How to put together a gallery wall according to design professionals

• A gallery wall is a great opportunity to turn your memories into a striking work of art.
• Make sure to always take time to draw out your layout before you start hammering.
• Mixing different frames and mediums will result in an even more interesting statement piece.

A gallery wall is one of the most striking yet cost-effective ways to add a touch of visual interest to a blank wall; it's great for showcasing memories or smaller pieces of art while commanding the attention of a given room.

There can be a lot of trepidation when it comes to curating a gallery wall in your own home - but filling your walls with unique and joyous pieces requires no budget or pretentious art world prerequisites. "All you have to do is pick pieces that make you feel something," shares Candita Clayton, the renowned gallerist behind Candita Clayton Gallery in Pawtucket, RI. "If that's your jumping-off point, you'll be able to make anything work."

If you've never been sure how to get started, these expert tips promise to take all the stress out of curating and executing your own gallery wall at home.

Identify the subject matter

According to Jessica Davis, interior designer at JL Design, the very first thing to do is take a step back and really decide what your subject matter will be. Is this gallery wall going to be family photos only, children's art, travel photos/memorabilia - or an eclectic mix of all of the above?

Let the frames tell the story

"When hanging one's own art collection and gallery, I would emphasize that the frame tells part of the art story, and frame selection is important to the process," says Lisa Howie, curator consultant to the Hamilton Princess Hotel's contemporary art collection. "Simple, minimal frames for example can help to communicate the art," she says. "This allows the art to really stand out on its own."

Start with a template

According to Nikki N. Klugh, owner and principal designer at Nikki Klugh Design Group, Inc., a template will give you an idea of what the final product will look like and show you where to hang each frame - but it will also allow you to see exactly how many frames and pieces of art you'll need to ensure a full gallery wall.

Whether you're doing an organic pattern - where things feel random but are actually very intentionally placed - or a linear pattern like a grid, proper planning will allow you to plan exactly what size frames you'll need to achieve the desired look.

Nail the sizing

"A good rule of thumb for gallery wall sizing is to keep the entire collection between two-thirds to four-fifths of the size of the wall," shares Klugh. "This ensures your art piece fits on the wall perfectly. Not too big, not too small. Just right."

Consider adding mirrors

"I suggest incorporating mirrors into the space," shares Alex Bass, art historian at Salon 21. "They make the space feel larger and the art pieces look more dynamic."

Leave some pieces unframed

Frames can get expensive, but if you're more avant-garde, Bass suggests considering mixing frames or even keeping some pieces (specifically canvas) unframed. "The texture mix creates a visually appealing approach," Bass explains.

Opt for eclectic art and photography

You might be tempted to opt for a matching series of prints or photography, but Bass suggests collecting from all over. "Seek out friends' pieces, Etsy finds, or even your own photos," says Bass.

Howie also suggests opting for mismatched frames if you're looking for a more eclectic aesthetic - which can help cut down the cost of exclusively buying new and uniform frames. "Other more ornate frames can add layers of narrative," she explains. "For example, a gold hand-carved frame may be best for an artwork that is historic."

Quick tip: If you're going for the mismatched look, thrift stores often have tons of frames you can pick up on a budget.

Don't overlook symmetry and balance

"It's important for the grouping as a whole to have some symmetry and balance," explains Lisa Modica, interior designer at Cherry Tree Interior Design. Consider choosing pieces of complementary sizes to place on either side of your gallery in order to ensure a symmetrical shape.

How to hang a gallery wall

Now that you've got a concept and design, you actually have to hang it on the wall! It requires some patience and planning, but these steps take the guesswork out of the process, ensuring you end up with an aesthetically pleasing statement wall.

1. Tape up a template. "I like to advise people to trace the outside of their frames onto large paper, cut them out, and move them around on the wall with painters' tape," shares Modica.
   
   "You can then really see the symmetry, measure out spacing, and get it completely right before you start banging nails into your wall." You can then hang your gallery pieces directly over the designated paper and then just tug the paper right out.
2. Start at about six feet from the floor. A mistake lots of people make is not hanging their wall art at the correct height, says Modica. Generally speaking, the center of the piece should be about six feet from the floor.
   
   For a gallery wall, treat the entire grouping as one piece to determine height. Find the center of your grouping and place it six feet from the floor, then complete the other pieces around it.
3. Place the largest piece in the center. "For almost all gallery walls, it looks best to have the largest piece in the center and smallest on the outside," says Modica.
   
   "You can play with this by tucking small pieces throughout a bit, but be sure your largest frames are in the center. Otherwise, it gives a feeling of being weighted wrong and off-kilter."
4. Watch for spacing issues. According to Chris Alexakis, Director of Product & Design and Co-founder of Cabinet Select, when a gallery wall looks uneven or awkward, the chances are high that the problem lies in a frame's spacing distance.
   
   "An even distance makes the gallery wall cleaner and does not look cramped," says Alexakis. "In general, aim for three to six inches of space between each artwork for the best results."
5. Place smaller pieces moving from the center out. Placing smaller pieces along the perimeter of your collection of larger frames will help to foster an aesthetically pleasing and balanced look.
   
   You should also consider adding additional small-sized frames as needed to patch up any bare spots you might have overlooked.
6. Level each and every frame. Leveling matters! Be sure your pieces are all level on their own and with each other.
   
   "An inexpensive level, a pencil, and some string is really all you need," says Modica. "Be aware that if your ceiling isn't quite level, it might make your level gallery wall look crooked, so adjust accordingly."
7. Add art gallery putty. A simple, yet crucial tool for hanging a gallery wall is art gallery putty. Once your beautiful arrangement is in place on your wall, Klugh suggests using putty at the bottom two corners of every frame to ensure your gorgeous piece always stays in place and level.

Quick tip: You can always swap in new art to switch things up. Clayton suggests that with more abstract pieces you could even rotate the configuration of the art and its placement to refresh your space.

Insider's takeaway

Although a gallery wall looks like it requires minimum effort for very aesthetically pleasing results, there are certain steps you need to take in order to ensure your wall looks properly balanced and level. Opt for quirky art, silly photo memories, and even second-hand frames or unframed canvases - but don't overlook the importance of planning out your layout and taking care to properly space out and level each and every frame.

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