Your home is your haven. It’s a space to relax after a long day, a safe place to reflect on memories and dream of the future, and a spot for your family and friends to gather to create great new memories!

Design a bold, fun gallery wall to showcase your personality along with your favorite artwork and photos.  A beautiful collection of photos and artwork can transform a plain wall into a visual masterpiece that reflects your unique taste and experiences. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the process of designing a gallery wall that not only enhances your living space but also tells a story.

Step 1: Define Your Style and Theme

Before diving into the world of frames and artwork, take a moment to consider your personal style and the theme you want to convey. Are you drawn to a more eclectic, bohemian vibe with a mix of frames and styles, or do you prefer a clean and modern aesthetic with uniform frames?  The vibe you choose will influence the types of artwork and frames you select. Search gallery wall inspiration on Pinterest or Instagram to explore different styles of gallery walls. This can help generate ideas, but please don’t feel like you have to copy any one look entirely. I find a lot of “inspiration” online might look great on first glance but lacks personality and doesn’t tell a story when you actually study it closer. So don’t get sucked into making your theme “bland” or “vanilla.” Dig a little deeper and find the YOU that you want to express in your home.

Step 2: Selecting the Right Wall

Choosing the perfect wall for your gallery display is crucial. But you can’t just magically make a giant beautiful blank space appear in your house, so be flexible and work with what you have. Don’t try to overwhelm a space by cramming too much into a tight spot.  Match the artwork to the area you have available. Smaller pieces that might get lost in a giant open space might thrive in the intimacy of a little nook or strip of wall between two windows. A wide open space is perfect for pieces that catch your eye and draw you in. Typically, the wall directly opposite the main seating area works well, as it becomes a focal point for the room. Empty spaces on stair wells, over desks, and hallways are also great spots to add a pop of personality with a gallery wall. Consider factors like lighting and spacing to ensure that your gallery wall will be visible and well-lit. Keep in mind that the wall color can also impact the overall aesthetic, so choose a backdrop that complements your artwork. Bright colored walls can make black and white photos pop, and neutral walls can accommodate bright artwork without detracting from it.

Step 3: Gather Your Artwork and Photos

Let your favorite memories shine

Now comes the fun part: selecting the pieces that will adorn your gallery wall. This is an opportunity to showcase a mix of personal photographs and artwork to tell a story that is uniquely you. Aim for a balance of sizes, shapes, and textures to create visual interest. Family photos, travel snapshots, and even small sculptures can all find a place in your gallery.

Choosing what to include

The whole point of a gallery wall is to share your favorite memories and things in an organized manner. Finally give your smaller art pieces the space they need to shine with a gallery wall display. More importantly, get your favorite photos off your phone and display them the way they deserve to be enjoyed! I am so guilty of this and haven’t updated the photos in my home in a few years. So this is for me as much as you!  

Sift through your collection of art prints, photos, posters, etc., selecting pieces that resonate on a personal level. (Maybe grab a coffee; this will probably take a while!)  Choose artwork and photographs that make you smile, taking you back to moments of joy and laughter. These pieces aren’t just decorations; they are the visual echoes of your journey through life. By prioritizing your favorites, your gallery wall becomes an intimate reflection of your life, each frame a testament to the stories that have shaped you.

This might take time, but you’ll l thank yourself later when each glance at your gallery wall becomes a reminder of the people, places, and moments that hold a special place in your heart. As you hang these pieces, you not only craft a visually stunning living room but also weave a tapestry of memories that will continue to inspire and uplift, making your gallery wall a truly personal and meaningful masterpiece.

Adding Art to Photos

If you find you have plenty of photos, but not much in the way of wall art, you can gather your favorite pictures and buy art prints inspired by them. For example, if  your photos and memories are from hiking, find posters or art that features the landscape you were hiking in. If you want to remember a specific city, look for some beautiful pop art featuring that city’s skyline. If the thread that ties all your pictures together is happy memories, then choose art featuring your favorite flowers and colors to make you smile. Just remember; don’t buy art to fill a space. Buy artwork that you respond to emotionally that will cheer and encourage you as you enjoy your space.

Step 4: Choose Frames and Layout

Consistency is key when it comes to framing. Opt for frames that share a common element, whether it’s color, material, or style. This will help create a cohesive look, even if your artwork is diverse. Experiment with different frame sizes and matting options to add depth and dimension. You can add a large mat to tiny art pieces or photos to help them take up a bigger visual space so they don’t get lost in the gallery. Larger pieces might benefit from being framed simply so act as an eye-catcher without totally overwhelming the other pieces in the gallery.

When it comes to the layout, there are various approaches to consider:

• A Grid Layout: Create a clean and organized look by arranging your artwork in a grid pattern. This works well for a more modern, structured feel. It also “contains” and unifies a large variety of pieces and makes them work together well.
• Salon-style: Embrace a more eclectic and bohemian vibe by arranging your pieces in a salon-style layout. This involves mixing and matching frames and sizes for a curated, collected-over-time appearance. I love this vibe. Thrifting various frames can save money and look great together with a little work. In my bathroom I used a variety of photos, but spray painted them all white to create a cohesive while still being creative.
• Symmetrical: For a classic and timeless look, arrange your artwork symmetrically. This is especially effective if you have a collection of similar pieces or a series of prints. You can start with a Main image in the center, then mirror smaller pieces on each side to make a balanced wall gallery.

Step 5: Test Your Layout Before Committing

Regardless of which layout you decide on, test it laid out on floor before you get too hammer happy and start hanging things up you’ll have to change later. Play around with different arrangements until you find the one that feels just right. Squint at it to get a feel for the balance of color and sizes without being distracted by detail. Take a photo of each arrangement to reference when you start hanging the pieces on the wall. Once you have the general idea, go the extra mile and tweak everything to make sure it fits perfectly within the confines of your wall. Make sure the gaps between paintings are just what you want them to be and mark the boundaries of your gallery (where the wall ends etc.) This way you can measure off your “test gallery” on the floor when hanging them up for real.

Step 6: Hanging Your Gallery Wall

Once you’ve settled on the perfect layout, it’s time to bring your gallery wall to life. I have commitment issues with my decorating, so making a perfectly laid out test gallery on the floor is a huge help when I’m stalling on putting holes in the wall!  First I measure off my gallery space to find the center of the space. Then I find the center of my test gallery on the floor and start with the center frames to anchor the gallery. Next, simply measure off the main center piece to hang the surrounding frames just right. If you make any little mistakes, you can adjust the surrounding frames to correct them.  Be careful and be willing to correct a crooked hang job while you are working. If something is “off” and bugs you the first time, it will aggravate you every time!  You can use a level to ensure your frames are straight, but I usually just eye it up. Take your time with this step; a well-hung gallery wall can make a significant impact on the overall look of your living room.

Step 7: Finishing Touches

Hurray, your gallery wall is almost complete, but don’t forget the finishing touches. Consider adding decorative elements like wall sconces, shelves, or potted plants to enhance the visual appeal. Ensure that your lighting complements your artwork, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Enjoy your hard work, but don’t feel like because your original gallery is finally up on the wall, you can never change it.  Continue tweaking artwork, adding frames and changing out pictures as time goes on to keep your gallery wall current and fresh.

In Conclusion

Designing a gallery wall for your living room is a creative and rewarding endeavor that allows you to showcase your personality and experiences. By carefully selecting artwork, frames, and layout, you can transform a blank wall into a captivating focal point. Take your time, enjoy the process, and let your gallery wall tell a story that resonates with you and your family for years to come. Do you like my art? Check out my shop here for wall art that will make you smile!