Your one stop guide to creating the perfect gallery wall

Do you have a wall in your home where you occasionally stop, look, and think to yourself: 'I've got a blank space, baby.' Yes, we did just quote Taylor Swift. Fear not, after reading this post you will no longer have break-up pop lyrics in your head every time you pass that empty wall.

We've created the ultimate guide to help you build a gallery wall layout that suits your style and space. Our easy-to-follow steps will allow you to navigate the process of curating and arranging a gallery wall that speaks your personality!

1. First steps: Defining your gallery wall vision

Before you start purchasing new pieces or hammering nails into the wall, it is important to take a moment to consider these first steps when creating a gallery wall.

Consider your space: Whether you have a small amount of wall space behind the sofa or an entire grand staircase area, your wall art should complement the size of your space. Begin by visualising where you want your gallery wall to be and how much wall space it should take up, by jotting down measurements you will save yourself time in the long run!

Think about the current room style: A gallery wall is one of the best ways to express your personality throughout the home, this is why it's important for it to fit in with the current décor. Take a look at the colours within the room and in any of your existing art pieces, this can help you find art that compliments your colour scheme and interior design style. Try to find wall art that suits the pieces you already own, instead of starting from complete scratch. 

Prefer to see it in action?! We met with the pros at Abstract House and played around with some gallery wall layouts:

Read Summer's tips here

2. Gallery wall ideas for small spaces

Image credit: My Bespoke Room

If you are struggling with a bare wall in the corner of your room or behind the bed, a gallery wall can create a big difference!

Even with limited space, you can still create an impactful gallery wall. By opting for two to four pieces of art in various frame styles and sizes you can add depth to your smaller space. Include watercolours, abstracts and even typography to create some character in the small part of your room. 

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3. Utilising large wall space

Just like it can be hard to make the most of a small wall space, it can also be difficult to fill a large wall space. A bigger space can allow for more creativity, we recommend choosing a dominant colour palette and finding different pieces that feature that scheme. By using matching frames that vary in size, you can develop a cohesive and put-together look.

4. Flexible gallery walls: the picture ledge

Image credit: My Bespoke Room

The picture ledge is the gymnast of gallery walls because of its flexibility; it allows you to rearrange and replace your artwork as much as you like. In terms of style, the picture ledge is, guess what, flexible! You could stick with a sleek monochrome design, add pops of colour, incorporate different shapes or go bold with a feature wall colour behind.

We are big fans of the picture ledge as it allows you to layer up your artwork and images to beautifully fill your space. By stacking pieces of varying sizes and orientations in front of each other, you can create a sense of depth that makes your eyes dance across the ledge!  

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5. Sleek and neat gallery wall layouts: styling in symmetry

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Do you remember at school when you would wear a uniform so you all looked, well, uniformed? Well, if your gallery wall layout is sleek and neat then make sure its tie knot is tightened and its skirt is the correct length. To execute this look, ensure that all the frames are the same size and style and mounted in equal proportions away from each other (we suggest to leave 7-10cm between each frame). Remember your times tables (yes, we are still pushing that school analogy) and make sure that the length of the rows is a factor of your total amount of frames so that it all lines up!

Image credit: My Bespoke Room

There can be some exceptions to the rule, because when is life ever that simple? You could incorporate 3-5 or even more differently sized frames to create a more playful look but to ensure you're still looking slick and orderly, keep the look symmetrical.

6. Asymmetrical gallery wall ideas: the in-between

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This style is for those searching for the middle ground. Asymmetrical gallery walls can be very simple and effective if you want that something in between the sleek and neat look and that eclectic WOW factor.

A small number of frames (5-8) can create a balanced, elegant layout. For a less rigid look use a larger number of frames and a wide variety of sizes or styles.

When arranging an asymmetrical gallery wall layout, consider arranging your pieces around a central mid-line; whether the line is horizontal or vertical, either way, will help you to maintain balance and flow on the wall. 

Looking for some room inspiration? Check out some of our designs:

7. Eclectic gallery wall: be daring

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You won't find two eclectic gallery walls the same. You just won't. However, there is a very slim chance of seeing an eclectic replica as there are so many different ways these can be arranged; the layout and styles depend on how daring you're feeling. We don't want to scare you off, as they can look very elegant and understated, as well as being quite flamboyant and 'out there.' Both are eye-catching and both are a statement.

You could have a play with different frames of different sizes, in different styles; with all that 'difference' it may be best to keep a cohesive colour palette throughout. Another option is to let one key piece be the centre of attention and arrange smaller frames around that spotlight fiend. The focal piece connects all the other pieces of art on the wall.

To avoid a cluttered look, consider creating boundaries within your eclectic gallery wall. This may involve grouping certain artworks with the same theme or colours together. Finally, you could create your masterpiece within a contained space, as everyone needs some boundaries, right? Giving your eclectic gallery wall some structure ensures that it won't look messy.

8. Putting your gallery wall together

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Now you are well-informed on all the gallery wall layout styles, you can start to select artwork that fits in with your chosen style and layout. Before hanging the pieces, use your floor as a planning space to arrange the artwork and test different layouts. 

And remember, the key to creating a successful gallery wall is to let your personality shine through and to choose pieces that resonate with you. Whether you opt for a sleek or eclectic mix, don't be afraid to experiment and have fun with your design! 

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