Incorporating a gallery wall into any space is a great way to modernize your home and show off a bit of personality. I love displaying photos and eclectic artwork on my walls, and styling them as a gallery helps up the ante of my home decor.
Given the amount of Pinterest-worthy snaps of gallery walls that we see on social media, creating one on your own can seem a bit daunting. But they’re actually a fairly simple and cost-effective way to spruce up any space.
Here are seven key tips if you’re in the process of, or thinking about, incorporating a gallery wall into your home that’ll make the process much less intimidating:
Plan your layout on the floor first.
This is crucial in making sure the proportions, spacing and overall look of your gallery wall is cohesive. Don’t start tacking or hammering until you’ve had a chance to see all the pieces together in the layout you’re envisioning. That way, you can move things around with ease and see it in front of you before committing.
I did this in Home Goods when picking out my frames. I gathered the ones I liked, and laid them out in one of the aisles before purchasing. I looked a little crazy, but it was worth it in the long run.
Pick one piece as a focal point to start.
Start with one photo or piece of art that is the most eye-catching. From there, build out the gallery around it. That way, you’ll always have a base to refer to and can pull together like-minded items.
Also, don’t feel pressured to put this piece directly in the middle, it’s okay to have it in the corner and from there grow outward and upward. This is especially useful when making a gallery wall in a more unconventional space (more on that later).
Do your own framing, or find an affordable alternative.
Personally, I frame all of my photos and artwork myself. I usually purchase them from Home Goods, which has an amazing variety of good quality frames.
However, there are some affordable alternatives like Framebridge that do all the work for you. All you have to do is send them the image file or mail over a hard copy and they handle the rest. Their framing prices range from $39 to $209. And they also offer a gallery wall consultation if you’re looking for a little extra help.
Mix and match.
Your gallery wall doesn’t have to be made up of all photos, or all artwork–it’s okay to mix things up. You can incorporate framed photos, with artwork, sculptures, and keepsakes. This adds even more personality and texture to your display.
Grow it over time.
Don’t feel pressure to finish your gallery wall all at once. Continue adding and making changes over time as your tastes and the look of your home evolves. Take this into account when measuring and leave space on the outer edges or between pieces for any additions.
Be open with the location.
Gallery walls aren’t solely reserved for big blank horizontal wall space. One, not all of us have that in our homes and two, that may not be everyone’s style. You can display a gallery wall along a staircase, around furniture, windows, a fireplace and so forth.
Use Command Strips and a tape measurer.
For those of us who are still renting, using frame hanging strips comes in extremely handy. Putting together a gallery wall can cause a lot of holes–especially if you make any mistakes. So, I recommend purchasing heavy-duty Command Strips that can be removed from your wall cleanly. Also, the tape measurer is your best friend. It’s important to the overall look of your gallery that you evenly space each item.
Have a gallery wall in your home? Be sure to share your personal tips in the comments section!
