How to Create a Gallery Wall Like a Pro

Are you one of those people who leave their small pictures and art lying around? Have you always wanted to hang them but didn’t know how, or thought it'd take too much work?

Yeah, we get that.

A lot of folks come to us and say that hanging things on the wall can be pretty intimidating. But what if we told you that it only takes about 5 minutes and that it’s easier than baking a cake?

Setting up your own gallery wall at home is actually super simple. It even makes for an exciting DIY picture hanging project that doesn’t eat up too much of your time. If you don’t know where to start, we got you. Here's a bunch of picture hanging ideas and gallery wall layouts you can try!

Three is a great number when it comes to design. According to Apartment Therapy, things arranged in odd numbers like three are more intriguing and memorable than their even-numbered counterparts. 

Three also happens to be the smallest number that can be used to make a pattern in our heads. Just seeing an odd number of things just makes a more fun visual experience, don’t you think?

For a more modern take on wall displays, you can try using unusual frames that veer away from the way our grandmas used to display family photos. Using non-traditional frames like this can really bring out your artsy side. 
 

Hanging frames literally bring out the “hang” in hanging picture frames. Instead of hiding the wire behind the frame, these frames allow you to show it and make a statement. Another great thing about unusual frames is that they already come with their own hangers. All that’s left for you to do is put a nail on the wall and hang it up.

🌟 Designer’s tip: mix and match different frame sizes for a playful look. When arranged beautifully, having variety is pretty exciting to look at.

Another way to showcase your small framed art is by letting it lean using picture ledges, also known as ledge wall shelves. This laid-back style of displaying photos and art doesn’t involve a lot of measuring, drilling, and complicated picture hangers.

This idea is perfect for people who like changing things up every now and then. Using the ledges gives you the freedom to play around with your art display as much as you’d like.  

A gallery wall is a collection of framed artwork, photographs, and other personal keepsakes that is hung together as a group. It’s one of the best ways to liven up an empty space. 

Here’s a quick guide to creating your own gallery wall.

1. Pick a spot for your gallery wall.
2. Pick a color scheme and vibe.
3. Curate the artwork.
4. Select the frames and mat size.
5. Layout and hang the frames.

Check out these gallery wall layouts you can choose from:

There is no right or wrong way to do it, but we’ve listed down some useful tips and fun ideas that you can follow to achieve a Pinterest-worthy gallery wall.

The less you have on the wall, the more captivating it is. It elevates your space and makes your art look expensive. More than that, it doesn’t overwhelm whoever is looking at your wall display. You can follow the Triptych style mentioned earlier, which is all about hanging frames in a group of three.

You’ve probably heard of the saying, “opposites attract.” This idea follows more or less the same concept. It’s about grouping together contrasting ideas that actually stir up an interesting conversation.

Combine old with the new for an interesting contrast. Mix vintage and modern or happy and sad. You’d be surprised how good they look together despite being on opposite sides of the scale.

A gallery wall doesn’t have to be strictly uniform or symmetrical. Try mixing different materials together. Doing this will make your gallery wall look more fun and eclectic. Plus, it’s a great way to inject your personality into it.

An example of a mixed media gallery wall would have an oil painting, a photograph, or even a shadow box with your travel souvenirs.

Create a dramatic effect on your wall by selecting photos that tell a story. Stick to a theme and curate your gallery wall based on that.  

For a more modern and contemporary take on things, try matting down your art.

Matting refers to adding a thin, flat piece of paper-based material to your photo or artwork inside a frame. It serves as an additional decoration and a partition that separates the art from the glass.
 
You can do it yourself or you can visit your local craft store or go online for custom-made mats. 

🌟 Artist’s Tip: When matting your artwork, it’s better to use acid-free tape. Acidic tapes will cause your painting to yellow over time. Tape the corner and the sides to help secure and control warping.

Do what others are not doing. Use a bunch of clipboards in place of picture frames. Or use washi tapes as frames. This gives a fresh perspective on gallery walls that is both striking and fun. This idea works perfectly for art pieces that you don’t want to frame. 

We know you’re excited, but all these picture hanging ideas can be made possible only if you use the right picture hangers. 

Since we’re talking about small framed pictures and art, there are two ways to hang them. You can use either a sawtooth or a gallery system. Here’s how:

A sawtooth hanger is a small metal strip used to hang small pictures and lightweight art. All you have to do is attach it to the upper rail of the back of your frame.
 
There are different types of sawtooth hangers. The most common ones include Sawtooth Hangers with Screws, Nailess Sawtooth Hangers, and Plastic Sawtooth Adhesive to hang pictures without nails.

A gallery system is a unique way of hanging pictures or art on the wall. It’s composed of a discreet wall-mounted track, wire cables, and adjustable hooks. Even though a gallery system is bigger than a sawtooth, installing it is equally simple. 

Here's how:

This setup is ideal for galleries and commercial applications where frequent changes are made and greater capacity is required. However, it can be used at home too, especially if you have a bigger space.

So, there you have it: four creative ideas to hang your small pictures and art —triptych style, using hanging frames, letting it lean on shelves, and a gallery wall. All ideas are fun and easy to do, especially when you have the right picture hanging hardware.

So, what idea are you going to do on your wall? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!