The Art of Creating a Gallery Wall
The Art of Creating a Gallery Wall
Gallery walls have been around since the early days of interior design, but they've recently become even more popular thanks to the rise of the Maximalist design trend. At the heart of maximalism is the idea of collecting and displaying pieces that reflect your personality and tell your story. The good news is, you don't have to be a maximalist to enjoy the look of a gallery wall. Even if you prefer a more minimalist style, a thoughtfully arranged gallery wall can add character and warmth to your home.
Here are a few ideas to help you create your own gallery wall.
1. Choose Your Theme
When I create a gallery wall within one of the four Montgomery’s showrooms, the first thing I do is choose a theme.
If I'm styling the modern side of the store, I'll select larger abstract pieces with a similar color palette while mixing different sizes, shapes, textures, and frame styles. Since these pieces are larger, I don't need as many to make an impact.
When I'm decorating a more traditional space, I lean toward smaller pieces featuring landscapes, architecture, portraits, and still-life artwork in a variety of frame styles and sizes. Traditional gallery walls often feel especially meaningful because they're made up of artwork collected over many years and from many different places.
Of course, a gallery wall doesn't have to be made up of artwork. Family photos make a beautiful gallery wall, too. Many of us have seen, or created, the classic family photo wall going up a staircase. To give that look a fresh update, try mixing in a variety of frame styles and sizes instead of using matching frames. This simple change makes your collection feel more intentional, personal, and as though it has been thoughtfully gathered over time.
2. Choose Your Location
One of the best things about gallery walls is how versatile they are. They can create a stunning focal point in almost any room.
Some of my favorite places for a gallery wall include a grand staircase, above a sofa, along a long hallway, or in a reading room or home library. Be sure not to overlook smaller spaces like a bathroom, home office, or entryway. A well-designed gallery wall can make even a compact room feel more interesting.
Hanging artwork from lower on the wall to higher toward the ceiling can also make a room feel larger by naturally drawing your eye throughout the space. Once you've chosen your location, you can determine the size of your artwork and approximately how many pieces you'll need to fill the wall.
3. Hang Your Gallery Wall
This is usually the most intimidating part, but I promise it's easier than it seems if you follow a few simple steps.
Start by gathering all of your artwork and arranging it on the floor until you're happy with the layout. I usually begin with a focal piece in the center and build outward from there.
Next, keep the spacing between each piece consistent. I typically leave about 1 to 2 inches between frames, depending on the size of the artwork.
As you arrange your pieces, avoid lining up the tops, bottoms, or sides of neighboring frames. Instead, stagger each piece so the layout feels balanced and natural. This keeps your eye moving around the entire display rather than focusing on one straight line.
Before you start hanging, take a photo of your final layout. Then use painter's tape to mark the overall size of your gallery wall on the wall itself. Begin by hanging your center piece and work outward, referring back to your photo as needed. I also recommend leaving the remaining artwork on the floor until you're ready for each piece so everything stays organized.
I hope this inspires you to create the gallery wall you've always wanted. It's one of the easiest ways to give your home a polished, designer-inspired look. Pieces you might never think to pair together often come together beautifully in the organized creativity of a gallery wall and that's what makes each one completely unique.
Yours in Design,
Karli
Every month, Karli dives into the world of design and shares her knowledge on the newest design trends in the "Design Pulse", in which she offers thoughtful insight on the trends that are shaping the design world today, and keeping an eye on what is coming next next! Click below to read more editions of Design Pulse!
