We love a good gallery wall for so many reasons but the main one being that they are a classic touch to any room. A gallery wall can also be an eclectic way to show off your personal style. We get it though; it can feel like a daunting task to get a gallery wall started. This is why we wanted to give you some of our favorite tips and tricks to help you master your next gallery wall design!

First Things First

Here are some tips to help you start off on the right foot (and not create a lot of unnecessary holes in your wall!).

1. Measure your wall and/or the space that you want the gallery wall to fit. Consider if you want to use the entire wall or just a portion. Also, if you are planning to hang your gallery wall over a mantle or piece of furniture, measure to ensure that you find the center of the piece and start hanging correctly!

2. Ideally, your next step would be to lay out your wall perimeters on the floor. This can be accomplished by using large rolls of paper, taped to the correct size. You could even use painters tape to create the correct shape on your floor as well.

3. Next, it is time to lay out your gallery wall. This step allows you to play with your gallery wall to ensure that the art looks good together, move shapes around, create different grids or displays, and replace anything that you may decide to not use. PRO TIP: When laying out everything, we recommend keeping items 2-4 inches apart to ensure that your wall isn’t too crowded!

Create A Cohesive Color Palette

While this tip is contingent on personal preference, we recommend creating a cohesive color palette to get you started. This could look like sticking to pieces that have similar tones or shades of color. This could be using the same color of frame for your pieces or sticking to different shades of pinks and reds. If you prefer a more neutral look, this tip will definitely be helpful for you. If you are wanting a more eclectic gallery wall, this tip may be less important.

Start With A Large Piece First

Our next tip is to find the largest piece of your gallery wall and use it as the anchor! This large piece can go directly in the middle or if you would like to add a unique twist, try adding it off center or as a corner feature. We typically prefer something more off-centered so that your eye while travel around to the entire installation instead of right in the middle. The best placement for large pieces can be dependent on the size of the gallery so don’t be afraid to play around to find what works best for you.

Spread Large Pieces Out

Once you find the placement of the largest piece, continue to the next largest piece, and so on. Try placing the larger pieces diagonally from one another - either right next to each other or across the wall. After all the large pieces are placed, the hard part is done! Simply add your smaller pieces in and voila! Gallery wall finished.

Mix Orientations & Shapes

You can ensure that you keep your gallery wall interesting by mixing orientation and shapes in your gallery wall. If your larger pieces are horizontal, try adding smaller pieces that are vertical and vice versa. Also, adding small grids into your gallery wall can be a great option! Taking 2-4 pieces to add some uniformity amongst the eclectic arrangement can add some great balance.

Don’t be afraid to add funky shaped frames or decor like round frames, pieces that stand off the wall, or uniquely shaped tapestries. We love adding a piece of textile, a sculptural item, a flag, or hooped embroidery to mix things up!

Mix Colors and Patterns

With the last tip in mind, don’t be afraid to mix-up the types of frames and pieces on the wall. The larger the gallery wall, the more colors you can utilize! If you are concerned about your gallery wall looking too chaotic, try sticking to our Rule of Threes: three colors, three shapes, and three types of pieces. You can go for a classic look of blacks and whites with a pop of color (or a pattern!). You could also pick three different types of stained wood (light, medium, and dark). If you are wanting a more eclectic look, pick a bright base color, a darker secondary color, and then a neutral to tie them all together. Looking up a color wheel can help you find the best combinations that would work well for your home!

Float Mounts Are Your Friend

If you feel overwhelmed by the search for frames or if you are wanting to add an elevated touch to your gallery wall, try a float mount and/or floating frames. Anything placed in a floating frame can instantly become a classy piece. Whether you are floating a piece of your kid’s artwork, a polaroid, or a vintage postcard, it is as easy as popping it in. Here are some of our favorite floating frame options:

1. Ikea Lerboda Frame // 2. Umbra Phantom Wall Frame // 3. Pottery Barn Wood Floating Gallery Frames // 4. Shadow Box Display Case // 5. Anthropologie Olivia Frame // 6. Anthropolgie Estelle Hanging Frame

Add A Personal Touch

In our opinion, anything can be art! We also believe that our homes are one of the most beautiful ways to display our life stories. Maybe you will add a ticket stub of your first date with your partner, or maybe a framed piece of your grandmother’s wedding dress. What if you displayed an old family photograph or the lyrics to your favorite song? No matter what personal touch you decide to add, you will not regret the warm-fuzzies that you will get when you look at your gallery wall and see a piece of your history.

Take Heart. Take Flight.

-Travel Patterns Team