to consider your own space. Measure it…length and height. The most impactful wall art will fill at least 60% of the wall space, but I prefer to go for 75%. Whether you use large pieces or opt for many small ones, consider how you will fill the space.
2. Look for a common thread.
In this article, we will be mixing media, sizes, and shapes to create intricate gallery wall ideas. However, a gallery wall is really one big art installation, and there should be cohesion. This unity can come from the color palette, a repeating shape, a harmonious mood or vibe, or a uniform canvas size.
3. Play with the arrangement.
The best way to find your perfect layout is to arrange your art pieces on a large floor space, a space the same size as your wall space. To do this, take some masking tape and create a border the size of your wall space to help you. If you really want to get fancy (and save yourself some time in the long run) cut and tape together brown craft paper to fit within your taped border.
Work with the art until you like the arrangement. Then, take a sharpie and trace each frame or art piece onto the paper. Remove the art. Measure to the center of each of your Sharpie tracings, and put a dot. This will be your horizontal reference for where to place nails for hanging the art. Remember, to measure any lip on your paintings or frames and take that into account when finding your vertical placement.
When finished, you can tape your brown paper draft to the wall, and place nails or your preferred hanging device on the dots you have already measured. This will ensure that your paintings hang just as you arranged them.
10 Inspiring Gallery Walls for Every Room
Alright, let’s jump into some visual inspiration and find your next masterpiece!
1. Cohesive Living Room Gallery Wall
I love this vibrant and playful gallery wall idea for a living space. It includes a series of paintings that are not the same but definitely belong to a set. Though each piece is different in form and even size, the recurrent colors and cohesive vibe of the art make the scheme feel organized. Playful combinations like this can feel overwhelming for viewers at times, but this one is visually exciting without being chaotic.
Pro Tip: Notice that the designer has chosen two frames for the center of the gallery wall that are the same width. This creates a vertical column that helps ground the piece. The two paintings in the center are also where the most vibrant concentration of color lies. This tactic draws the eye to the center and gives the viewer a clear focal point to start their viewing experience.
2. Eclectic Dining Room Gallery Wall Ideas
Gallery walls in real homes are often filled with sentimental objects or photographs…things you’ve collected while traveling or inherited from family. Some of the most creative gallery wall ideas involve a seemingly random collection of memorabilia. But again, without some strategy, this idea can get really visually overwhelming.
Pro Tip: In order to contain the chaos, the artist here has constrained the color palette to warm neutrals and has created an invisible rectangular border with the hanging scheme. These two details ensure that the eye is drawn to the uniqueness of each object instead of being overwhelmed by a random mess.
3. Entryway Gallery Wall Ideas
Your entryway is the first thing guests see, so why not make it inviting? I adore this one-of-a-kind creation by LizMarie. Entryways are often oddly shaped and can be a waste of space. Taking advantage of the side of the staircase to create a unique gallery wall is brilliant!
Pro Tip: Notice that Liz has mimicked the angle and shape of the staircase with the hanging of her photos and mementos. The height of each photo frame is approximately equal to the height of each step. This attention to detail creates a space that feels homey yet perfectly curated.
4. Simple and Traditional Staircase Gallery Wall Ideas
Transforming your staircase into an art gallery can add charm to your home. It’s a wall space that often goes neglected because aren’t sure how to make it work. I love this simple and traditional gallery wall idea of neutral photos of approximately the same size, hung in a stair step fashion that mimics the staircase itself.
It’s clean, easy to accomplish, and looks fantastic!
5. Bright and Functional Kitchen Gallery Wall
This adorable kitchen space obviously belongs to someone with some personality, but what I love about it aside from that is that it’s functional. Kitchens above all should be able to be used! Consider colorful prints give off a cheerful vibe, making cooking even more enjoyable, and the open shelving and utensil hanging racks provide easy access to your most used serving items.
6. Funky Home Office or Creative Space
A vibrant art wall can provide stress relief and inspiration in your home office or craft room. Colorful pieces that spark joy and creativity create an inviting atmosphere for productivity. Adding some greenery nearby can enhance the overall vibe and make the space even more refreshing.
Pro Tip: For a modern space, I love to stick to oversized pieces that fill the wall space, are the same size and shape, and are hung in a straight line. This produces a crisp gallery wall that would feel just as at home in a modern art museum as it does in your office!
7. Bedroom Serenity with Minimalist Art
A gallery wall doesn’t have to be huge or cluttered. A very minimalist art wall can elevate the calmness of your bedroom while adding a simple chicness to the space. Simple frames with blank spaces invite creativity and relaxation. Adding a few soft textures nearby enhances the cozy vibe, making your space a peaceful retreat.
Pro Tip: Notice the size of the frames perfectly mimics the width of the headboard. This simple trick makes the space feel tidy and organized.
8. Tranquil Bathroom Touches
Your bathroom is your personal space. It’s a place where you can get creative and that’s why I love this gallery wall idea made from a collection of vintage prints, framed greenery, and ornate mirrors! By painting the mirrors with aged brass, the creator has made this collection of mirrors in every shape and size feel cohesive.
9. Outdoor Patio with Flair
“Go big or go home,” they say, and that’s exactly what Cool Gardens did for this client. Like many homes in the UK and parts of the US, the homeowner is using a hedge wall as a fence. This gallery wall idea uses empty frames, mirrors, framed art, and even a TV to create an outdoor gallery that’s drool-worthy!
When your outdoor space is limited, you need to use every square inch to make an impact, so I love how the designer has utilized a functional aspect of the yard to its maximum impact. By going vertical and thinking outside the box, the designer has created a space that feels totally unique.
10. Children’s Playroom Imaginative Art
Bright wall decor combined with playful elements creates a joyful environment for imagination in this children’s playroom. While some attention to symmetry and color palette is definitely applied here, you have more freedom in a child’s space to get carefree! Have fun creating your child’s gallery wall.
Pro Tip: I love the idea of hanging sensory or fine motor skills toys on the wall as part of your gallery wall. Think sand art, Etch-A-Sketches, wooden bead sliders, or colorful panels with different latches for them to practice opening and shutting. In a child’s room, hang your pieces a bit lower so they can enjoy and interact with the art as well!
Time to Create Your Gallery Wall!
That’s it folks, there’s my vote for the ten best gallery wall ideas to fill every room of your house with individual flair! It’s time to stop looking at the empty wall space and get busy decorating! Gather any items you have that want to display, refresh your memory on the tips above for creating organization from chaos, and start experimenting. Good luck!
For more wall art ideas, check out our ideas for Beginner-Friendly DIY Wall Art!
